Risk factors associated with the likelihood of leptospiral seropositivity in horses in the state of New York.
Abstract: To determine and quantify risk factors associated with exposure of horses to the following serovars of Leptospira interrogans: pomona, autumnalis, and bratislava. Methods: 2,551 horses were randomly selected from a target population during the period of May 1991 to August 1993. Methods: Blood was collected from the horses and tested for antibodies to serovars, using the microscopic agglutination test. A titer > or = 1:100 indicated seropositivity. Information was collected on each horse, its environment, and each farm's management practices. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop a multidimensional indexing system for indices of exposure and to identify factors significantly-associated with the risk of seropositivity. These indices were: 1) rodent exposure; 2) wildlife exposure; 3) soil and water; and 4) management. Results: Rodent exposure index value was associated with the risk of exposure to all 3 serovars. Management index value was positively associated with the risk of exposure to serovars pomona and bratislava, but not with risk of exposure to serovar autumnalis. Soil and water index value had a positive association with risk of exposure to serovars pomona and autumnalis, but not to serovar bratislava. The wild-life index value and the population density of horses turned out together were associated with the risk of exposure to serovar autumnalis. Age of horse in years was associated nonlinearly (years) and linearly (years) with the risk of exposure to serovars autumnalis and bratislava, and only linearly with the risk of exposure to serovar pomona. Conclusions: Risk of seropositivity to the 3 serovars of L interrogans varies according to age, management practices, population density of horses turned out together, and the values of the rodent exposure, wildlife exposure, and soil and water indices.
Publication Date: 1997-11-05 PubMed ID: 9328661
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates the risk factors associated with horses in New York State testing positive for certain strains of Leptospira bacteria. The results reveal that factors such as rodent and wildlife exposure, soil and water conditions, farm management practices, and horse age all contribute to varying degrees of risk.
Study Methodology
- The study sample consisted of 2,551 horses randomly selected between May 1991 and August 1993.
- Blood samples were collected from each horse and tested for specific antibodies associated with certain strains of Leptospira bacteria using a microscopic agglutination test.
- A positive result, or seropositivity, was indicated by a titer score of >=1:100.
- Information was also collected about each horse’s environment, including data on rodent and wildlife exposure, soil and water conditions, and farm management practices.
- Logistic regression analysis was then used to identify factors most significantly associated with seropositivity.
Results and Findings
- The study found that rodent exposure was associated with increased risk of exposure to all three Leptospira serovars tested.
- The farm management practices were found to be positively associated with increased risk of exposure to two of the serovars, pomona and bratislava, but not to the third, autumnalis.
- Soil and water conditions were found to be associated with increased risk of exposure to pomona and autumnalis, but not to bratislava.
- Wildlife exposure and the density of horses kept together were associated with risk of exposure to autumnalis.
- The age of the horse was also found to be associated with risk of exposure, though the relationship varied depending on the specific serovar. The risk of exposure to serovars autumnalis and bratislava was found to increase both linearly and non-linearly with age, while risk of exposure to pomona increased only linearly with age.
Conclusion
- The risk of seropositivity in horses varies depending on several factors, including age, rodent and wildlife exposure, soil and water conditions, and farm management practices.
- Understanding these risk factors can help inform strategies for preventing and reducing exposure to Leptospira bacteria in equine populations.
Cite This Article
APA
Barwick RS, Mohammed HO, McDonough PL, White ME.
(1997).
Risk factors associated with the likelihood of leptospiral seropositivity in horses in the state of New York.
Am J Vet Res, 58(10), 1097-1103.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Agglutination Tests / veterinary
- Algorithms
- Animals
- Animals, Wild
- Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Environment
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses
- Leptospira interrogans / classification
- Leptospira interrogans / immunology
- Leptospirosis / epidemiology
- Leptospirosis / immunology
- Leptospirosis / veterinary
- Linear Models
- New York / epidemiology
- Random Allocation
- Regression Analysis
- Risk Factors
- Rodentia
- Surveys and Questionnaires
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Fouché N, Graubner C, Lanz S, Schweighauser A, Francey T, Gerber V. Acute kidney injury due to Leptospira interrogans in 4 foals and use of renal replacement therapy with intermittent hemodiafiltration in 1 foal. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):1007-1012.
- Siqueira CC, Fraga DBM, Chagas-Junior AD, Athanazio DA, Silva MMN, Cerqueira RB, da C McBride FW, Pinna MH, Ayres MCC. Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with equineleptospirosis in the metropolitan region of Salvador and Recôncavo Baiano region, Bahia state (NE Brazil). Trop Anim Health Prod 2020 Jan;52(1):31-39.
- Mason MR, Encina C, Sreevatsan S, Muñoz-Zanzi C. Distribution and Diversity of Pathogenic Leptospira Species in Peri-domestic Surface Waters from South Central Chile. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016 Aug;10(8):e0004895.
- Prabhu N, Innocent JP, Chinnaswamy P, Natarajaseenivasan K, Sarayu L. In vitro Evaluation of Eclipta alba against Serogroups of Leptospira interrogans. Indian J Pharm Sci 2008 Nov;70(6):788-91.
- Båverud V, Gunnarsson A, Engvall EO, Franzén P, Egenvall A. Leptospira seroprevalence and associations between seropositivity, clinical disease and host factors in horses. Acta Vet Scand 2009 Mar 30;51(1):15.
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