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Zoonoses and public health2022; 69(5); 526-536; doi: 10.1111/zph.12942

Seroprevalence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in equines and associated workers-Isolation of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Canicola from equine urine.

Abstract: To investigate seroprevalence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in equines and associated workers in Uruguay, 891 equine and 150 human sera were drawn; 212 equine urine samples were also taken for culture. Environmental conditions and equine raising or managing practices were recorded in all 72 visited establishments; epidemiological information was obtained from each worker. Microscopic agglutination technique (MAT) was performed with 10 Leptospira strains for equines and 18 for human sera, that were also studied with IgM indirect immunofluorescence (IgM-IIF). Equine titres ≥100 were considered positive, and human sera titres ≥200 suggested probable recent or past infection. Urines were cultured in Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) media; local identification of one obtained isolate with lipL32 PCR, Multiple Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis and partial rrs gene sequencing, were completed at Institut Pasteur, Paris. Estimated reactivity was 61.3% for equines, which was higher than the studied bovine national levels (21%) and mainly observed with Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup (40.3%), Sejroe, Canicola, Pomona or Ballum. Aged animals from slaughterhouses and cattle farms were the most frequently positive. Multiple regression analysis confirmed a significant association between seropositivity and equine age. Only one positive culture could be fully studied, and confirmed to be Leptospira interrogans serogroup Canicola; it was added to the MAT antigen panel and revealed fairly frequent reaction with equine and human sera. Three workers (2%) showed titres = 200 with Icterohaemorrhagiae or Canicola serogroups, without recent clinical manifestations. Their attended equines reacted with the same serogroups, suggesting common source infections or infection transmitted by equines. Three other humans yielded titres = 100, and none of the 150 showed an IgM-IIF-positive result. Equines seem not to be an important origin of regional human leptospirosis, except perhaps during acute animal infection. More culture work is required to study intensity and lapses of leptospiruria, as well as to further identify circulating strains.
© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2022-03-29 PubMed ID: 35347868DOI: 10.1111/zph.12942Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper investigates the prevalence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in horses and their handlers in Uruguay. The study also managed to isolate Leptospira interrogans bacteria, a type of Leptospira, from horse urine.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved taking samples of serum from 891 horses and 150 human workers who were in contact with the animals. Additionally, urine samples were collected from 212 horses.
  • All 72 establishments where the samples were collected were surveyed for their environmental conditions and equine raising practices.
  • Each worker involved in the study also provided epidemiological information about their interactions and experiences with the horses.
  • The collected serum samples underwent Microscopic Agglutination Technique (MAT) and IgM Indirect Immunofluorescence (IgM-IIF).
  • Urine samples were cultured in EMJH media and further subjected to lipL32 PCR, Multiple Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis, and partial rrs gene sequencing.

Results and Findings

  • The findings suggested a 61.3% estimated reactivity to Leptospira in horses. This reactivity was significantly higher as compared to bovine reactivity at the national level, which stood at 21%.
  • Among horses, the highest occurrence of antibodies was found in relation to the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup, followed by Sejroe, Canicola, Pomona, and Ballum.
  • Older animals, particularly those from slaughterhouses and cattle farms, demonstrated the most frequently positive results.
  • Study results established a significant link between equine age and seropositivity; older horses were more likely to show positive results.
  • Out of the workers, only three showed a titre of 200 with Icterohaemorrhagiae or Canicola serogroups but without any recent clinical presentations. None of the workers indicated a positive IgM-IIF result.
  • A single positive culture of Leptospira bacteria was identified in equine urine, confirmed as Leptospira interrogans of the Canicola serogroup. This culture sparked reactions in both equine and human serum, indicating its potential as a common source of infection.

Conclusions

  • According to the study, horses are not a significant source of human leptospirosis in the region, except potentially during acute animal infection.
  • A greater volume of culture work is required to understand the intensity and lapses of leptospiruria (the presence of Leptospira in the urine), and for better identification of circulating bacterial strains.

Cite This Article

APA
Meny P, Iglesias T, Menéndez C, Quintero J, Ríos C, Ashfield N, Ferreira O, Mosca V, De Brun L, Ortiz G, De Vries I, Varela G, Schelotto F. (2022). Seroprevalence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in equines and associated workers-Isolation of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Canicola from equine urine. Zoonoses Public Health, 69(5), 526-536. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12942

Publication

Zoonoses and public health
ISSN: 1863-2378
NlmUniqueID: 101300786
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 69
Issue: 5
Pages: 526-536

Researcher Affiliations

Meny, Paulina
  • Bacteriology and Virology Department, Hygiene Institute, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Iglesias, Tamara
  • Bacteriology and Virology Department, Hygiene Institute, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Menéndez, Clara
  • Bacteriology and Virology Department, Hygiene Institute, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Quintero, Jair
  • Bacteriology and Virology Department, Hygiene Institute, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Ríos, Cristina
  • Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Ashfield, Natalia
  • Bacteriology and Virology Department, Hygiene Institute, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Ferreira, Oscar
  • Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Mosca, Virginia
  • Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
De Brun, Laureana
  • Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Ortiz, Gabriela
  • Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
De Vries, Isabel
  • Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Varela, Gustavo
  • Bacteriology and Virology Department, Hygiene Institute, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Schelotto, Felipe
  • Bacteriology and Virology Department, Hygiene Institute, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Leptospira
  • Leptospira interrogans
  • Leptospirosis / epidemiology
  • Leptospirosis / veterinary
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Serogroup

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Antoniolli A, Guis H, Picardeau M, Goarant C, Flamand C. One Health Field Approach Applied to Leptospirosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Across Humans, Animals and the Environment. Open Forum Infect Dis 2025 Jan;12(1):ofae757.
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  2. Sykes JE, Francey T, Schuller S, Stoddard RA, Cowgill LD, Moore GE. Updated ACVIM consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Nov-Dec;37(6):1966-1982.
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