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Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde2011; 153(10); 449-456; doi: 10.1024/0036-7281/a000247

Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in clinically healthy horses in Switzerland.

Abstract: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the leptospiral seroprevalence in clinically healthy horses in Switzerland. A representative sample of 615 horse sera was examined by microscopic agglutination test for the presence of antibodies against 15 Leptospira spp. serovars. In total, 58.5 % (n = 360) of the horses were positive for one or more of the antigens analysed, with 20.3 % of them showing titres >= 400. The most prevalent serovar was Pyrogenes (22.6 %), followed by serovars Canicola (22.1 %) and Australis (19.2 %). Older horses, mares, ponies and animals spending increased time on pasture exhibited significantly higher prevalence rates (p < 0.05). Moreover, the prevalence was higher in summer and autumn (p = 0.003). The high seroprevalence in healthy horses indicates that they are often exposed to or infected with Leptospira spp. without developing signs of disease. Therefore, other laboratory and clinical data should always be taken into consideration when interpreting serological test results for Leptospira spp.
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Publication Date: 2011-10-06 PubMed ID: 21971672DOI: 10.1024/0036-7281/a000247Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

The research investigates the prevalence of antibodies against Leptospira bacteria in clinically healthy horses in Switzerland. Found in over half of the horses studied, the high prevalence suggests these animals can be exposed to or infected with Leptospira without showing symptoms.

Study Design and Sample

  • The study adopts a retrospective, cross-sectional design that examines existing records of horse sera in Switzerland at a specific point in time.
  • In total, 615 horse sera samples were examined in the study, representing a large, diverse group of horses.

    • Method and Findings

    • The study used the microscopic agglutination test to detect antibodies against 15 different serovars (varieties) of Leptospira bacteria.
    • The results show that 58.5% (360 out of 615) of the horses tested positive for antibodies against at least one of the Leptospira antigens, indicating exposure or infection.
    • The most prevalent serovar was Pyrogenes (22.6%), followed by Canicola (22.1%) and Australis (19.2%).
    • It was also found that 20.3% of the positive cases showed antibody titres greater than or equal to 400, which is significant in denoting the degree of immunity to the bacteria.

    Factors Influencing Prevalence

    • The study discovered that certain factors significantly correlated with higher prevalence rates. These factors included old age, being a mare, pony breeds, and spending more time on a pasture.
    • Additionally, the research pointed out seasonal variations, with higher prevalence rates noticed in the summer and autumn months.

      • Implications

      • The research concludes that healthy horses in Switzerland often get exposed to or infected with Leptospira spp. without developing observable symptoms of illness.
      • This suggests caution when interpreting serological test results for Leptospira spp., due to the asymptomatic nature of the exposure, and that other laboratory or clinical data should be considered for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Blatti S, Overesch G, Gerber V, Frey J, Hüssy D. (2011). Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in clinically healthy horses in Switzerland. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd, 153(10), 449-456. https://doi.org/10.1024/0036-7281/a000247

Publication

Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde
ISSN: 0036-7281
NlmUniqueID: 0424247
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 153
Issue: 10
Pages: 449-456

Researcher Affiliations

Blatti, S
  • Centre for Zoonoses, Bacterial Animal Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance (ZOBA), Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Overesch, G
    Gerber, V
      Frey, J
        Hüssy, D

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
          • Cross-Sectional Studies
          • Horse Diseases
          • Horses
          • Leptospira
          • Leptospirosis / veterinary
          • Prevalence
          • Retrospective Studies
          • Seroepidemiologic Studies
          • Switzerland

          Citations

          This article has been cited 14 times.
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