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Epidemiology and infection2012; 141(1); 33-35; doi: 10.1017/S0950268812000416

The role of horses in the transmission of leptospirosis in an urban tropical area.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the presence of leptospires in equine urine, as evidence for a potential role of horses in transmission of this organism. Thoroughbred horses (aged 2-5 years, n = 276) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were studied. After a severe storm, the premises of the animals remained flooded for 72 h. Blood samples for serology were collected on days 20 and 35 (day of storm = day 0). On day 20, 132 (47·8%) horses were seroreactive (titre ≥200) and, of these, 23 (31·0%) had increased antibody titres on day 35. Furthermore, 34 urine samples (for PCR and culture) were collected from seroreactive horses on day 35. Copenhageni was the most frequent serovar (88·8% of reactive titres). Although none of the urine samples were culture positive, 12 (35·2%) were PCR positive. This is apparently the first report of evidence of leptospires in urban horses. Furthermore, we suggest that these animals can play a role in the transmission of leptospirosis in urban areas.
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Publication Date: 2012-03-15 PubMed ID: 22417781PubMed Central: PMC9152048DOI: 10.1017/S0950268812000416Google 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.

The research article discusses a study aimed at finding evidence of leptospires in horse urine to ascertain the role of these animals in the transmission of leptospirosis in urban tropical areas.

Objective of the Study

  • The main objective of the study was to provide evidence for the presence of Leptospira organisms in horse urine. The researchers aimed to establish if horses play a role in the transmission of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. This study forms the basis for understanding the potential risk associated with horses in the spread of the disease in urban tropical areas.

Location and Subjects

  • The study was conducted in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, with thoroughbred horses aged between 2 to 5 years. A total of 276 horses were chosen for the study. The choice of location and subjects was strategic to the study, as horses in this environment experienced specific conditions that facilitated the study.

Methods

  • The horse’s premises flooded for 72 hours after a severe storm. Following this, blood samples were acquired for serology assessment on the 20th and 35th day, with the stormy day set at day zero.
  • From a total of 132 seroreactive horses (titres ≥200) identified on the 20th day, 23 showed an increase in antibody titres on day 35. These seroreactive horses were the ones from which the researchers drew urine samples for PCR and culture tests.

Findings

  • The serovar Copenhageni was found to be the most common among the reactive titres, accounting for 88.8% of cases.
  • A total of 34 urine samples were collected from these horses. Despite none of these showing a positive culture, 12 (35.2%) were PCR positive — a clear indicator of the presence of Leptospira in the urine.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that there is evidence of the presence of leptospires in urban horses. The researchers propose that this observation indicates horses could potentially play a role in the transmission of leptospirosis in urban areas.
  • This study is reportedly the first of its kind to provide such insights. Although, it is important to gather more evidence to firm up this suggestion.

Cite This Article

APA
Hamond C, Martins G, Lawson-Ferreira R, Medeiros MA, Lilenbaum W. (2012). The role of horses in the transmission of leptospirosis in an urban tropical area. Epidemiol Infect, 141(1), 33-35. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268812000416

Publication

Epidemiology and infection
ISSN: 1469-4409
NlmUniqueID: 8703737
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 141
Issue: 1
Pages: 33-35

Researcher Affiliations

Hamond, C
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Martins, G
    Lawson-Ferreira, R
      Medeiros, M A
        Lilenbaum, W

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
          • Brazil
          • Horse Diseases / microbiology
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Leptospirosis / microbiology
          • Leptospirosis / veterinary
          • Polymerase Chain Reaction
          • Tropical Climate
          • Urban Population
          • Urine / microbiology

          Conflict of Interest Statement

          None.

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          This article includes 10 references
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          Citations

          This article has been cited 13 times.
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          10. Akter R, Legione A, Sansom FM, El-Hage CM, Hartley CA, Gilkerson JR, Devlin JM. Detection of Coxiella burnetii and equine herpesvirus 1, but not Leptospira spp. or Toxoplasma gondii, in cases of equine abortion in Australia - a 25 year retrospective study. PLoS One 2020;15(5):e0233100.
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