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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne1994; 35(10); 636-640;

Titers to Leptospira species in horses in Alberta.

Abstract: Sera from horses in Alberta, submitted to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for routine testing for equine infectious anemia from January 1987 to June 1989, were tested for antibody against 13 serovars of pathogenic Leptospira spp., using the microscopic agglutination test. The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of serum titers to those serovars in horses in Alberta, and to analyze the associated risk factors. Descriptive statistics were compiled and logistic regressions were computed. Titers to L. interrogans serovars icterohaemorrhagiae, bratislava, copenhageni, and autumnalis were common (94.6%, 56.6%, 46.5%, and 43.5%, respectively). The prevalence of titers to other serovars ranged from 0.8% to 27.2%. Age was almost always significantly associated with the presence of titers. In general, the chances of being seropositive rose by approximately 10% with each year of life. Horses managed individually (eg, track horses) were approximately half as likely to be seropositive as were horses managed in groups (eg, rodeo horses).
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Publication Date: 1994-10-01 PubMed ID: 7994706PubMed Central: PMC1686779
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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.

This study looked at horses in Alberta for antibodies against 13 strains of pathogenic Leptospira bacteria, which can cause infections. The aim was to understand how prevalent these antibodies were in the horse population and to look at risk factors associated with the presence of these antibodies.

Research Goals

  • This study aimed to understand the prevalence of serum titers to different strains of Leptospira bacteria in horses in Alberta, Canada.
  • The secondary goal was to identify factors influencing the presence of these antibodies.

Methodology

  • The researchers tested sera samples, which had been submitted for routine Equine Infectious Anemia testing between January 1987 and June 1989.
  • The sera were tested against 13 different serovars of disease-causing Leptospira bacteria using a specific identification test.
  • Data was then subjected to statistical analysis to ascertain associated risk factors.

Findings

  • They found that the presence of antibodies against Leptospira interrogans serovars icterohaemorrhagiae, bratislava, copenhageni, and autumnalis were common. It was 94.6%, 56.6%, 46.5%, and 43.5% in the sample population, respectively.
  • For other serovars, the prevalence of titers varied between 0.8% and 27.2%.
  • Age was found to be a significant risk factor, with the chance of being seropositive increasing by approximately 10% with each year of a horse’s life.
  • Interestingly, they found that horses managed individually (like racehorses) were about half as likely to have these antibodies compared to those managed in groups (like rodeo horses).

Implications

  • The findings of the research highlight the need for further understanding of the prevalence and risk factors of Leptospira infections in horses.
  • These findings could shape future guidelines for managing and treating horses, especially in terms of their grouping and age.
  • The study also underscores the need for continued surveillance and further research into this area to better prevent and control such infectious diseases in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Lees VW, Gale SP. (1994). Titers to Leptospira species in horses in Alberta. Can Vet J, 35(10), 636-640.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 10
Pages: 636-640

Researcher Affiliations

Lees, V W
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Animal Diseases Research Institute, Lethbridge, Alberta.
Gale, S P

    MeSH Terms

    • Alberta
    • Animals
    • Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis
    • Horse Diseases / immunology
    • Horses
    • Leptospira / immunology
    • Leptospirosis / immunology
    • Leptospirosis / veterinary
    • Prevalence
    • Risk Factors
    • Serotyping

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 4 times.
    1. Hamond C, Pinna A, Martins G, Lilenbaum W. The role of leptospirosis in reproductive disorders in horses. Trop Anim Health Prod 2014 Jan;46(1):1-10.
      doi: 10.1007/s11250-013-0459-3pubmed: 23990441google scholar: lookup
    2. 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.
      doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-51-15pubmed: 19331656google scholar: lookup
    3. Lévesque B, De Serres G, Higgins R, D'Halewyn MA, Artsob H, Grondin J, Major M, Garvie M, Duval B. Seroepidemiologic study of three zoonoses (leptospirosis, Q fever, and tularemia) among trappers in Québec, Canada. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 1995 Jul;2(4):496-8.
      doi: 10.1128/cdli.2.4.496-498.1995pubmed: 7583933google scholar: lookup
    4. Hamond C, Adam EN, Stone NE, LeCount K, Anderson T, Putz EJ, Camp P, Hicks J, Stuber T, van der Linden H, Bayles DO, Sahl JW, Schlater LK, Wagner DM, Nally JE. Identification of equine mares as reservoir hosts for pathogenic species of Leptospira. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1346713.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1346713pubmed: 38784659google scholar: lookup
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