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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Res Commun / Urinary PCR as an increasingly useful tool for an accurate d...
Veterinary research communications2013; 38(1); 81-85; doi: 10.1007/s11259-013-9582-x

Urinary PCR as an increasingly useful tool for an accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis in livestock.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to consider the wide usage of urinary PCR as an increasingly useful tool for an accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis in livestock. A total of 512 adult animals (300 cattle, 138 horses, 59 goats and 15 pigs), from herds/flocks with reproductive problems in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was studied by serology and urinary PCR. From the 512 serum samples tested, 223 (43.5 %) were seroreactive (cattle: 45.6 %, horses: 41.3 %, goats: 34%and pigs: 60 %). PCR detected leptospiral DNA in 32.4 % (cattle: 21.6 %, horses: 36.2 %, goats: 77.4 % and pigs: 33.3 %. To our knowledge there is no another study including such a large number of samples (512) from different species, providing a comprehensive analysis of the usage of PCR for detecting leptospiral carriers in livestock. Serological and molecular results were discrepant, regardless the titre, what was an expected outcome. Nevertheless, it is impossible to establish agreement between these tests, since the two methodologies are conducted on different samples (MAT - serum; PCR - urine). Additionally, the MAT is an indirect method and PCR is a direct one. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that urinary PCR should be considered and encouraged as an increasingly useful tool for an accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis in livestock.
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Publication Date: 2013-11-13 PubMed ID: 24222053DOI: 10.1007/s11259-013-9582-xGoogle 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 evaluates the potential of urinary PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) as an effective tool in diagnosing leptospirosis in livestock, studying 512 animals in herds with reproductive issues in Brazil. The research found both serological and urinary PCR results varied and suggested the need to consider urinary PCR as a reliable tool in diagnosing the disease.

Objective of the Research

  • The research intended to explore the widespread use of urinary PCR as a valuable tool for leptospirosis diagnosis in livestock. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects various animals, including cattle, horses, goats, and pigs. This study was based on livestock with reproductive issues in Brazil.

Methodology and Results

  • Total of 512 adult livestock comprising cattle, horses, goats, and pigs was investigated using serology and urinary PCR methodologies.
  • The serology test showed that 223 or 43.5% of the samples were seroreactive ranging from 34% in goats to 60% in pigs.
  • PCR methodology indicated that leptospiral DNA was present in 32.4% of the total samples with the highest occurrence in goats (77.4%) and the least in cattle (21.6%).
  • These results, detected by PCR, provided a comprehensive analysis of utilizing PCR for identifying leptospiral carriers across various livestock species. This comprehensive analysis was possible due to the large sample size of this study, which, according to the authors, is unprecedented in other studies.

Comparison of Methodologies and Conclusions

  • The results from the serological and PCR tests were inconsistent, which was an expected outcome according to the researchers. This inconsistency is due to the differing nature of the two tests, with one (serology) being an indirect method while the other (PCR) being a direct one.
  • Furthermore, it’s challenging to establish a consensus between the two methodologies as they are conducted on different types of samples: serology on serum and PCR on urine.
  • In conclusion, the study demonstrated the effectiveness of urinary PCR as a potential diagnostic tool for leptospirosis in livestock.
  • The researchers encourage the use of urinary PCR for an accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis in livestock given the results of the study.

Cite This Article

APA
Hamond C, Martins G, Loureiro AP, Pestana C, Lawson-Ferreira R, Medeiros MA, Lilenbaum W. (2013). Urinary PCR as an increasingly useful tool for an accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis in livestock. Vet Res Commun, 38(1), 81-85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-013-9582-x

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 1
Pages: 81-85

Researcher Affiliations

Hamond, C
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Martins, G
    Loureiro, A P
      Pestana, C
        Lawson-Ferreira, R
          Medeiros, M A
            Lilenbaum, W

              MeSH Terms

              • Agglutination Tests / standards
              • Agglutination Tests / veterinary
              • Animals
              • Cattle
              • Cattle Diseases / urine
              • Goat Diseases / urine
              • Goats
              • Horse Diseases / urine
              • Horses
              • Leptospirosis / diagnosis
              • Leptospirosis / urine
              • Leptospirosis / veterinary
              • Limit of Detection
              • Livestock / parasitology
              • Livestock / urine
              • Polymerase Chain Reaction / standards
              • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
              • Reproducibility of Results
              • Swine
              • Swine Diseases / urine

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              Citations

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