Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with within-flock transmission of Leptospira interrogans in transhumant farming systems in Mexico

A number of recent reports emphasize the risk of zoonotic diseases and the high degree of prevalence of asymptomatic animals infected with Leptospira interrogans. This report sought to assess the prevalence of antibodies to certain serovars of L. interrogans, and to describe the association between...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Epidemiology and infection 2015-10, Vol.143 (13), p.2894-2902
Main Authors: ARTEAGA-TRONCOSO, G., JIMÉNEZ-ESTRADA, J. M., DE OCA-JIMENEZ, R. MONTES, LÓPEZ-HURTADO, M., LUNA-ALVAREZ, M., HERNANDEZ-ANDRADE, L., MORENO-ALFARO, A., GALAN-HERRERA, J. F., GUERRA-INFANTE, F. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion
Agriculture
Animals
Antibodies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Farmers
Farms
Infections
Infectious diseases
Laboratory animals
Leptospira
Leptospira interrogans
Leptospira interrogans - isolation & purification
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis - epidemiology
Leptospirosis - transmission
Leptospirosis - veterinary
Livestock
Mexico - epidemiology
Original Papers
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Serology
Sheep
Sheep, Domestic - microbiology
Zoonoses
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Summary:A number of recent reports emphasize the risk of zoonotic diseases and the high degree of prevalence of asymptomatic animals infected with Leptospira interrogans. This report sought to assess the prevalence of antibodies to certain serovars of L. interrogans, and to describe the association between seropositivity and risk factors associated with within-flock transmission in a mountainous region of Mexico. Overall seroprevalence to L. interrogans was 54·5% (95% confidence interval 48·3–60·7); the most frequent serovar was Icterohaemorrhagiae. The accumulation of placentas and fetuses at a site close to lambing paddocks can play a significant role as a risk factor for within-flock transmission of L. interrogans in transhumant farming systems in the municipality of Xalatlaco. The high prevalence of L. interrogans antibodies supports the hypothesis that natural foci of this zoonosis are present in sheep flocks in this area. These findings emphasize the need for planning and implementation of control programmes for ovine leptospirosis in Mexico and elsewhere.
ISSN:0950-2688
1469-4409
DOI:10.1017/S0950268814003549