A systematic review of leptospirosis on dogs, pigs, and horses in Latin America

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis which can affect many species. Control programs need accurate diagnosis to be successful, and currently, diagnosis relies on serology. It presents three main issues: the sampling, the antigen panel, and the cutoff point. Herein, we propose a systematic review on leptospirosis among dogs, pigs, and horses in Latin America in order to improve the understanding of the seroepidemiology of leptospirosis in these species in the region as well as the temporal development of the research on this topic and, consequently, improve the chances of success on control programs. Internet databases were consulted over 2015. Inclusion criteria included serosurvey using MAT; a relevant number of animals; the presence in the antigen panel of at least one representative of serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola for dogs, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Australis, and Pomona for pigs, and Icterohaemorrhagiae and Australis for horses; and a cutoff point of ≥100. Overall, 240 papers were studied, of which 87 referred to dogs, 66 to pigs, 39 to horses, and 48 to more than one of the studied species. In relation to those that met all the inclusion criteria, it was 45 (66.2%) in dogs, 23 (41.8%) in pigs, and 23 (63.9%) in horses. Leptospirosis is widespread in Latin America. Predominant serogroups are Canicola to dogs and Icterohaemorrhagiae to pigs and horses. Therefore, research on animal leptospirosis should be encouraged in Latin America, in order to reach a greater standardization in studies and then achieve better results on control programs.

Reproductive Disorders and Leptospirosis: A Case Study in a Mixed-Species Farm (Cattle and Swine)

“…The low antibody titre suggested that the circulating strain in the swine unit belonged to one of those described of maintenance serovar in pigs. The serogroups mostly found in swine are Pomona, Australis, Tarassovi and Sejroe [ 14 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], albeit also other serogroups such as Autumnalis, Ballum, Bataviae, Pyrogenes, Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola are observed in surveillance studies [ 21 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. The predominant serogroup found in the swine unit was Autumnalis, followed by Australis, Tarassovi and Ballum.…”

Seroepidemiology of Leptospira infection in backyard pigs in Durango State, Mexico

“…Pathogenic Leptospiras are the etiological agents of leptospirosis, an emerging zoonotic disease that affects humans and animals worldwide [ 2 ]. Leptospirosis may affect many species including domestic and wild animals [ 3 , 4 ]. In humans, most characteristic early clinical signs include fever of sudden onset, severe general malaise, muscular pain, and conjunctival congestion [ 5 ].…”

Seroepidemiology of infection with Neospora caninum, Leptospira, and bovine herpesvirus type 1 in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Veracruz, Mexico

“…Bacteria of the genus Leptospira cause leptospirosis, which is a zoonotic disease of global importance [ 9 , 10 ]. Infection with Leptospira occurs in more than 160 species of domestic and wild animals [ 11 ].…”