First report of Leptospira infections in red deer, roe deer, and fallow deer in Poland

Abstract

Introduction: Recently in Europe an increase in the population of red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and fallow deer (Dama dama) has been observed. Research on the prevalence of Leptospira infections in Polish cervids has been performed for the first time. Material and Methods: During 2014/2015 hunting season, 147 blood samples from red deer, roe deer, and fallow deer were collected. The animals originated from different geographical regions across Poland. Serum samples were tested by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for the presence of specific antibodies to the following Leptospira serovars: Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa, Sejroe, Tarassovi, Pomona, Canicola, Bratislava, Hardjo, Ballum, Zanoni, Hebdomadis, and Poi. Results: Serum antibody titres specific to Grippotyphosa, Pomona, and Zanoni serovars were found; none of the sera were positive for any of the other serovars. Out of 147 serum samples only 7 were positive, which gave an overall prevalence of 4.8% in the tested animal population. Conclusion: The low Leptospira antibody titres along with the low number of positive serum samples in deer indicate that these animals may not act as significant reservoirs of Leptospira for either humans or animals in Poland.

Exposure of Free-Ranging Wild Animals to Zoonotic Leptospira interrogans Sensu Stricto in Slovenia

“…Antibodies against serovar Pomona (42.8%) were detected most frequently. The seroprevalence of antibodies against leptospiral serovars found in this study was significantly higher than that in Italy (6.33%) [ 17 ] or in Poland, which showed a total seroprevalence in deer (roe deer, red deer and fallow deer) of 4.8% [ 74 ], or in Croatia (19.02%) [ 42 ].…”

“…Antibodies against serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae (65%) were most frequently detected. The seroprevalence of antibodies against leptospiral serovars found in this study was considerably higher than that in Croatia (6.0%) [ 42 ] or in Poland, which showed an overall seroprevalence in deer (roe deer, red deer and fallow deer) of 4.8% [ 74 ], or in Germany (2%) [ 75 ]. No positive serological reactions were found in roe deer ( n = 66) in Italy [ 17 ].…”

Leptospirosis in Zakarpattia Oblast (2005–2015)

“…Previous experience has shown that small mammals were leading sources of leptospirosis (Badra 2008, Żmudzki et al 2016). A total of 2820 small mammals were collected and tested by MAT (Table 3).…”

Leptospira interrogans serogroup Sejroe serovar Hardjo in aborting cows: two herd cases in Sicily (Italy)

“…and is considered a potential source of leptospires, which then infect humans and domestic animals. An increase in the population density of wild boar has been documented in many European countries, including Italy (5,13,24), and a consequential increase in potential interactions among wild boar, humans, domestic animals, and other wildlife species could increase the dissemination risk of such a disease (19). We suggest that wild boar, pigs, and dogs within the grazing range should be evaluated for potential risks of transmission that they may pose and that co-grazing (particularly with pigs) should be avoided.…”