Global Seropositivity of Swine Leptospirosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a major threat to public health worldwide; however, there is no study focused on global seropositivity in pigs. In this study, we grouped publications and performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to gather data related to swine leptospirosis seropositivity published globally. The search method initially used returned a total of 1183 results, of which 20 met all predefined criteria and were therefore included in this review. Meta-analysis with general data was performed and a combined seropositivity of 21.95% was found. Seropositivity was 36.40% in South America, 34.05% in North America, 22.18% in Africa, 17.40% in Oceania, 13.30% in Europe and 13.36% in Asia. The results suggest that there is high seropositivity for leptospirosis in pigs worldwide. Information compiled from this research is relevant to understanding the spread of leptospirosis globally. It is expected that these indicators will contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease with a focus on its control and, consequently, on the reduction of cases in the human and animal population.

Abortion and fetal death in sows

“…Like most other mammals, pigs are susceptible to infection by numerous serovars/genomospecies of leptospires. A meta‐analysis in pigs showed worldwide seropositivity of 22% (Gomes de Araújo et al, 2023). The importance of leptospirosis as a clinical disease of swine is variable across countries.…”

Co-Infection by Leptospira montravelensis and Leptospira interrogans Serovar Pomona in Urine Samples of Donkeys and Pigs in Sardinia, Italy

“…Large outbreaks of leptospirosis have been reported worldwide, mainly in countries with tropical or subtropical climates, and in resource-poor countries, where, due to the absence of effective vaccines, treatments, and adequate sanitation practices, the eradication of the disease represents a major challenge [8][9][10]. Furthermore, since the spectrum of mammalian hosts harboring and excreting the different Leptospira species from their renal tubules is broad and animals are often asymptomatic, the burden of leptospirosis has been underestimated and the ability to prevent infection and control animal diseases is lacking [11][12][13].…”