Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Leptospira interrogans Serogroup Sejroe Serovar Hardjo in Dairy Farms in and around Jimma Town, Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted on selected dairy farms in and around Jimma town, Oromia, southwestern Ethiopia from November 2019 to May 2020 to determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Sejroe serovar Hardjo (L. hardjo). Furthermore, information was gathered on individual animal and herd level by using pretested semistructured questionnaire to assess associated risk factors. A stratified and simple random sampling procedure was used for the selection of dairy farms and individual animal’s, respectively. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) was used in this study to detect antibody against L. hardjo. Out of 384 animal’s sera, 94 animals were seropositive against L. hardjo antibodies. From 77 dairy farms selected for the study, 57 of them were distinguished as positive for L. hardjo. The overall seroprevalence of leptospirosis caused by L. hardjo was 24.48% (95% CI: 20.18%–28.78%) and 74.03% (95% CI: 64.23%–83.82%) at individual animal and farm level, respectively. The result of multilogistic regression analysis revealed that management system ( p < 0.05; OR = 4.25 (95% CI: 2.31–7.82)), hygienic status of the farm ( p < 0.05; OR = 0.35 (95% CI: 0.20–0.61)), age of animals ( p < 0.05; OR = 8.30 (95% CI: 1.87–36.89)), history of abortion ( p < 0.05; OR = 8.37 (95% CI: 1.73–40.42)), herd size ( p < 0.05; OR = 2.32 (95% CI: 1.17–4.61)), and access of rodents to the farm ( p < 0.05; OR = 0.17 (95% CI: 0.03–0.86)) were significantly associated with the occurrence of L. hardjo infection. However, breed, parity, and introduction of new animals to the farm were insignificantly associated ( p > 0.05). Management system of the animal, hygienic status of the farm, herd size, age of animals, previous history of abortion, and access of rodents to the farm were identified as potential risk factors of L. hardjo disease occurrence. Thus, limiting rodents contact with cattle and their feed and water as well as good sanitary practices and husbandry management should be undertaken.

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors for bovine leptospirosis in Egypt

“…Alternatively, lower prevalences have been reported in some countries, it was 3% in North Eastern India 40 , 3.2% in Poland 41 , 13% in Tanzania 42 , 20.3% in Sri Lanka 43 , 31.3% in Brazil 44 , and 24.48% in southwestern Ethiopia 45 .…”

“…Several factors may contribute to this variation, including geography, husbandry practices, management, sampling and diagnostic method, natural immunity, and disease resistance 9 , 14 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 45 – 47 . In addition, high densities of infected cows with Leptospira spp.…”

Seropositivity and Associated Risk Factors for Bovine Leptospirosis in Dairy Farms

“…Therefore, by initiating the appropriate sanitary practices, we can reduce the occurrence of Leptospira infection. Many researchers have applied multivariate analysis for the identification of important farm-level risk factors (Desa et al, 2021). The same could not be applied in the present study, as the sample size is insufficient for generalizing the result.…”

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Bruise in the Bovine Carcass Slaughtered Jimma Municipal Abattoir, Ethiopia

“…Most of Oromia enjoys excellent climate conditions in terms of both temperature and precipitation. This includes cool highlands and warm lowlands (Desa et al, 2021). The most prevalent agro-climatic condition varies from locality to locality and is tepid to cool in temperature and moist to sub-humid in moisture.…”