Open AccessSpatial characterization of Leptospira spp. infection in equids from the Brejo Paraibano micro-region in Brazil
Author(s) -
Ruy Brayner Oliveira Filho,
Karla Campos Malta,
Vania Lucia Assis Santana,
Mabel Hanna Vance Harrop,
Danilo Tancler Stipp,
Daniel Friguglietti Brandespim,
Rinaldo Aparecido Mota
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geospatial health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1970-7096
pISSN - 1827-1987
DOI - 10.4081/gh.2014.35
Subject(s) - leptospira , serotype , leptospirosis , direct agglutination test , veterinary medicine , biology , georeference , geography , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , antibody , immunology , serology , physical geography
The present study, the first to spatially characterize Leptospira spp. infection among equids in the Brejo Paraibano micro-region of the Paraiba state in the northeast of Brazil, investigated 257 animals in 26 farms properties. Serum samples from 204 horses, 46 mules and seven donkeys were serologically diagnosed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The distribution of Leptospira spp. was studied by employing specific antigens from 24 different Leptospira serovars. All farms were georeferenced and their distribution visualised on a map of the Brejo Paraibano micro-region. In addition, rainfall data were obtained from the same year, in which the sampling was performed. Among the 20 farms found to harbour animals with leptospirosis, 14 (70%) exhibited low prevalence, five (25%) medium prevalence and one (5%), high prevalence. Certain areas had a higher density of infected farms and required intervention to control the infection. Many serovars were widely distributed, while others were more common in particular areas. There was no significant association between the prevalence of Leptospira spp. infection and rainfall.