Serological survey on Leptospirosis of cattle in Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance, especially in tropical countries. The purpose of this study to evaluate the seroprevalence of Leptospira in cattle in Ho Chi Minh city. Serum samples from 446 animals were tested by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using a panel of 24 Leptospira serovars kits provided by Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute. Results showed that seroprevalence of Leptospira at herd-level was 61.54%; and at individual-level was 31.17%. In which, the percentage of beef cattle (29.77%) infected with Leptospira was lower than that of dairy cattle (31.75%). Cattle from 2 to 3 years of age had the highest rate of Leptospira infection in was 37. 72%. According to herd size, the results found that medium-scale farming (from 25 to 50 animals) had the lowest seroprevalence rate with Leptospira spp. (28.65%). No significant differences were found among aged groups of cattle. There were a totally 7 serovars that were detected in cattle, in which, the two most popular serovars were L. Hardjo bovis (31.37%) and L. Hebdomadis (30.26%). There were twelve animals infected with four Leptospira serovars (8.63%); meanwhile, the majority of animals infected with one serovar were 42.45%. The ratio of positive animals at antibody titer of 1:200 was 53.70%. These results indicated a very high exposure of Cu Chi cattle to Leptospira spp. which consequently posed a definite risk for people working with cattle acquiring this zoonotic infection