EQUINE LEPTOSPIROSIS IN EGYPT: SEROPREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS

Abstract

Most leptospiral infections in horses are asymptomatic; however, acute disease manifestations as well as reproductive failure and recurrent uveitis have been reported. Horses are considered accidental hosts. The data about equine leptospirosis in Egypt are scarce. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate presence of antibodies against Leptospira sp. in horse in four Egyptian governorates and determine the associated risk factors for the infection. To determine the seroprevalence in 305 serum samples, the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was carried using eight Leptospira servoars antigens. The results revealed 104 animals were positive for at least one of the serovars (34.1 %; 95 % CI: 29.01 - 39.59). The most common reaction was reported to Icterohaemorrhagiae servoar (15.14 %), followed by Canicola (14.75 %), Bratislava (11.47 %), Copenhageni (8.19 %), Pomona (7.86 %), and Hardjo (6.88 %). The most prevalent was observed among females, older, horses raising in pasture or in contact with ruminants or dogs and lack of rodent’s control. The significant seroprevalence suggests that Egyptian horses living in the studied area are at high risk of infection or exposure by Leptospira sp. Thus, the establishment of emergency surveillance and control program is very crucial for this zoonotic pathogen.