Arquivos do Instituto Biológico (Dec 2016)

Epidemiologic analysis of Leptospira spp. infection among sheep in Pernambuco state, Brazil

  • Acidália Claudino Machado,
  • Junior Mário Baltazar de Oliveira,
  • José Lopes da Silva Júnior,
  • Nivaldo Aparecido de Assis,
  • Daniel Friguglietti Brandespim,
  • Luis Antonio Mathias,
  • Rinaldo Aparecido Mota,
  • José Wilton Pinheiro Júnior

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/1808-1657000222014
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 83, no. 0

Abstract

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ABSTRACT: This study aimed to analyze epidemiological aspects and spatial characteristics of Lesptospira spp. infection among sheep in Pernambuco state, Brazil. A total of 426 samples were collected from unvaccinated animals aged 1 year or older, and submitted to Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). To study the risk factors, a standardized investigative survey of sheep farmers, with objective questions, was conducted to establish the general characteristics of the farm property production, reproductive management, and health plan. From 426 samples analyzed, 83 (19.5%; CI 15.9 - 23.6%) were positive; among them, the most prevalent serovar was Autumnalis (32.4%). Significant differences were observed between gender (OR = 0.38; CI 0.14 - 0.99), production system (OR = 2.03; CI 1.07 - 3.84), types of herd (OR = 2.28; CI 1.39 - 3.72), absence of rodents to the grain storage (OR = 0.55; CI 0.34 - 0.91), and restriction to surface waters (OR = 0.60; CI 0.37 - 0.99). Leptospira spp. infection is disseminated in sheep herds, and multiple factors can influence its occurrence. Health education programs and worker training in prevention and control of leptospirosis and other infectious diseases may be useful to reduce infection rates and economic losses caused by this disease.

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