PREVALENCE OF Leptospira interrogans SERO VAR PYROGENES AMONG CLINICALLY ILL DOGS IN WAYANAD DISTRICT

Abstract

Leptospirosis is an important bacterial zoonosis caused by many pathogenic serovars of Leptospirainterrogans. Rodents act as reservoir host for the disease and animals like dogs, pigs and cattle act as temporary carriers (Tilahun et al., 2013). The members belonging to the genus Leptospira are grouped into 22 antigenically related species and classified into more than 300serovars (Picardueet al., 2017). South Indian states such as Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are endemic for leptospirosis (Himaniet al., 2013). Vaccination is an effective method for control of the disease. But, the immunity against leptospirosis is serovar specific. Hence, it is necessary to identify the geographically prevalent serovar and it is necessary to incorporate them in vaccine. So, the present study was undertaken to identify the prevalent serovar of Leptospira in Wayanaddistrict of Kerala.