Investigação da ocorrência de leptospirose em bovinos na microrregião de Passos-MG

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of sanitary and economic importance, capable of causing reproductive failure, decreased productivity, and financial losses in cattle farming. Due to the lack of studies in the microregion of Passos, Minas Gerais, the present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in cattle of the species Bos taurus, as well as to identify possible risk factors associated with infection in the region. For this purpose, 70 blood samples were collected from cattle raised on rural properties located in the municipalities of Cássia, Claraval, and Ibiraci, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The samples were analyzed using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) against 12 serovars of Leptospira interrogans, and a questionnaire was applied to the farmers during the visits. The prevalence found was 7.14%. Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were detected against the serovars Bratislava, Castellonis, Copenhageni, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, and Wolffi, with prevalences of 27.2%, 18.2%, 27.2%, 9.1%, 9.1%, and 9.1%, respectively. The variables evaluated for association with the occurrence of leptospirosis were type of production, vaccination program, reproductive disorders, abortions and stillbirths, presence of rodents, and rodent control. Statistical analysis using logistic regression showed that only the type of production had a significant association with the occurrence of seropositive animals, with dairy production being associated with a higher chance of disease occurrence (OR = 9.33; 95% CI: 1.36–63.83; p = 0.022). The other evaluated variables did not show statistically significant association.