Serological, molecular and pathological investigation for leptospirosis in ovines (Ovis aries) coming from a vivarium creation

Abstract

The current paper reports an outbreak of leptospirosis in sheep production created with the purpose of blood supply to laboratories for production of growth medium and complement fixation test. Serological, molecular and histopathological
analyses were performed. Serologic analysis was performed on 12 samples using the microscopic agglutination test with cutoff point of 100 for the serovars: Leptospira Bataviae, L. Javanica, L. Panama, L. Hebdomadis, L. Castellonis, L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. Pyrogenes, L. Cynopteri, L. Serjoe, L. Australis, L. Wolffi, L. Copenhageni, L. Autumnalis, L. Pomona e L. Tarassovi. Anatomopathological examination was performed on only one animal, which was found dead and molecular analyzes were performed in its blood and urine using the qPCR technique. 50% of those animals were reagents to the serological diagnosis, being identified the serovars: L. Copenhageni (1/100 e 1/200), L. Castellonis (1/200 e 1/200), L. Icterohaemorrhagiae (1/200) e L. Cynopteri (1/200). The necropsied animal presented bleeding, jaundice and hemoglobinuria. Molecular analysis showed three positive animals in blood samples and two positive animals in urine samples, with no concomitant positivity for each animal. The identification of Icterohaemorrhagiae and Copenhageni serovars suggests the need for studies aiming the agent isolation in the Brazilian Amazon Region and characterization of its pathogenicity since in Brazil these are the main etiologic agents of leptospirosis cases in humans.