Seroepidemiological survey of leptospiral infection in stray dogs in Serbia

Authors : DRAGICA VOJINOVIC, NATASA BOGICEVIC, ANA VASIC, MARIJA MANIC, MILICA ELEZOVIC RADOVANOVIC, DRAGAN ROGOZARSKI, JOVAN MARIC, MIROSLAV VALCIC

Pages : 719-723

View : 11 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonosis with worldwide distribution. This disease is facilitated among stray dogs due to their lifestyle and the absence of immunoprophylaxis. The aim of the present study was to provide serological data on the presence of certain serovars of Leptospira spp., which are assumed to circulate in the population of stray dogs in Serbia. During a period of 3 years insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(from April 2010 to June 2013);, 1045 canine sera originating from 11 shelters were submitted to the laboratory of the Department of Infectious Animal Diseases and Diseases of Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade. A microscopic agglutination test insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MAT); was performed to detect antibodies to Leptospira insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(cutoff, 1:100);. The overall seroprevalence was 5.45% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(57/1045); and the most prevalent Leptospira serovars were Icterohaemorrhagiae 33.3% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(19/57);, Pomona 29.8% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(17/57);, Canicola 14.0% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(8/57);, Grippotyphosa 3.5% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2/57);, Bataviae 1.7 % insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1/57);, and Sejroe 1.7% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1/57);. All dogs were seronegative for antibodies against serovars Australis and Bratislava. The results showed that stray dogs contribute to the spread and maintenance of Leptospira spp. İn Serbia. Due to close contact with humans it is very important to improve the prevention of leptospirosis in dogs and support a One Health approach.
Keywords : Leptospira, stray dogs, Serbia, serology, seroprevalence