Acute Leptospirosis Outbreak in Cattle: A Case Report
ABSTRACT Leptospirosis is a globally distributed re‐emerging zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira species. In cattle, the clinical course varies from a subclinical‐chronic infection, commonly found in adult animals, to a severe acute syndrome mostly found in calves. The present study reports an out...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Veterinary Medicine and Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70206 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850098546357829632 |
|---|---|
| author | Gustavo Paixão Sofia Botelho‐Fontela Filipe Gandra Joana Reis |
| author_facet | Gustavo Paixão Sofia Botelho‐Fontela Filipe Gandra Joana Reis |
| author_sort | Gustavo Paixão |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Leptospirosis is a globally distributed re‐emerging zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira species. In cattle, the clinical course varies from a subclinical‐chronic infection, commonly found in adult animals, to a severe acute syndrome mostly found in calves. The present study reports an outbreak of acute leptospirosis, following favourable climacteric conditions. Seven affected farms were monitored. Clinical observations from infected animals (n = 30) revealed two distinct patterns: lactating calves experienced hyperacute courses, often culminating in death, and older animals, mainly steers, displayed signs of apathy, anorexia, icterus and haemoglobinuria. Necropsies confirmed jaundice and haemoglobinuria, aligning with a presumptive diagnosis of leptospirosis. Haematology and serology results further supported this diagnosis. Pomona and Mozdok serovars were the most prevalent (62.5%) and had the highest mean agglutination titres, 1:1160 and 1:700, respectively. Antimicrobial treatment of sick animals consisted of oxytetracycline. Chemical metaphylaxis and prophylactic measures were established to control the outbreak in cohabiting animals. Environmental factors like climate change are expected to contribute to more frequent leptospirosis outbreaks. Comprehensive serological surveys are recommended to develop region‐specific control measures, emphasising the importance of vaccination as a practical and effective prophylactic measure. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-216b41e853cc4c4bb680e283fe0eb939 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2053-1095 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Veterinary Medicine and Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-216b41e853cc4c4bb680e283fe0eb9392025-08-20T02:40:42ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine and Science2053-10952025-03-01112n/an/a10.1002/vms3.70206Acute Leptospirosis Outbreak in Cattle: A Case ReportGustavo Paixão0Sofia Botelho‐Fontela1Filipe Gandra2Joana Reis3CISAS – Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo Viana do Castelo PortugalCECAV ‐ Animal and Veterinary Research Centre Universidade de Trás‐os‐Montes e Alto Douro, AL4AnimalS Vila Real PortugalEscola Superior Agrária Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo Ponte de Lima PortugalCISAS – Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo Viana do Castelo PortugalABSTRACT Leptospirosis is a globally distributed re‐emerging zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira species. In cattle, the clinical course varies from a subclinical‐chronic infection, commonly found in adult animals, to a severe acute syndrome mostly found in calves. The present study reports an outbreak of acute leptospirosis, following favourable climacteric conditions. Seven affected farms were monitored. Clinical observations from infected animals (n = 30) revealed two distinct patterns: lactating calves experienced hyperacute courses, often culminating in death, and older animals, mainly steers, displayed signs of apathy, anorexia, icterus and haemoglobinuria. Necropsies confirmed jaundice and haemoglobinuria, aligning with a presumptive diagnosis of leptospirosis. Haematology and serology results further supported this diagnosis. Pomona and Mozdok serovars were the most prevalent (62.5%) and had the highest mean agglutination titres, 1:1160 and 1:700, respectively. Antimicrobial treatment of sick animals consisted of oxytetracycline. Chemical metaphylaxis and prophylactic measures were established to control the outbreak in cohabiting animals. Environmental factors like climate change are expected to contribute to more frequent leptospirosis outbreaks. Comprehensive serological surveys are recommended to develop region‐specific control measures, emphasising the importance of vaccination as a practical and effective prophylactic measure.https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70206BovineLeptospira interrogansmetaphylaxisserovaryoungstock |
| spellingShingle | Gustavo Paixão Sofia Botelho‐Fontela Filipe Gandra Joana Reis Acute Leptospirosis Outbreak in Cattle: A Case Report Veterinary Medicine and Science Bovine Leptospira interrogans metaphylaxis serovar youngstock |
| title | Acute Leptospirosis Outbreak in Cattle: A Case Report |
| title_full | Acute Leptospirosis Outbreak in Cattle: A Case Report |
| title_fullStr | Acute Leptospirosis Outbreak in Cattle: A Case Report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acute Leptospirosis Outbreak in Cattle: A Case Report |
| title_short | Acute Leptospirosis Outbreak in Cattle: A Case Report |
| title_sort | acute leptospirosis outbreak in cattle a case report |
| topic | Bovine Leptospira interrogans metaphylaxis serovar youngstock |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70206 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gustavopaixao acuteleptospirosisoutbreakincattleacasereport AT sofiabotelhofontela acuteleptospirosisoutbreakincattleacasereport AT filipegandra acuteleptospirosisoutbreakincattleacasereport AT joanareis acuteleptospirosisoutbreakincattleacasereport |