Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Leptospirosis in sheep and goats under tropical conditions

  • Reviews
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Inadequate management practices and poor reproductive performance have been reported as fundamental factors on reducing the levels of productivity in livestock. Different pathogens have been reported in small ruminants' herds/flocks with reproductive failures. The aim of the present study was to review aspects of leptospirosis in small ruminants, mainly its impact on reproduction and consequently on productivity of the herds/flocks under tropical conditions. Leptospiral infection in goats and sheep is common in several countries, and those species can also act as carriers of leptospires. Severe disease is often associated to young animals and is frequently associated to incidental serovars. In contrast, subclinical infection is mainly characterized by reproductive problems, such as infertility, abortion, occurrence of stillbirths, and weak lambs/goat kids. Moreover, laboratorial tests are essential to achieve an accurate diagnosis of the infection. Microscopic agglutination test is the most common indirect test of leptospirosis, being used worldwide. In small ruminants, PCR consists on a recommendable method for diagnosing animals that carry leptospires. Control of leptospirosis in small ruminants involves measures such as the identification and treatment of the carriers and other sources of infection, quarantine in acquired animals, and systematic immunization with commercial vaccines containing the circulating serovars in the herd/flock. Productivity of small ruminant breeding can dramatically increase with adequate sanitary conditions and control of leptospirosis. Immunization of all the animals combined to the treatment of carriers may successfully control the infection and importantly reduce the economic reproductive hazards that are observed under tropical conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler, B. and de la Peña Moctezuma, A., 2010. Leptospira and leptospirosis. Veterinary Microbiology, 140, 287–296.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Adler, B., Lo, M., Seemann, T. and Murray, G.L., 2011. Pathogenesis of leptospirosis: the influence of genomics. Veterinary Microbiology, 153, 73–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Badrawi, T.Y.G, Habasha, F.G. and Sulta, S.H., 2010. Serological study of Leptospirosis in cattle, sheep and goats in Baghdad Province. Al-Anbar Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 3, 78–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andreani, E., Tolari, F. and Farina, R., 1983. Experimental infection in sheep with Leptospira interrogans serotype hardjo. British Veterinary Journal, 139, 165–170.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Azevedo, S.S., Alves, C.J., Andrade, J.S.L., Santos, F.A., Freitas, T.D. and Batista, C., 2004. Isolation of Leptospira from kidneys of sheep in slaughter. Arquivos do Instituto Biológico, 71, 383–385.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourhy, P., Vray, M. and Picardeau, M., 2013. Evaluation of an in-house ELISA using the intermediate species Leptospira fainei for diagnosis of leptospirosis. Journal of Medical Microbiology, 62, 822–827.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cacchione, R.A., Cedro, V.C.F., Bulgini, M.J.D., Casceli, S. and Martinez, E.S., 1963. Investigación sobre su frecuencia en la Argentina. Aislamiento y clasificación de una cepa ovina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Serie Técnica, 24.

  • Cerri, D., Nuvoloni, R., Ebani, V., Pedrini, A., Mani, P., Andreani, E. and Farina, R., 1996. Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo in the kidneys and genital tracts of naturally infected sheep. New Microbiologica, 19, 175–178.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cousins, D.V., Ellis, T.M., Parkinson, J. and McGlashan, C.H., 1989. Evidence for sheep as a maintenance host for Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo. Veterinary Record, 124, 123–124.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Desvars, A., Naze, F., Benneveau, A., Cardinale, E. and Michault, A., 2012. Endemicity of leptospirosis in domestic and wild animal species from Reunion Island (Indian Ocean). Epidemiology and Infection, 141, 1154–1165.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dorjee, S., Heuer, C., Jackson, R., West, D.M., Collins-Emerson, J.M., Midwinter, A.C. and Ridler, A.L., 2008. Prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in sheep in a sheep-only abattoir in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 56, 164–170.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dos Santos, J., Lima-Ribeiro, A., Oliveira, P., Santos, M. dos, Ferreira, A, Medeiros, A. and Tavares, T., 2012. Seroprevalence and risk factors for Leptospirosis in goats in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 44, 101–106.

  • Ellis, G.R., Partington, D.L., Hindmarsh, M. and Barton, M.D., 1994. Seroprevalence to Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo in merino stud rams in South Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal, 71, 203–206.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, W.A., Bryson, D.G., Neill, S.D., McParland, P.J. and Malone, F.E., 1983. Possible involvement of leptospires in abortion, stillbirths and neonatal deaths in sheep. Veterinary Record, 112, 291–293.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, W.A., 1994. Leptospirosis as a cause of reproductive failure. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 10, 463–478.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Everard, C.O., Fraser-Chanpong, G.M., James, A.C. and Butcher, L.V., 1985. Serological studies on leptospirosis in livestock and chickens from Grenada and Trinidad. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 79, 859–864.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • FAOSTAT, 2011. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: FAOSTAT Database. FAO Statistical Databases. Available at: http://faostat.fao.org.

  • Farina, R., Cerri, D., Renzoni, G., Andreani, E., Mani, P., Ebani, V., Pedrini, A. and Nuvoloni, R., 1996. Leptospira interrogans in the genital tract of sheep. Research on ewes and rams experimentally infected with serovar hardjo (hardjobovis). New Microbiologica, 19, 235–242.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gerritsen, M.J., Koopmans, M.J., Peterse, D. and Olyhoek, T., 1994. Sheep as maintenance host for Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo subtype hardjobovis. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 55, 1232–1237.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Giangaspero, M., Bonfini, B., Orusa, R., Savini, G., Osawa, T. and Harasawa, R., 2013. Epidemiological survey for Toxoplasma gondii, Chlamydia psittaci var. ovis, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, Coxiella burnetii, Brucella spp., leptospirosis, and Orf Virus among sheep from northern districts of Japan. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 75, 679–684.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, L.M., 1980. Isolation of Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo from sheep. Australian Veterinary Journal, 56, 348–349.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, G.H., Smith, G. and Schloss, W., 1988. Seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies in the Jamaican livestock population. Veterinary Record, 122, 419–420.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grooms, D.L. and Bolin, C.A., 2005. Diagnosis of fetal loss caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus and Leptospira spp. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 21, 463–472.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grooms, D.L., 2006. Reproductive losses caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus and leptospirosis. Theriogenology, 66, 624–628.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Higino, S.S.S., Santos, F.A., Costa, D.F., Santos, C.S.A.B.., Silva, M.L.C.R., Alves, C.J. and Azevedo, S.S., 2013. Flock-level risk factors associated with leptospirosis in dairy goats in a semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 109, 158–161.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khbou, K., Hammami, S. and Kodjo, A., 2010. Séroprévalence des anticorps anti-leptospires chez les ovins dans la région d'El Fahs, Tunisie. Revue de Médecine Vétérinaire, 4, 185–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kingscote, B., 1985. Leptospirosis in sheep in Western Canada. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 26, 164–168.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kosgey, I.S., Baker, R.L., Udo, H.M.J. and Van Arendonk, J.A.M., 2006. Successes and failures of small ruminant breeding programmes in the tropics: a review. Small Ruminant Research, 61, 13–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leon-Vizcaino, L., De Mendoza, M.H. and Garrido, F., 1987. Incidence of abortions caused by leptospirosis in sheep and goats in Spain. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 10, 149–153.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levett, P.N., Whittington, C.U. and Camus, E., 1996. Serological survey of leptospirosis in livestock animals in the Lesser Antilles. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 791, 369–377.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lilenbaum, W., Souza, G.N., Ristow, P., Moreira, M.C., Fráguas, S., Cardoso, V.S. and Oelemann, W.M.R., 2007a. A serological study on Brucella abortus, caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus and Leptospira in dairy goats in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Veterinary Journal, 173, 408–412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lilenbaum, W, Morais, Z.M., Gonçales, A.P., Souza, G.O., Richtzenhain, L.J. and Vasconcello, S.A., 2007b. First isolation of leptospires from dairy goats in Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 38, 507–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lilenbaum, W., Varges, R., Brandão, F.Z., Cortez, A., Souza, S.O., de, Brandão, P.E., Richtzenhain, L.J. and Vasconcellos, S.A., 2008a. Detection of Leptospira spp. in semen and vaginal fluids of goats and sheep by polymerase chain reaction. Theriogenology, 69, 837–842.

  • Lilenbaum, W., Varges, R., Medeiros, L., Cordeiro, A.G., Cavalcanti, A., Souza, G. N., Richtzenhain, L. and Vasconcellos, S.A., 2008b. Risk factors associated with leptospirosis in dairy goats under tropical conditions in Brazil. Research in Veterinary Science, 84, 14–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lilenbaum, W., Varges, R., Ristow, P., Cortez, A., Souza, S.O., Richtzenhain, L.J. and Vasconcellos, S.A., 2009. Identification of Leptospira spp. carriers among seroreactive goats and sheep by polymerase chain reaction. Research in Veterinary Science, 87, 16–19.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Limmathurotsakul, D., Turner, E.L., Wuthiekanun, V., Thaipadungpanit, J., Suputtamongkol, Y., Chierakul, W., Smythe, L.D., Day, N.P.J., Cooper, B. and Peacock, S.J., 2012. Fool's gold: Why imperfect reference tests are undermining the evaluation of novel diagnostics: a reevaluation of 5 diagnostic tests for leptospirosis. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 55, 322–331.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mailloux, M., 1969. Caprine and ovine leptospirosis. Bulletin de la Société de Pathologie Exotique et de ses Filiales, 62, 508–516.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maronpot, R.R. and Barsoum, I.S., 1972. Leptospiral microscopic agglutinating antibodies in sera of man and domestic animals in Egypt. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 21, 467–472.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martins, G., Penna, B. and Lilenbaum, W., 2010. Maintenance of Leptospira infection in cattle under tropical conditions. Veterinary Record, 167, 629–630.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martins, G., Penna, B., Hamond, C., Leite, R.C.-K., Silva, A., Ferreira, A., Brandão, F., Oliveira, F. and Lilenbaum, W., 2012a. Leptospirosis as the most frequent infectious disease impairing productivity in small ruminants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 44, 773–777.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martins, G., Brandão, F.Z., Hamond, C., Medeiros, M. and Lilenbaum, W., 2012b. Diagnosis and control of an outbreak of leptospirosis in goats with reproductive failure. Veterinary Journal, 193, 600–601.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moch, R.W., Ebner, E.E., Barsoum, L.S. and Botros, B.A., 1975. Leptospirosis in Ethiopia: a serological survey in domestic and wild animals. Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 78, 38–42.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Motie, A. and Myers, D.M., 1986. Leptospirosis in sheep and goats in Guyana. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 18, 113–114.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Natarajaseenivasan, K. and Ratnam, S., 1999. Isolation of Leptospira Javanica from sheep. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 69, 759–761.

    Google Scholar 

  • OIE, 2008. Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, 6ª ed., World Organisation for Animal Health, Paris.

  • Otaka, D.Y., Martins, G., Hamond, C., Penna, B., Medeiros, M.A. and Lilenbaum, W, 2012. Serology and PCR for bovine leptospirosis: herd and individual approaches. Veterinary Record, 170, 338.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pinna, M., Varges, R., Abreu, R. and Lilenbaum, W., 2007. Outbreak of equine leptospirosis by S. Bratislava. Online Journal of Veterinary Research, 11, 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinna, A.E., Martins, G., Hamond, C., Lilenbaum, W. and Medeiros, M.A., 2011. Molecular diagnostics of leptospirosis in horses is becoming increasingly important. Veterinary Microbiology, 153, 413.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pollott, G. and Wilson, R., 2009. Sheep and goats for diverse products and profits. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pugh, D.G., 2001, Sheep and goat medicine. 2a ed., Saunders, Maryland Heights.

  • Sawhney, A.N., 1968. Leptospirosis in goats in Madhya Pradesh: a serological survey. Indian Veterinary Journal, 45, 103–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seixas, L.S., Melo, C.B., Leite, R.C., Moreira, É.C., McManus, C.M. and Castro, M.B., 2011. Anti-Leptospira sp. agglutinins in ewes in the Federal District, Brazil. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 43, 9–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shigidi, M.T., 1974. Animal leptospirosis in the Sudan. British Veterinary Journal, 130, 528–531.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silva, É.F., Brod, C.S., Cerqueira, G.M., Bourscheidt, D., Seyffert, N., Queiroz, A., Santos, C.S., Ko, A.I. and Dellagostin, O.A., 2007. Isolation of Leptospira noguchii from sheep. Veterinary Microbiology, 121, 144–149.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Subharat, S., Wilson, P.R., Heuer, C. and Collins-Emerson, J.M., 2011. Vaccination for leptospirosis improved the weaning percentage of 2-year-old farmed red deer hinds in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 59, 191–196.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suepaul, S.M., Carrington, C.V., Campbell, M., Borde, G. and Adesiyun, A.A., 2011. Seroepidemiology of leptospirosis in livestock in Trinidad. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 43, 367–375.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suwancharoen, D., Chaisakdanugull, Y., Thanapongtharm, W. and Yoshida, S., 2013. Serological survey of leptospirosis in livestock in Thailand. Epidemiology and Infection. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0950268812002981.

  • Tripathy, D.N., Hanson, L.E., Mansfield, M.E. and Thilsted, J.P., 1985. Experimental infection of lactating goats with Leptospira interrogans serovars pomona and hardjo. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 46, 2512–2514.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Hœden, J., 1953. Leptospirosis among goats in Israel. Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics, 63, 101–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Riel, J. and Van Riel, M., 1956. Investigation into leptospirosis in goats and sheep in Central Africa. Documenta de Medicina Geographica et Tropica, 8, 55–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermunt, J.J., West, D.M., Cooke, M.M., Alley, M.R. and Collins-Emerson, J., 1994. Observations on three outbreaks of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona infection in lambs. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 42, 133–136.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 24210-130

    Gabriel Martins & Walter Lilenbaum

Authors
  1. Gabriel Martins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Walter Lilenbaum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Walter Lilenbaum.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Martins, G., Lilenbaum, W. Leptospirosis in sheep and goats under tropical conditions. Trop Anim Health Prod 46, 11–17 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-013-0480-6

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-013-0480-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation