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Association between serum copper concentration and the risk of bovine leptospirosis

Comparative Clinical Pathology volume 24, pages 1307–1310 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease found in nearly all parts of the world. This disease is exacerbated by a weakened immune system. Copper is an important component of the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of copper deficiency on leptospirosis occurrence. A total of 260 serum samples were randomly collected from eight industrial and semi-industrial dairy farms from center and southeast of Iran. Microscopic agglutination test to check leptospirosis was performed. Serum copper level was analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Fifty-eight serum samples had detectable antibodies against at least one serovar of Leptospira interrogans at a dilution of ≥1:100, and among the positive cows, 55 samples were copper deficient. In contrast, there were 202 serologically negative subjects, 29 of these samples had copper deficiency. Copper deficiency can weaken immunity and thus exacerbate the incidence of leptospirosis.

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Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by the research council of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran.

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We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, P.O. Box: 76169-133, Kerman, 7616914111, Iran

    Elham Mohammadi

  2. Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

    Ehsanollah Sakhaee

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  1. Elham Mohammadi
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  2. Ehsanollah Sakhaee
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Correspondence to Elham Mohammadi.

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Mohammadi, E., Sakhaee, E. Association between serum copper concentration and the risk of bovine leptospirosis. Comp Clin Pathol 24, 1307–1310 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-015-2069-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-015-2069-0

Keywords

  • Copper
  • Immune system
  • Leptospirosis
  • Cattle