Leptospirosis in Pigs: A Silent Economic Drawback in Piggery Industry

Abstract

This chapter reports the epidemiology of Leptospirosis in pigs. Leptospirosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic disease caused by the genus leptospira. The disease is endemic in tropical regions and affects wild, domestic animals and human beings. Pigs from intensively housed, free-range and feral can be infected provided that they directly or indirectly contact with urine from infected reservoir host animals. Clinical manifestations of leptospirosis in pigs range from asymptomatic to chronic depending mainly on the infecting serovar and the age of the animals. Chronic manifestation is associated with loss in productivity of pigs due to placentitis, abortions, stillbirth, infertility and weak neonatal pigs. The laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of leptospirosis include culture, molecular method and serology. Antibiotics such as tetracyclines, dihydrostreptomycin, streptomycin, doxycycline and erythromycin can be used to treat the disease. Control measure of leptospirosis includes vaccination, water sanitation, rodent control and farm hygiene.