Acute leptospirosis in horses: A retrospective study of 11 cases (2015-2023)

Background

Reports of leptospirosis in horses are limited.

Objectives

To describe the clinical and diagnostic findings of acute systemic leptospirosis in horses.

Animals

Eleven client-owned horses presented to an equine hospital because of acute onset of disease between 2015 and 2023.

Methods

Retrospective case series. Horses diagnosed with leptospirosis by 1 or more of urine PCR, serologic microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and histopathology.

Results

Common clinical signs included lethargy (10), anorexia (10), fever (9), tachypnea (9), abnormal lung sounds (9), and epistaxis (6). Acute kidney injury was present in all cases. Evidence of pulmonary hemorrhage and liver disease was found in 8 (73%) and 6 (55%) horses, respectively. In 6 (55%) horses, kidneys, lungs, and liver were affected. Urine quantitative polymerase chain reaction for detection of pathogenic Leptospira spp. was positive in 6 (55%) cases. On serology Leptospira interrogans serovar Australis, Autumnalis, and Bratislava accounted for 86% of all titers ≥1 : 800. Overall case fatality rate was 4/11 (36%). Main findings on necropsy were tubular necrosis, interstitial nephritis, hemorrhage in the alveoli, pulmonary edema, periportal hepatitis and necrosis, cholestasis, and cholangitis.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Leptospirosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses with evidence of acute systemic inflammation and acute renal injury, epistaxis, or hepatic disease. For increased likelihood of identifying positive cases, both MAT serology and urine PCR should be performed.