Prevalence and risk factors of bovine leptospirosis in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Background and aim: Leptospirosis is an infectious zoonotic disease that significantly affects animal health, particularly the reproduction of ruminants. However, some aspects of epidemiology and clinical characteristics have not been clarified. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify risk factors of leptospirosis in female bovines at reproductive age in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.

Materials and methods: A total of 213 bovines were studied in the Amazon province of Zamora Chinchipe, in which a microscopic agglutination test was used to diagnose a panel of eight serovars of Leptospira borgpetersenii (Sejroe) and Leptospira interrogans, Australis, Bataviae, Canicola, Tarassovi, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Wolffi, and Hardjo. An epidemiological survey was conducted to identify risk factors by animal and herd and clinical symptoms associated with Leptospira spp. infection; and blood samples were collected to determine the differences between seropositive and seronegative animals regarding hematocrit, hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular Hb concentration, total red blood cell count, total platelet count, leukocytes, total proteins, creatinine, and ureic nitrogen.

Results: The prevalence of bovine leptospirosis was 12.21% (26/213), with positive reactions in the Australis, Sejroe, Bataviae, Canicola, and Tarassovi serovars. No variables were considered risk factors, nor clinical signs associated with the infection, nor were there differences in the hematological parameters between the seropositive and seronegative animals.

Conclusion: These findings indicate the persistence of Leptospira on cattle farms in the Ecuadorian Amazon and highlight the interaction between domestic and wild species. It is crucial to implement control measures and improvements in management practices under the One Health approach to reduce accidental infections from contact with wildlife; the awareness of farmers is essential for effective prevention.