Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. infection in Cattle from Central and Northern Madagascar

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance, especially in tropical countries. The current Leptospira spp. seroprevalence in cattle from central and northern Madagascar is unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence resulting from infections with pathogenic Leptospira spp. in zebu cattle from these areas. Serum samples from 194 animals were tested by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using a panel of 12 serovars as antigens. Samples with a titer of ≥1:100 were considered positive. The overall seroprevalence was 59.3% (95% CI; 52.0-66.2%) with titers ranging from 1:100 to 1:1600. Among the seropositive animals, the most frequent antibody reactions were against serovar L. Tarassovi (serogroup L. Tarassovi) with 40.2% (33.3-47.5%), followed by L. Hardjo (L. Sejroe) with 13.9% (9.5-19.8%), L. Grippotyphosa (L. Grippotyphosa) with 9.8% (6.2-15.1%), L. Pomona (L. Pomona) with 7.7% (4.5-12.7%) and L. Autumnalis (L. Autumnalis) with 5.2% (2.6-9.5%). Less than 5% of the samples reacted positively against the remaining serovars. These results indicate a very high exposure of Malagasy cattle to Leptospira spp. which, consequently, poses a definite risk for people working with cattle acquiring this zoonotic infection.