Serological survey of leptospirosis in livestock animals in the Lesser Antilles

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1996 Jul 23:791:369-77. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1996.tb53544.x.

Abstract

A serological survey was performed of 1788 cattle, goats and sheep on 13 islands in the Lesser Antilles. Sera were tested by microscopic agglutination (MAT) using a panel of 22 live antigens. Evidence of past exposure, at a titer of > or = 100, was found in 101 animals (5.6%). Antibodies were more common in cattle and goats (7.2% in each) than in sheep (1.7%). Seroprevalence was highest in cattle in Martinique (20%) and in goats in St. Vincent (23%). The predominant serogroups were Sejroe (largely confined to cattle in Martinique), Autumnalis, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa, and Cynopteri. Eleven cattle from Martinique and 2 sheep with titers of > or = 800 showed evidence of recent infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caribbean Region / epidemiology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases*
  • Geography
  • Goat Diseases*
  • Goats
  • Leptospirosis / epidemiology
  • Leptospirosis / veterinary*
  • Prevalence
  • Serologic Tests
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases*
  • West Indies / epidemiology