Leptospira Seroprevalence Among Ugandan Slaughter Cattle: Comparison of Sero-Status With Renal Leptospira Infection

Abstract

Leptospirosis is one of the most wide spread zoonotic bacterial diseases that is endemic in subtropical and tropical countries; accounting for a global annual incidence of 1.03 million human cases and 58,900 deaths (1). The etiological agents of the disease are spirochetes of the genus Leptospira, comprising over 250 pathogenic serovars (2). Certain serovars are known to be regionally endemic and reserved in certain species of wild mammals and domesticated animals. These carrier animals may remain asymptomatic but capable of transmitting leptospires to other animal species (incidental hosts) and humans, via direct contact with contaminated urine or indirectly through contaminated water and soil (3). Particularly, cattle have been reported to maintain serovars Hardjo, Sejroe and at times Pomona (3–5).