Seroprevalence and risk factors of bovine leptospirosis in the province of Manabi, Ecuador

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution. The disease affects dairy and beef cattle, causing infertility, abortion, and reduced milk yield. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in cattle and the associated risk factors in the province of Manabi, Ecuador. Serum samples from 749 animals from 55 cattle herds were analyzed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Animals were considered positive when titers were >= 1:100. The association between the potential risk factors and the positive Leptospira result was modeled at both animal and herd level using a generalized linear model with a binomial distribution and logarithmic link. The seroprevalence was 56.21% at the individual level and 98.18% at the herd level. The most prevalent serovars were Pomona (28.57%) and Icterohaemorragiae (22.30%). At the animal level, only the age was associated with leptospirosis seropositivity. Seroprevalence in animals over three years of age was 1.197 (95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.032 - 1.390), higher compared to animals up to three years old. The seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. was higher in farms with no veterinary assistance (PR =1.209; 95%CI 1.053 - 1.388) and without a vaccination program against Leptospira (PR =1.399; 95%CI 1.09 1.794). In addition, herds from Junin canton had a significantly higher seroprevalence of Leptospira spp (PR =1.548; 95%CI 1.213 1.977) compared to the Bolivar canton, which had the lowest seroprevalence. In conclusion, more than half of the animals were positive to Leptospiraspp, and almost all herds had at least one positive animal. Furthermore, veterinary assistance and vaccination of cattle must be considered as essential aspects of the disease control program.