Monitoring the spread of leptospirosis agent as one of the reasons of low-quality milk

Abstract

On the global scale of the zoonoses problem, leptospirosis is among the five diseases that pose the greatest threat to humankind today. Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira species. In general, leptospirosis has been registered in more than 150 species of mammals. There are about 300 serovars of Leptospira spp. Serovar Hardjo is one of the most common causes of leptospirosis among cattle globally. In cows, the infection can be completely asymptomatic or cause abortions, stillbirths, infertility, and mastitis. The study's relevance is determined by the negative impact on the economy – productivity loss, and high cost of medical-preventive activities. Leptospirosis also affects humans. In this regard, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of antibodies to Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo in tank milk samples from cows selected from farms in different regions of Ukraine. The method of indirect enzyme-multiplied immunoassay was used for this problem to be investigated. We have investigated 114 tank samples from 66 Ukrainian farms, 63.2% positive, and 36.8% negative. It was established that antibodies to the causative agent of leptospirosis were recorded in different regions of Ukraine. It has been established that the largest number of positive samples was from Kyiv and Cherkasy regions. Our study results complement the study results of other authors and indicate the circulation of this causative agent among the cows in Ukraine, as well as being of practical value for diagnosing and controlling leptospirosis among the cattle.