Risk factors associated with the likelihood of leptospiral seropositivity in horses in the state of New York

Abstract

Abstract Objective To determine and quantify risk factors associated with exposure of horses to the following serovars of Leptospira interrogans: pomona, autumnalis, and bratislava. Animals 2,551 horses were randomly selected from a target population during the period of May 1991 to August 1993. Procedures Blood was collected from the horses and tested for antibodies to serovars, using the microscopic agglutination test. A titer ≥ 1:100 indicated seropositivity. Information was collected on each horse, its environment, and each farm's management practices. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop a multidimensional indexing system for indices of exposure and to identify factors significantly associated with the risk of seropositivity. These indices were: 1) rodent exposure; 2) wildlife exposure; 3) soil and water; and 4) management. Results Rodent exposure index value was associated with the risk of exposure to all 3 serovars. Management index value was positively associated with the risk of exposure to serovars pomona and bratislava, but not with risk of exposure to serovar autumnalis. Soil and water index value had a positive association with risk of exposure to serovars pomona and autumnalis, but not to serovar bratislava. The wildlife index value and the population density of horses turned out together were associated with the risk of exposure to serovar autumnalis. Age of horse in years was associated nonlinearly (years2) and linearly (years) with the risk of exposure to serovars autumnalis and bratislava, and only linearly with the risk of exposure to serovar pomona. Conclusion Risk of seropositivity to the 3 serovars of L interrogans varies according to age, management practices, population density of horses turned out together, and the values of the rodent exposure, wildlife exposure, and soil and water indices. (Am J Vet Res 1997;58:1097–1103)