Caracterização epidemiológica da leptospirose em equídeos do Nordeste Brasileiro.

Abstract

Equideoculture is one of the most important economic activities in Brazil. Specifically the Northeast region encompasses an expressive amount of animals. In regards to their proximity to humans, there is a necessity for healthcare program mainly related to zoonotic infections, for leptospirosis. Thereore, the Chapter I aimed for create a survey based in a spatial scale of the seropositivity of Leptospira sp. in equines throughout four states of Northeast Brazil, such as Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte. A total of 1267 equine’s serum samples were analized using a Microscopic Soroagglutination (MAT), with 376 anti-Leptospira sp. antibodies (frequency of 29.7%). resulting in a frequency of 29.7%. Australis (37.2%) and Icterohaemorrhagiae (29.3%) had a higher occurrence among the serogroups tested. Considering the mesoregion of the states, we observed a high occurrence of the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae, mainly regarding the coastal areas and large urban centers. Based in a univariate analysis, younger animals (1 to 5 years old) presented lower seropositivity in relation to older animals (≥6 years), whe comaring males to females. The frequency of leptospirosis in equines in the Northeast was considered high, showing a wide dissemination of the bacterium and risks both to animal health and public health, relying in the need for an epidemiological alert of the surveillance organs, in order to establish prevention and control measures for the disease zoonosis. Based on the serogroups found, it is recommended improvements in the animal health management of equine breeding properties, such as the control of the entry of new animals and the reduction of overcrowding, aiming to reduce intraspecies contamination, and efficient rodent control, through rat control and anti-ratification. The purpose of Chapter II was to determine the frequency of anti-Leptospira sp. in assemblages of the breed Jumento Nordestino destined to the slaughtering for later export, coming from two properties located in the Sertão of Pernambuco, Brazil. A total of 349 animals were analyzed using a Microscopic Soroagglutination (MAT) and 69 of them reacted with a minimum 1:50 titre, resulting in a frequency of 19.8%. The most frequent serogroup was Icterohaemorrhagiae (40.6%) followed by Australis (27.5%). Animals aged ≥9 years had lower seropositivity than younger animals.The main causes might be attributed to the possible adaptation of animals to serogroups during the time of exposure. The frequency of seropositive species can be considered significant considering the rusticity of the species and the adverse conditions of the semi-arid region of Pernambuco, Northeast of Brazil. This reinforces the need to limit the contact of animals destined to slaughter with rodents, avoiding the extensive creation and establishing sanitary care with the food provided to these animals, as well as the implementation of improvements in the hygienic-sanitary conditions of the properties, with the objective of reduce exposure to the agent and hence the chances of humans and other animals being infected.