Seroprevalence and risk factors for brucellosis and leptospirosis in swine from rural communities of Argentina.

SILVA JULIA; SCIALFA EXEQUIEL; GUTIERREZ, SILVINA; TISNÉS ADELA; RODRÍGUEZ MARCELO; ESTEIN SILVIA; RIVERO MARIANA

REVISTA MVZ CORDOBA

UNIV CORDOBA

Lugar: Cordoba; Año: 2023 vol. 28 p. 1 - 15

0122-0268

Objective. To determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis and leptospirosis in pigs reared in small-scale farms from rural areas of Tandil county, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, to analyze the associated risk factors, to describe the prevalent Leptospira spp. serogroups and to determine the spatial distribution of both diseases. Materials and methods. A total of 340 serum samples were obtained. Buffer Plate Agglutination Test, Rose Bengal Test, and Fluorescence Polarization Assay were used to detect antibodies against Brucella spp. Microscopic Agglutination Test was applied for serological diagnosis of leptospirosis. Statistical methods were used to evaluate the factors associated with the infections. Results. Seroprevalences of 0% and 22.6% were observed for brucellosis and leptospirosis, respectively. The most prevalent Leptospira serogroups identified were Canicola, Ballum, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pomona. The main risk factors associated with leptospirosis infection were the higher number of pigs, the presence of horses and wild boars near or within the farms. The use of milling by-products of cereal grains as animal feed and the presence of weaning cage were also associated. A relevant spatial cluster of seropositivity to Leptospira spp. was identified in a low altitude area. Conclusions. Our results suggest that brucellosis probably was controlled in these productions but leptospirosis was present. Knowledge of brucellosis and leptospirosis seroprevalence, spatial distribution, and associated risk factors can be useful for prevention and control of endemic zoonotic diseases in the region.