Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis among Water Buffaloes, Pigs, and dogs in Selected Areas in the Philippines, 2007 to 2008

Background. Domestic animals are known to be either maintenance or accidental hosts of Leptospira. Determination of seroprevalence of leptospirosis among these animals is of great importance due to their close association with humans, economic loss as well as the public and veterinary health problems caused by the said zoonosis.

Objective. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among water buffaloes, pigs, and dogs in selected areas in the Philippines.

Methods. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used to test for leptospirosis. Testing was done from January 2007 to August 2008.

Results. With the cut-off titer set at 1:80, the MAT-positivity rates were 82%, 67%, and 79% for 190 water buffaloes, 45 pigs, and 106 dogs, respectively. The most common prevailing serovars detected were Hardjo, Tarassovi, and Hebdomadis for water buffaloes; Semaranga, Grippotyphosa, and Patoc for pigs; and, Manilae, Patoc, and Autumnalis for dogs. MAT-positivity rates among these animals in terms of age (except for water buffaloes), sex and sample collection sites were not statistically significant. No Leptospira was isolated from the blood, urine, and kidney samples of these animals.

Conclusion. Results indicate a high seroprevalence of leptospirosis among the animals studied and that several pathogenic leptospires are causing infection in these animals.