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Bovine Leptospirosis in the United States

College of Veterinary Medicine, The State College of Washington, Pullman

ABSTRACT

Bovine leptospirosis is a contagious disease of health significance to the public and of financial importance to the stock owner. Recent interest in this disease has stimulated research, and many publications have appeared pertaining to it. A review of some important features of bovine leptospirosis is presented here.

Canine leptospirosis has been recognized in the United States since 1937 (6), but bovine leptospirosis was not diagnosed in this country until 1944 (5). Recognition of the disease in cattle was sporadic until York (9) in 1952 introduced a practicable serological test for diagnosis. His publication stimulated national interest in the disease among veterinary and allied workers.

Cause and Transmission

Leptospira pomona is the principal cause of bovine leptospirosis in the United States. L. sejroe, L. grippotyphosa, L. canicola, and L. hebdomadis have been identified occasionally in cattle by serology. The severity of symptoms varies among species of the infecting organism, degree of exposure, and resistance of the infected animal.