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Bovine Leptospirosis. A Review¹

Department of Veterinary Pathology and Hygiene, University of Illinois, Urbana

ABSTRACT

Bovine leptospirosis is a disease of cattle caused by infection with motile filamentous bacteria belonging to the genus Leptospira. Leptospira pomona is the most prevalent species involving both cattle and swine in the United States.

Leptospires are readily destroyed by heat, desiccation, and most chemicals, but can survive for extended periods in stream and pond water. Moving streams provide a ready mode for dissemination, since skin contacts with urine-contaminated water apparently result in the most frequent route of infection.

Fever, anemia, mastitis, and abortion are the most characteristic signs of leptospirosis in infected cattle. The kidney is affected most consistently, with the development of an interstitial nephritis.

Laboratory diagnoses of leptospirosis may be accomplished by isolation of the organism in artificial media and laboratory animals, by demonstration of organisms in kidney and liver tissues with silver stains, or by demonstration of antibodies with various serological tests. Most diagnostic laboratories routinely perform serological tests.

Although some antibiotics aid in the control of leptospirosis, treatment to be effective, must be started early in the course of the disease. Vaccination is widely practiced in all areas of the United States. Experimental studies with the various vaccines available demonstrate that a definite but not complete or durable protection is provided by these vaccines.

¹ This paper was not intended to be a complete review on Leptospirosis, but it includes the pertinent literature on pathogenesis, causative agents, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and control.