Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with leptospirosis (L. interrogans) in bovine cattle in northeastern Mexico.

The seroprevalence of Leptospira interrogans serovars in cattle was determined by analyzing 385 serum samples from 8 Rural Development Districts (RDD), in Temaulipas, Mexico. A microscopic agglutination test (MAT) including 9 serovars of L. interrogans as antigens was used. Serum samples were considered positive when 50% or more of agglutination in a dilution of >= 1:100 was observed. A total of 70.4% animals were reported positive for one or more serovars. The most frequent antibodies reported were those against serovars tarassovi (53.25%) hardjo (23.64%) and canicola (15.32%), whilst serovar bataviae (0.52%) was found at lower frequency. Mante district showed the highest (100%) seroprevalence followed by Laredo (87.7%) and Gonzalez (76.4%), while in San Fernando district, a lower seroprevalence was noted (47.9%) with statistically significant differences between RDD's (p<0.05). In order to identify possible risk factors related to leptospirosis, survey questionnaires were administered to herd owners. Breed and the presence of domestic and wild animals that consumed placenta and aborted fetuses were the only variables associated with the seroprevalence of leptospirosis.