Seroprevalence of leptospirosis in the animals in Rohilkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, India

Seroprevalence of leptospirosis was investigated in animals using sera collected from six districts of Uttar Pradesh, India during a period of 2008-2010. Most of these animals were reported to have suffered with fever, jaundice, abortions, repeat breeding etc. A total of 500 sera collected from cattle (250), buffalo (100) and dogs (150) were subjected to microscopic agglutination test, using two leptospiral serovars Viz. L. icterohaemorrhagiae and L. grippotyphosa. More number of samples tested positive for L. icterohaemorrhagiae than for L. grippotyphosa. Seroprevalence was highest in dogs (9.3%) followed by cattle (8.4%) and buffaloes (6.0%). Animals of Badaun district showed highest seroprevalence for leptospirosis (10.9%). In all the animals seroprevalence was higher during rainy and autumn season in comparison to other seasons. The study indicated a high level of the prevalence of leptospirosis in animals of Rohilkhand region warranting continuous investigations in order to suggest control strategies in the future.