Application of an integrated outbreak management plan for the control of leptospirosis in dairy cattle herds.

Abstract

SUMMARY:

Two outbreaks of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo infection in dairy cattle herds were managed through the application of enhanced biosecurity measures, whole-herd antibiotic treatment and vaccination. Micro-agglutination test antibody titres were determined in paired serum samples at 3 weeks (T1: n = 125, 97% seropositivity, median 800, range 100-12 800) and 24 weeks (T2: n = 110, 88% seropositivity, median 200, range 100-6400) after vaccination and studied in relation to cows' age, herd of origin and sampling time. From T1 to T2, vaccine-elicited antibody titres decreased by 84·7% (95% CI 76·2-90·1). Consistent with increasing immunocompetence in calves (aged <12 months) and immunosenescence in adult cows (aged >36 months) associated with ageing, antibody titres correlated positively with calves' age and negatively with adult cows' age. No cow had cultivable, (histo)pathologically detectable and/or PCR-detectable leptospires in urine or kidney samples after treatment and vaccination. Vaccination together with proper biosecurity measures and chemoprophylaxis are an affordable insurance to control bovine leptospirosis.

• Authors: L Mughini-Gras, L Bonfanti, A Natale, A Comin, A Ferronato, E La Greca, T Patregnani, L Lucchese, S Marangon
• Journal: Epidemiology and infection (Epidemiol Infect) Vol. 142 Issue 6 Pg. 1172-81 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 1469-4409 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23920354 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Bacterial Vaccines

Topics

• Abortion, Veterinary (epidemiology, microbiology, prevention & control)
• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Bacterial Vaccines (immunology)
• Cattle
• Cattle Diseases (drug therapy, epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Dairying
• Disease Outbreaks (prevention & control, veterinary)
• Italy (epidemiology)
• Kidney (microbiology)
• Leptospira (isolation & purification)
• Leptospirosis (drug therapy, epidemiology, prevention & control, veterinary)
• Seroepidemiologic Studies
• Urine (microbiology)
• Vaccination