Serological evaluation of leptospira serotypes using microscopic agglutination test in Urmia goats

The serological frequency to leptospira serovars was studied in 130 goats in Urmia, Iran, 2012. Blood was collected from goats and sera were separated to evaluate serological reaction to leptospira serovars by Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) using live antigens representing Leptospira interrogans serogroups: grippotyphosa, icterrohaemoragia, canicula, hardjo, ballum and pomona. From 130 serum tested to leptospira 25 samples (19.2%) including 17 males (13.1%) and 8 females (6.1%) had positive reaction to one of the Leptospira interrogans serovars. The most leptospira serovars were pomona (50%), grippotyphosa (40.5%), hardjo (4.75%), icterohaemorrhagiae (2.38%) and canicula (2.38%). The most serological titer for 1:100 was found in 13 (30.9%) cases for pomona, 14 (33.3%) grippotyphosa, and titer 1:200 for Pomona was 8 (19.1%), grippotyphosa 3 (7.17%), hardjo 2 (4.75%), and icterohaemorrhagiae and canicula 1 (2.38%) case. Goats with positive reaction showed against one, two and 5 leptospira serovars were 11 (44%), 13 (52%), and 1 (4%) animals, respectively. Age frequency and percentages in seropositive to overall goats with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 4< years old were 4 (16%), 8 (32%), 7 (28%), 3 (12%) and 3 (12%), for males were 2 (8%), 7 (28%), 5 (20%), 2 (8%), 1 (4%), and females were 2 (8%), (4%), 2 (8%), 1(4%), 2 (8%), respectively. The age comparison of the serovar's distribution in males and females showed significant differences (X=3.76, df=4, P<0.01) in two and three years old for both genders emphasis on female goats. In this study 23.9% of males and 13.6% of females revealed seropositive to leptospira in which there was not significant different between males and females. The comparison of the serovar's distribution for pomona, grippotyphosa, hardjo, canicula and icterhemorrhagia showed significant differences which pomona and grippotyphosa were the predominant among leptospira serovars. It is concluded that the leptospira serovars are detectable in Urmia goats in that the most ones are pomona and grippotyphosa. The presence of one, two or multi serovars is possible and the most ones is pomona. The most general titer was 1:100 and there was no gender difference but the age distribution was from 2 to 3 years old. Therefore, leptospirosis as a zoonotic disease must be considered as an emerging disease and attempt should be paid to reduce the risk of public health.