Leptospirosis - Pigs

Description

Leptospirosis is an infective disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira. There are a number of serovars of the bacteria which vary in their pathogenesis and host specificity.

Signalment

Leptospirosis has a worldwide distribution; it is more prevalent in warm wet climates. The incidence of disease depends on the serovar involved.

Diagnosis

References

• • Pigs
    • The rodent-adapted serovars icterohaemorrhagica and copenhagenii cause acute disease in pigs
    • Severe disease in young pigs
    • Serovar pomona is the host-adapted species, and may be shed in the urine
    • Infections may cause abortions and stillbirths
    • Pigs are maintenance hosts for serovars tarassovi and bratislava, which may cause reproductive failure