Molecular research of Leptospira spp. in kidneys of cattle / Investigação molecular de Leptospira spp. em rins de bovinos

ABSTRACT

Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease caused by Leptospira spp. that affects wild and domestic animals and humans. It has a worldwide distribution and causes public health problems and economic losses in livestock. The genus Leptospira is divided basically into two species the Leptospira interrogans that is pathogenic and Leptospira biflexa that is considered saprobic. Cattle are an important source of infection, mainly to humans who work with these animals such as breeders, cowboys, slaughtermen, veterinarians and agricultural technicians. The temperature and rainfall indices of tropical and subtropical climate regions encourage the continuing disease outbreaks. In humans the symptoms are headache, fever, myalgia, nausea and vomiting. The identification of the disease is possible with some tests such as ELISA, immunofluorescence, bacterial culture, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The aim of this work was to perform the molecular research for the presence of Leptospira spp. in kidneys of cattle refuted at a slaughterhouse. Materials, Methods & Results: Two hundred fragments of cattle kidney were collected at slaughterhouse located at Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil. The macroscopic kidney refutation causes were nefritis, presence of cysts, congestion and presence of whitening and hemorrhagic areas. The kidney samples were placed in plastic containers identif

RESUMO

Leptospiras são bactérias espiroquetas móveis pertencentes ao gênero Leptospira que é composto por duas espécies L. interrogans que é patogênica com mais de 200 sorotipos e L. biflexa que é sapróbica. A leptospirose tem ocorrência mundial, porém as regiões com climas tropical e subtropical favorecem a ocorrência da doença, sendo endêmica no Brasil. [...]