Serological study of the distribution of leptospira interrogans (Serotype Jules) and five other leptospires in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

Five hundred and thirty-five sera from the three main species of livestock in Jamaica (cows, pigs and goats) were tested for leptospiral antibodies by the microscopic agglutination technique. Three hundred and sixteen (59.1 percent) were reactive with titres equal or greater than 1100. There was reactivity to six serotypes with the following frequencies jules 51.9 percent, icterohaemorrhagiae 28.1 percent, autumnalis 8.3 percent, canicola 6.1 percent, pomona 5.2 percent and abramis 0.4 percent Jules thus has the highest frequency of occurrence. The highest percentage of reactive sera (65.5 percent) and the widest distribution of serotypes occurred in the pig. The study confirms that leptospirosis is enzootic and endemic in Jamaica (AU)