Seropositivity to Leptospira interrogans serovar Bratislava associated to reproductive problems without significant biochemical or hematological alterations in horses

Abstract

The objective was to study haematological and biochemical alterations associated to seropositivity to Leptospira interrogans serovar Bratislava infection in horses with reproductive alterations, such as neonatal deaths, embryonic deaths and abortions. A flock of mares with poor reproductive performance was studied. Eighty-two (58.6%) were seropositive (titre 200); 72 of those (87.8%) for Bratislava. Slight haematological and biochemical alterations were observed, being more frequent (P<0.05) in horses seropositive versus seronegative. In conclusion horses seropositive for Bratislava had no consistent, severe alteration in values for hematology and biochemistry serum. Those findings reinforce this serovar as adapted to the horse and causing only mild symptoms, focused on reproductive problems.