Leptospiral shedding and seropositivity in asymptomatic stray dogs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a (re) emerging zoonosis that occurs worldwide. Dogs could develop infections that range from asymptomatic to severe, and shed leptospires with their urin. The aim of this study was to compare the results of real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) by examining urine samples, and serological examination of the blood of stray dogs by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) on ten serovars of Leptospira spp. A total of 100 blood samples and 50 urine samples of clinically healthy stray dogs were collected from June to November 2024 in the Banja Luka region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Positive MAT titres (≥ 100) were detected in 15,0 % (15/100) of samples. Dogs were most commonly reactive to Australis (60,0 %) followed by Pomona (26,67 %) Bratislava (20.0 %), Canicola (13,33 %) and 6,67 % for Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa and Sejroe serovars. A positive result of the qPCR test was found in 11 (22.0 %) dogs, with only one of these dogs was positive in the MAT test. It has been found that MAT is not a good method for identifying dogs that shed leptospires in their urine. The study indicates a significant prevalence of leptospirosis in clinically healthy dogs. Therefore, it is important to implement appropriate control measures to prevent further spread of the disease in both human and animal populations.