Isolation of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo from a viable premature calf.
A severe outbreak of agalactia in a dairy herd of 80 cows was followed by six premature calvings and an abortion. Serological and bacteriological studies identified Leptospira hardjo as the probable cause. A leptospire isolated from the kidney of a premature calf killed seven weeks post partum was identified as hardjo and it is probable that this infection was acquired in utero. The maintenance of such an infection for a considerable period after birth has not been previously described and may play a role in the transmission of hardjo to susceptible in-contact animals.
D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle / Q000382:microbiology*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000382:microbiology; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007921:Leptospira interrogans / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011247:Pregnancy; D006113:United Kingdom; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial