Serological prevalence of leptospirosis in cattle slaughtered in the Zango abattoir in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Leptospirosis is an occupational zoonosis caused by pathogenic leptospires. In this study, the presence and prevalence of antibodies specific to Leptospira spp. serovar Hardjo in 142 cattle slaughtered between June and July 2011 was investigated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Five (3.50%) of the 142 cattle sampled were seropositive for antibodies to Leptospira spp. serovar Hardjo. Despite the fact that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in seropositivity between sexes and between breeds sampled, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in sero-positivity between the different age groups examined. Leptospirosis is present in cattle slaughtered in the Zango abattoir; butchers and abattoir workers are exposed to infected animals and are at risk of being infected by Leptospira spp. serovar Hardjo.
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1069, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. drngbede@hotmail.com
Emmanuel O
EO
Ngbede
Mashood A
MA
Raji
Clara N
CN
Kwanashie
Emmanuel C
EC
Okolocha
Victor T
VT
Gugong
Sunday E
SE
Hambolu
D000003:Abattoirs; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D007919:Leptospira / Q000276:immunology*; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial