title: Leptospira interrogansserogroup Pomona infections in the UK: is there a real threat for farm animals?
abstract: Current typing ofLeptospirastrains requires a combination of both serological and molecular methods. Study of the epidemiology of strains within the Pomona serogroup has proved problematic due to the limitations of serological typing methods. This is particularly true of the two main complexes within this group, namely the Pomona, Monjakov, Kennewicki cluster inLeptospira interrogansspecies and the Mozdok, Tsaratsovo, Kunming, Altodouro cluster inLeptospira kirschneriStrains from the south of England have been shown previously to belong toL kirschneriserovar Mozdok, strains of which are maintained by small rodents in western Europe. While they may occasionally cause disease in domestic animals, they are unlikely to be of economic importance. In contrast,L interrogansserovar Pomona type Kennewicki strains have been shown to be significant animal pathogens, especially in north America, whileL interrogansserovar Pomona types Pomona and Monjakov have not been associated with significant economic loss. The purpose of this study was to examine 10 UK serovar Pomona isolates to assess type as a means of assessing the possible risk they pose to British livestock. All isolates were identified asL interrogansserovar Pomona type Pomona and were therefore unlikely to pose a significant threat to domestic animals in the UK.
authors.affiliation: OIE Leptospira Reference Laboratory, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Stoney Road, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SD, UK.|University Centre of Veterinary Medicine UJ-UR, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, Krakow 30-059, Poland.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Arent
authors.affiliation: OIE Leptospira Reference Laboratory, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Stoney Road, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SD, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gilmore
authors.affiliation: APHA-Starcross VI Centre, Staplake Mount, Starcross, Exeter, Devon EX6 8PE, UK.|Formerly AHVLA Langford, Langford House, Langford, Somerset BS40 5DX, UK.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.affiliation: Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: OIE Leptospira Reference Laboratory, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Stoney Road, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SD, UK.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D007921:Leptospira interrogans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D065288:Serogroup; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Leptospira; Pomona; leptospirosis