Sero prevalence of leptospirosis and brucellosis in cattle and goats of A & N Islands

摘要

A & N Islands provides unique opportunities for studying livestock production system in hot and humid climate of tropics. Studies on incidence of livestock diseases are important for maintaining health and production. Leptospirosis and Brucellosis are contagious diseases of livestock and have importance from the point of view of public health. The sero prevalence of leptospirosis and brucellosis among the cattle and goats of Research Farm of the Institute was tested. A total of 37 serum samples were collected from cattle and goat of the Institute farm of different age and sex groups. The serum samples were tested for antibodies against leptospirosis and brucellosis by plate and tube agglutination test. Results of the above study revealed that outof 37 serum sample tested 18.9 per cent were positive for leptospirosis in both cattle and goat. In cattle, 11.76 percent while, in goat 25 percent samples were positive for leptospirosis, (Table - 1). All the serum samples were negative for brucellosis.It appeared that L. grippotyphosa and L. hardjo are predominant serovar and the seroprevalence varies among species and between places (Rathnam et al., 1990 and Biswal, et al., 2000). The earlier studies (Shome, et al., 1998) have already reported seroprevalence of 16.25 percent brucellosis, in these Islands but in the present screening, there was no positive case found in the Institute farm. Higher incidence of leptospirosis needs large scale cero prevalence studies among the livestock of A&N Islands.