Survey of Leptospira Antibodies in Stray Dogs in Kagoshima Prefecture

Abstract

A survey of leptospira antibodies against eight serovars, icterohaemorrhagiae, canicola, autumnalis, hebdomadis, australis, pyrogenes, pomona and hardjo, was carried out on dogs in the four facilities for stray dogs in Kagoshima Prefecture from May 1984 to March 1987. The incidence of positive reactions tended to be higher in males than in females and in older dogs than in younger dogs. Of the 806 dogs surveyed, 190 (23.5%) were positive to one or more leptospiral serovar. The occurrence of leptospirosis did not seem to be related to the season. The incidence of positive reactions was highest to the serovar icterohaemorrhagiae throughout the four areas, and next to serovar canicola in Kagoshima city and Kokubu, and to serovar hebdomadis in Kaseda and Miyanojo. Serovars australis, pyrogenes, pomona and hardjo were also detected in this survey. All dogs examined were clinically normal, with or without antibody. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values in the positive dogs were statistically higher, although within the normal range, than those in the negative dogs.