Prevalence of antibodies against leptospires in the wild boar (Sus scrofa L., 1758)

Abstract

A total of 307 blood sera of the wild boar from different localities of the Breclav district (Czech Republic) were examined in 1999 to 2002. Antibodies against leptospires were found in 16.9% of blood sera examined. The incidence of antibodies in the wild boar varied both in individual years (26.1, 5.3, 25.0 and 12.0%, respectively) and age categories (7.8, 17.3 and 35.7%, respectively) with older individuals being more often positive. There were found no differences in relation to sex (18.2 and 15.0% of positives in males and females, respectively). Positive reactions at low titres (i.e., 100 and 200) predominated in 71.3%. Higher titres (3 200) were only exceptionally found in older individuals (3.8%). All positive reactions concerned only the L. grippotyphosa serotype (100%). The other 11 serotypes tested were negative. On the basis of the results it can be stated that the wild boar is susceptible to infection by leptospires and the occurrence of specific antibodies correlates to a large extent with the presence of leptospires in the environment. In our opinion, the wild boar could be used for purposes of monitoring natural foci of leptospirosis.