Leptospira pomona infection in an eastern red fox (Vulpes fulva fulva)

Abstract

THE presence of leptospirosis in Pennsylvania cattle has been well established1-3. An epizootiological investigation to determine the relationship between bovine and sylvan leptospirosis is at present being undertaken in south-eastern Pennsylvania. Infected cattle herds are identified and their premises intensively trapped for wild-life. Trapped animals are examined for infection by serological and cultural techniques. Isolations of leptospires have been made from the following animals : woodchuck4, opossum, skunk, racoon and Norwegian rat. This communication is believed to be the first to report the isolation of Leptospira pomona from an eastern red fox (Vulpes fulva fulva)5. The fox was trapped on the premises of a known infected cattle herd. Prior to the start of trapping, Leptospira pomona had been isolated from cattle and from surface waters on this farm. © 1960 Nature Publishing Group.