Serodiagnosis and molecular survey on leptospiral abortions in the dairy cattle of Tabriz

ABSTRACT

Leptospirosis is an important infectious disease of animals and humans caused by the pathogenic leptospires which are classified into one species of Leptospira interrogans containing over 212 serovars. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Leptospira-induced abortions in Tabriz [north-west of Iran] dairy herds and to determine the pathogenic Leptospira serovars responsible. From May 2008 through August 2010, 16 [21.05%] of 76 submissions [fetuses and placentas] to the Large Animal Clinic of the Veterinary Faculty at the University of Tabriz were diagnosed as positive to L. interrogans serovars by PCR