Chronic Leptospirosis in a Breeding Bull: A Case Report

TL;DR

This case report details a breeding bull with chronic leptospirosis, highlighting the challenges in diagnosing and managing this neglected zoonotic disease in cattle.

Contribution

The report presents a documented case of chronic bovine leptospirosis with persistent shedding, emphasizing diagnostic and management difficulties.

Findings

The bull showed persistent seroconversion to Leptospira Sejroe var Hardjo.

Repeated real-time PCR positivity in urine samples indicated chronic shedding.

The case underscores the need for improved diagnosis and management of bovine leptospirosis.

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a (re-)emerging and global zoonotic disease. Given the complex host-pathogen interaction and the numerous environmental risk factors related to the transmission, a One Health approach to both disease prevention and control is needed. Occurring at the human–cattle–environment interfaces, bovine leptospirosis represents a zoonotic risk for the professionals in the field, besides being a potential cause of significant economic losses due to the bovine reproductive disorders. Although climatic change is a potential factor in exacerbating the risk of leptospirosis in Europe, this disease remains largely neglected, with several knowledge gaps in research, investigations, and diagnosis of bovine genital leptospirosis syndrome across the continent. The present report describes the results of the diagnostic investigations on a case of chronic bovine leptospirosis in a breeding bull. Following the seroconversion to Leptospira Sejroe var Hardjo after the arrival of the animal in a quarantine facility, a monitoring plan including both serological/molecular analyses and a therapeutic protocol was undertaken. The bull exhibited a persistent seroconversion and a repeated positivity for Leptospira to real-time PCR in urine samples, indicative of a chronic shedder pattern. This report emphasizes the diagnostic and management challenges in the context of such a complex but frequently overlooked disease.

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