[WITHDRAWN] OCCURRENCE OF ANTI-Leptospira spp. ANTIBODIES IN SWINE IN EASTERN AMAZONIA, BRAZIL

Abstract

Swine farming in the state of Pará is underdeveloped and technologically advanced, which favors the establishment and spread of diseases in animals and humans involved in production. Considering these factors and the importance of swine as a source of subsistence and income for Amazonian populations, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in swine farms in the state of Pará and to identify the main serovars involved. Three hundred and five serum samples from swine in the following mesoregions were evaluated: Metropolitan Belém, Northeast Pará, and Marajó. Samples were collected directly from farms or at slaughter using microscopic agglutination testing (MAT) to detect antibodies against Leptospira spp. All animals with titers equal to or greater than 1:100 were considered positive. The frequency of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in the studied population was 4.84% (15/305). No statistically significant difference was observed between the mesoregions (p>0.05). The Metropolitan Belém mesoregion presented 1.79% (1/56), while 6.11% (14/229) were found in the Northeast Pará mesoregion. No seropositive animals were found in the Marajó mesoregion. In pig farms, the distribution of seropositive animals was 5.84% (9/154), and for slaughter animals, 3.97% (6/151). Six serovars were identified in this study: Castellonis, Copenhageni, Pomona, Australis, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Pyrogenes, with Icterohaemorrhagiae being predominant.