Bovine Leptospirosis: A One Health Challenge at the Interface of Livestock Production and Public Health

Leptospirosis is a globally important zoonotic disease with significant economic and public health consequences, where cattle serve as a major reservoir. This infection, caused by pathogenic species of Leptospira, frequently results in chronic colonization of the renal and reproductive tracts, leading to asymptomatic shedding and ongoing environmental contamination that facilitates transmission within herds. Transmission primarily occurs through contact with contaminated urine, water, or soil, with sexual transmission also documented. The epidemiology of leptospirosis is complex and influenced by climatic factors such as temperature and rainfall, as well as farming practices including herd density and biosecurity levels. The disease demonstrates clear seasonal patterns, peaking in warmer months in temperate regions and during the rainy season in tropical areas. Aside from cattle, primary reservoirs include rodents, dogs, and other domestic animals that persistently shed the bacterium into the environment. Clinically, bovine leptospirosis may present as an acute, sometimes fatal illness marked by jaundice and hemoglobinuria; however, its most profound impact is on reproduction, causing abortion, infertility, and decreased milk production. Diagnosis is typically achieved through serological tests such as the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and ELISA, alongside molecular techniques like PCR. Effective control of leptospirosis demands a One Health approach that integrates veterinary diagnostics, vaccination, stringent biosecurity to minimize environmental exposure, and public health strategies to reduce human risk—especially in light of climate change and shifting ecological conditions.

Keywords:

Leptospirosis , Zoonotic Disease , Epidemiology