Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis and Brucellosis in Goat Farms From Mauroa County, Falcon State, Venezuela

Brucellosis and Leptospirosis are zoonotic diseases that produce reproductive problems in goats. In order to determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis and brucellosis in four goat farms (A, B, C and D) located in Mauroa County, Falcon State, Venezuela, a sample size for each goat farm was estimated. No vaccination against brucellosis or leptospirosis was used in any of those goat farms. Sera were obtained from whole blood samples. Serum antibodies against Brucella spp. were detected through Rose Bengal Test and competitive ELISA, whereas those against Leptospira spp. were detected through Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). Mean seroprevalence of brucellosis and leptospirosis was 0.45 and 77.87%, respectively. Farm C had the highest seroprevalence both of brucellosis and of leptospirosis (1.81 and 87.27%, respectively). Most prevalent Leptospira serovars were: Leptospira hebdomadis, L. mini, L. javanica, L. wolffi and L. grippotyphosa. In the goat farms included in this study, there were reproductive problems, especially abortions. The seroprevalence of brucellosis and leptospirosis found in this research suggests that both diseases could have a role in the etiology of relems. However, a case-control study could establish more clearly a causal relationship.