Epidemiological Investigation of the Prevalence of Leptospira Spp. In Pigs in Israel

Twenty one pig farms, comprising about 14,400 sows and 90,000 fattening pigs, were examined relative to Leptospira serological positivity in fattening pigs. Twelve farms (57.14%) were positive with average of 41.67% positive samples. L. canicola was the predominant serovar (100%), with a few cross-reactions for other serovars. There was as strong correlation between average number of positive samples and number of sows in farm (R-2 = 0.9615). Number of positive samples was significantly higher in farms not vaccinating sows (P=0.0059); practicing natural insemination (P = 0.0280); keeping fattening pigs on a full floor (P=0.0019); presence of dogs (P=0.0002); farms with high proximity to each other and shared infrastructures like perimetral walls, sewage, roads, workers (P=.0.0005). In such a situation, swine breeders should vaccinate their breeders population, their dogs and implement management measures. Leptospirosis is a notifiable disease in Israel.