Over 60% of Connecticut horses exposed to Leptospira bacteria, study finds
Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira bacteria and can affect humans and animals, including horses.
A recent study has revealed that over 60% of horses in Connecticut have been exposed to Leptospira bacteria, a pathogen that can cause Leptospirosis in both animals and humans. This research, led by Dr. Camila Hamond from the University of Connecticut, analyzed 400 equine samples for 40 distinct strains of Leptospira. The most common serogroups identified were Djasiman, Grippotyphosa, Australis, Pomona, and Icterohaemorrhagiae.
While the study did not differentiate between natural infection and vaccination, the Pomona serogroup, targeted by the current equine vaccine, accounted for only 10% of the positive results. Leptospirosis can lead to severe medical conditions in horses, including abortion, stillbirth, neonatal death, placentitis, and equine recurrent uveitis (moon blindness), which can affect sports performance and economic productivity.
The bacteria can survive in moist environments, facilitating transmission to humans and other animals. The study underscores the importance of the One Health concept, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, environmental, and animal health. Hamond and her team are now expanding their research to other New England states and have developed a new qPCR test to detect all pathogenic Leptospira species.
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