A leptospirose ovina e sua importância no contexto da saúde única

Abstract

Ovine leptospirosis is a neglected disease, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where environmental conditions favor the persistence of the pathogen. Although sheep often present asymptomatic infections, the disease can cause significant reproductive losses, including abortions, and act as maintenance hosts, particularly for the Hardjo serovar. In Rio Grande do Sul (RS), the sheep population is substantial, with approximately 3,030,419 animals, one of the largest concentrations in Brazil. Given this scenario, this review addresses the importance of ovine leptospirosis within the framework of One Health, analyzing publications from the PubMed and SciELO databases over the last 25 years, along with a report on an epidemiological investigation and laboratory diagnosis in sheep with reproductive issues on a rural property in Rio Grande/RS. Between 2000 and 2024, 64 articles were selected, with a major focus on diagnosis (31.25%), seroprevalence (23.44%), and epidemiology (23.44%), followed by interspecies transmission (15.63%), occupational impact (1.56%), and slaughterhouse studies (4.69%). The results highlight the need for further research on the role of sheep in the epidemiology of leptospirosis and its connection to One Health, particularly in livestock production. In the epidemiological investigation, blood samples were collected and analyzed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) to detect anti-Leptospira antibodies in both aborted and asymptomatic sheep. The samples were tested against 12 live antigens, revealing significant seroprevalence but no consistent relationship between the antigens in the two sample collections. The property had flooded areas and housed not only sheep but also dogs, cats, and chickens, all unvaccinated. Although the investigation did not confirm leptospirosis as the cause of abortions, the presence of risk factors underscores the need to expand sample collection across all animals on the property. The findings of the literature review also indicate the importance of expanding studies on control and prevention strategies, which are essential to mitigating the impact of leptospirosis on both animal and human health.