Bovine leptospirosis: sanitary measures in dairy herds in São Sebastião settlement in Andradina (SP)

• Grant number: 09/15911-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2010
• End date: January 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Raul José Silva Girio
• Grantee: Raul José Silva Girio
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Owning land and having access to resources to start productive activities are not enough to ensure the sustainability of families in rural settlements. Animal health is one of the most important factors in any kind of production, considering animal health and welfare, human health, food quality and safety, and environmental protection. In the Northeast region of the state of São Paulo, family agriculture is based on dairy herds kept in small lots. This small scale production is not only the source of food for the families, but also ensures the economic sustainability of these farms. Breeding techinques used in this system promote greater contact between men and animals and underscore the importance of controlling diseases that are responsible for economic losses and may put human health at risk. Leptospirosis is one of the most important reproductive diseases of cattle, causing abortion, infertility, stillbirths and retained placenta; it counts among the diseases responsible for the low productivity of Brazilian cattle breeding. Besides, its Public Health importance is undeniable, once the contact with infected animals is one important route of leptospirosis transmission to humans. In order to improve health and productivity of the herds and the quality of milk produced in São Sebastião settlement, located in the city of Andradina - SP, the main objective of the present study is to carry out a seroepidemiological survey of bovine leptospirosis using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) in order to determine the most prevalent serovar(s) in the settlement; besides, an etiological survey will also be performed using PCR in milk and urine samples of animals that may be infected. Based on the data collected during the study, sanitary and hygienic measures will be established by means of an awareness program for the target population, and problem animals and herds will be treated and vaccinated. (AU)