The isolation of Leptospira serotypes copenhageni and ballum from healthy calves

Authors: Holland JTS, Ris DR, Lake DE
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 21, Issue 10, pp 218-220, Oct 1973
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Diagnostic procedures, Zoonosis, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Public health
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Bovine leptosprosis was first recognized in New Zealand in 1950 (Anon., 1951). Since then the infection has become widespread, particularly during wet spring and summer months (Anon., 1973). In calves, infection with serotype pomona frequently gives rise to haemoglobinuria and general malaise, while symptoms such as loss of condition and pendulous abdomens which appear suddenly and are followed by sudden death have been associated with copenhageni infections (Dodd and Brackenridge, 1960). Asymptomatic leptospirosis of cows, but not of calves, has long been recognized, especially through the spread of infection by carrier cows (Jamieson et al 1970). The present paper records the isolation of serotypes ballum and copenhageni from apparently healthy calves and thereby establishes the existence of asymptomatic leptospirosis in calves.

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