ASSOCIATION OF LEPTOSPIROSIS WITH ABORTION IN RUMINANTS IN FLOODED AREAS IN NORTHWEST ALBANIA

This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of Leptosirosis in aborted ruminants in Northwest Albania. It was selected these area, because of flooded two years ago and the human cases reported recently, 2014, infected with Leptospirosis. Sera from 35 aborted cattle originated from Shkodra and Lezha between February 2014 and November of 2014 and 101 sera (4 herds) from aborted sheep originated from Shkodra between January-March 2015 were used for this investigation. The antibodies agaist Leptosira was detected using Micro Agglutination Test. It was found that L. sejroe was present in 64 small ruminants’ herds. We found also four serogrups L.gripotiphosa, L.autumanalis, L. australis, L. ballum. None of the sera originated from cattle was positive for Leptospira. With this study we aimed to provide reliable data for Leptospirosis infection in aborted in animals in Albania, as the knowledge of the presence is important to prevent animals becoming infected and reduce human health risk. Leptospirosis diagnosis should be applied. The elimination of this infection will increase the quality and the safety of the animal products for the region and reduce the spread of the disease to human.