Prevalence of Antibodies against Leptospira spp. in Pigs from Grenada, West Indies

Elān Armstrong; Keshaw Tiwari; Christine Barton; Benjamin Jakobek; Josephine Tang; Ravindra Sharma

Authors

Elān Armstrong Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, WEST INDIES
Keshaw Tiwari Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, WEST INDIES
Christine Barton Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, WEST INDIES
Benjamin Jakobek Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, WEST INDIES
Josephine Tang Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, WEST INDIES
Ravindra Sharma Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, WEST INDIES

Keywords:

Antibodies, Grenada, Leptospirosis, Pigs

Abstract

In this cross-sectional study, we sought to determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among pigs in Grenada. Eleven farms were randomly selected amongst Grenada’s six parishes and blood was collected through venipuncture from a total of 368 pigs. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests (ELISA) were performed on serum to screen for antibodies to Leptospira spp. Overall, seroprevalence to Leptospira spp. was 23.4% (95% CL 19.3-27.9). The percentage of positive cases based on parish is as follows: St. Mark, 21.6%; St. Andrew, 21.5%%; St. George, 25.7%; St. Patrick, 23.6%; St. David, 31.3% and St. John, 9%. There was no significant difference (p>0.05, χ2) in seroprevalence between males (18.8%) and females (25%). Regular assessment of pigs in Grenada for Leptospira spp. and their role in transmission to humans and other animals is recommended for the sake of public health.