Goat leptospirosis: the risks of a neglected disease

Abstract

Leptospirosis is presumed to be the most common bacterial zoonosis. Its perpetuation is assured by environmental conditions favorable to survival of leptospires, great variety of serovars and potential hosts. Illness onset depends on the innate or adaptive immunity and physiological status of the host, as well as causative agent and environmental conditions. In goats, the clinical presentations are either subclinical, acute or chronic depending on serovars involved and duration of disease. Each clinical presentation of goat leptospirosis involves specific clinical aspects and pathogenesis of a large portion of the clinical signs is unknown, not well elucidated or based on analogy. Reproductive dysfunctions, decreased milk production, reduced growth rate and inadequate handling act as limiting factors to production, resulting in economic losses.