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Feeds often contain molybdenum (Mo) and sulfur (S) in excess of recommended allowances for adequate copper (Cu) absorption by ruminant livestock. Two randomized-block experiments were conducted using lambs given a cereal-based diet (90% of dry matter (DM) intake), containing 8 mg Cu, 0.7 mg Mo and 2.1g S per kg DM, that was either unsupplemented or supplemented with ammonium molybdate or sodium sulfate alone or in combination, to determine the effects of Mo, S and Mo+S on growth, hematology, serum Cu and Mo concentrations and reproductive function. Short term intake (4 weeks) by rams, aged 18 and 20 weeks, of 26 mg Mo alone or in combination with 2g S per kg DM, had no effect on growth, hematology or the concentration of total Cu in serum (TCu). However, supplemented groups had lower (P<0.05) concentrations of serum Cu soluble in trichloroacetic acid (TCA-Cu), but the group given Mo+S had the highest (P<0.05) concentration of serum residual Cu (RCu). Luteinizing hormone (LH) peak amplitude was affected by age*diet interaction (P<0.05), because of high amplitude LH peaks in the serum of lambs, aged 24 wks, given Mo alone. Testosterone serum secretory profiles did not differ among diet groups, but testosterone peak frequency was higher (P<0.05) for older ram lambs. Long term intake (32-39 wks) by ewe, ram and wether lambs (gonadal influence) of 12 mg Mo, or 2g S alone or combined per kg DM also had no effect on hematology or TCu. Food intake and liver weights were higher (P<0.05), but TCA-Cu was lower (P<0.05) for groups given S. Serum concentrations of total Mo (TMo) were higher (P<0.05) for Mo-supplemented groups, but RCu was highest only for the Mo+S group. Growth was affected by Mo*S*gonadal influence*time interaction (P<0.05); until autumn, the body weight of Mo-supplemented groups were higher than those of ram and wether lambs given Mo+S. Ovarian or testicular functions were delayed more severely for Mo- than Mo+S-supplemented groups. Mean concentrations of LH were affected by Mo*S*gonadal influence*time interaction (P<0.05); the mean LH values of Mo-supplemented ram and ewe lambs were higher than the Mo+S-supplemented group, whereas a reverse trend was observed for wether lambs. The amplitude of LH peaks was affected by Mo*S*gonadal influence*time interaction (P<0.05); for ram lambs, LH peak amplitude was higher for Mo than Mo+S-supplemented groups, whereas for wether and ewe lambs the reverse trend was noted. Mean concentrations of serum Cortisol and Cortisol peak amplitude were affected by Mo*S interaction (P<0.05); the mean Cortisol concentration and peak amplitude for the Mo-supplemented group were higher than those for the Mo+S-supplemented group. The frequency of LH and Cortisol peaks did not differ (P>0.10) among diet groups. In conclusion, Mo supplementation of cereal-based diets containing a high concentration of Cu did not adversely affect lamb growth. However, the effect of high dietary Mo on reproductive function appears to depend on the dietary level of S and the induction of high serum RCu (thiomolybdate). Further investigations on the effects of Mo and thiomolybdate on endocrine function may provide a nutritional basis for improving reproductive efficiency in ruminants. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (Biochemistry))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Biochemistry / unrestricted

The most important tick-borne diseases (TBDs) occurring in Zambia that affect domestic animals, particularly cattle and small ruminants, are theileriosis (East Coast fever and Corridor disease), anaplasmosis (gall sickness), babesiosis (red water), and heartwater (cowdriosis). Of these, theileriosis is the most important, causing significantly more deaths than the other tick-borne diseases combined. Despite their importance, little is known about the occurrence and prevalence of haemoparasites in cattle in the communal areas of Zambia. Clinical signs and post mortem lesions are pathognomonic of mixed tick-borne infections especially babesiosis, anaplasmosis and East Coast fever (ECF). The main objective of this study was, therefore, to screen selected communal herds of cattle for tick-borne haemoparasites and identify the tick vectors associated with the high cattle mortalities due to suspected TBDs in the local breeds of cattle grazing along the banks of the Chambeshi River in Mungwi, Zambia. East Coast fever is endemic to the district of Mungwi, Northern Province, Zambia and vector control using acaricides has proved to be very costly for the small scale farmers. Also, Mungwi experiences increased cattle mortalities between December to March and May to July. All age groups of cattle are affected. A total of 299 cattle blood samples were collected from July to September 2010 from Kapamba (n=50), Chifulo (n=102), Chisanga (n=38), Kowa (n=95) and Mungwi central (n=14) in the Mungwi District, Northern Province, Zambia. Ticks were also collected from the sampled cattle from April to July 2011. DNA was extracted and the parasite hypervariable region of the small subunit rRNA gene was amplified and subjected to the reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization assay. The results of the RLB assay revealed the presence of tick-borne haemoparasites in 259 samples occurring either as single or mixed infections. The most prevalent species present were the benign Theileria mutans (54.5%) and T. velifera (51.5%). Anaplasma marginale (25.7%), Babesia bovis (7.7%) and B. bigemina (3.3%) were also detected in the samples. Nine percent of the samples tested negative for the presence of haemoparasites. In a number of samples (4%) the PCR products failed to hybridize with any species-specific probes but hybridized only with the genus-specific probes which could suggest the presence of a novel species or variant of a species. Of the four Theileria species known to occur in Zambia (T. parva, T. mutans, T. velifera and T. taurotragi), T. parva is the most economically important, causing Corridor disease in the Southern, Central, Lusaka and the Copper-belt provinces, while causing ECF in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Zambia. In our study, only one sample (from Kapamba) tested positive for the presence of T. parva. This was an unexpected finding; also because the tick vector, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, was identified on animals from Kowa (14%), Chisanga (8.5%), Chifulo (6%) and Kapamba (1.4%). We can only speculate that the RLB hybridization assay may not have been able to detect the parasite in the animals sampled due to a too low parasitaemia. The samples should also be subjected to the T. parva specific real-time PCR assay to determine a more accurate T. parva prevalence in cattle in the Mungwi district, Northern Province. In Zambia, Babesia bovis and B. bigemina are recognized as being of economic importance in cattle. In our study, B. bovis was present in 7.7% of the sampled animals and B. bigemina in 3.3% of the animals. We detected B. bovis in all of the five sampled areas with the highest detection in Mungwi central (14.3%) and Kowa (10.5%). As expected, the tick vector Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was identified from animals from all of these areas. Babesia bigemina was only reported from Kowa (10.5%). The most abundant ticks identified from the sampled animals from Kowa were Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (36.3%) and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (8.8%). These tick vectors have been implicated in the transmission of B. bigemina. Our findings are in concordance with results obtained by other authors who have speculated that an increase in the detection of B. bovis may indicate that B. bovis is becoming endemic in this part of the country. This could be due to uncontrolled movement of cattle that frequently occurs within Zambia. Heartwater (cowdriosis) is caused by Ehrlichia ruminantium, a rickettsial disease that affects domestic and wild ruminants. In Zambia, heartwater is mainly a disease of cattle, although outbreaks in sheep and goats have been reported and recorded. In our study, only one sample (from Kapamba) tested positive for the presence of E. ruminantium even though Amblyomma variegatum ticks were identified from 52.9% of the sampled animals from all study areas. The cattle sampled in our study are not regularly dipped and no game has been spotted in cattle grazing areas. It is possible that these cattle may have attained a state of endemic stability to heartwater. It is also possible that the RLB hybridization assay may not have been sensitive enough to detect E. ruminantium infections if the parasitaemia was very low. Samples should also be subjected to the E. ruminantium-specific pCS20 real-time PCR assay to determine more accurately the E. ruminantium prevalence in cattle in the Mungwi district, Northern Province. Anaplasma marginale (the causative agent of bovine anaplasmosis) has previously been shown to be present in all the provinces of Zambia and is the only Anaplasma species of importance to cattle in Zambia. In our study, 25.7% of the sampled cattle tested positive for A. marginale; it was detected in all areas except Chisanga. Amblyomma variegatum was identified from 52.9% of the sampled cattle, and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus from 12.1% of the cattle. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus has been incriminated as being a vector of A. marginale. Furthermore, three samples (from Kowa) tested positive for the presence of Anaplasma centrale. To our knowledge, no vaccination regime using A. centrale is being conducted in the Mungwi district of Zambia. The presence of A. centrale is, therefore, an interesting finding. The results of our study suggest that the cause of cattle mortalities in Mungwi during the winter outbreaks is mainly due to A. marginale, B. bovis and B. bigemina infections. This was confirmed by the results of the RLB hybridization assay, clinical manifestation of the disease in the affected cattle (own observation) and the tick species identified on the animals. It appears that in Mungwi, babesiosis due to B. bovis mostly infects cattle above one year of age. Calves appear to be less affected by B. bovis infection. There is need for further epidemiological surveys in Mungwi district, Northern Province, Zambia to get a better understanding of the epidemiology of these tick-borne haemoparasites affecting cattle. We conclude that integrated control policies should be developed to take account of multi-species pathogen communities that are commonly associated with clinical and sub-clinical TBD infections in Zambia. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

The primary objective of this study was to determine the species composition of ticks that infest domestic animals in Maputo Province and their geographic distributions. To this end a total of 145 cattle, 129 goats, 132 dogs and 63 drag­samples of the vegetation were examined at 30 localities distributed throughout the province, at each of which the geographic coordinates were recorded and later plotted. A total of 15187 ixodid ticks belonging to 15 species were recovered. These were Amblyomma hebraeum, Haemaphysalis elliptica, Haemaphysalis sp., Hyalomma rufipes, Ixodes cavipalpus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus kochi, Rhipicephalus longus, Rhipicephalus pravus group, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus simus, Rhipicephalus tricuspis and Rhipicephalus turanicus. R. (B.) microplus and A. hebraeum were most abundant on cattle, while H. elliptica was most abundant on dogs. H. elliptica, I. cavipalpus, R. longus and R. turanicus can now be added to the lists of ixodid tick species previously published for Mozambique. The geographic distributions of nine of the 15 tick species were mapped, and A. hebraeum, H. elliptica and R. evertsi evertsi were present throughout the province. No indigenous Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus were recovered, whereas the introduced Asian tick, R. (B.) microplus was present in all districts. It would seem that R. (B.) decoloratus has been completely displaced by R. (B.) microplus in Maputo Province. Although R. appendiculatus was recovered at 24 of the 30 localities, it was present at only two of the seven localities in the south of the province. R. sanguineus was present on dogs in the districts of Boane, Naamacha and Manhiça, where the collections were made at the dog owners’ homes. R. simus was present at 27 localities and R. turanicus was collected in the districts of Magude, Boane, Namaacha and Matutuine, in the north, centre and south of the province. Future surveys in Mozambique should focus on determining the extent to which R. (B.) microplus has displaced R. (B.) decoloratus. A further objective of the study was to compare the prevalence of the five major tick species, namely A. hebraeum, R. (B.) microplus, R. appendiculatus, R. evertsi evertsi and R. simus on cattle and goats. It was possible to do this at 21 of the sampling sites, at each of which five cattle and five goats had been examined. These five ticks infested both cattle and goats, but the goats harboured larger numbers of immature ticks and fewer adults of some species, while large numbers of both adult and immature ticks were recovered from cattle. Furthermore, more cattle than goats at more localities were infested with adult ticks of each of the five species. Consideration should be given to including goats in future tick control programmes applied to cattle on the same properties. A total of ten ixodid tick species were recovered from dogs in Maputo Province. Of these H. elliptica, R. sanguineus, R. simus and R. turanicus can be considered major parasites of dogs, while large numbers of immature A. hebraeum and smaller numbers of immature R. appendiculatus infested these animals opportunistically. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

Dystonia is defined as a neurological syndrome characterized by involuntary sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing twisting, often repetitive movements, and postures. Paroxysmal dyskinesias are episodic movement disorders encompassing dystonia, chorea, athetosis, and ballism in conscious individuals. Several decades of research have enhanced the understanding of the etiology of human dystonia and dyskinesias that are associated with dystonia, but the pathophysiology remains largely unknown. The spontaneous occurrence of hereditary dystonia and paroxysmal dyskinesia is well documented in rodents used as animal models in basic dystonia research. Several hyperkinetic movement disorders, described in dogs, horses and cattle, show similarities to these human movement disorders. Although dystonia is regarded as the third most common movement disorder in humans, it is often misdiagnosed because of the heterogeneity of etiology and clinical presentation. Since these conditions are poorly known in veterinary practice, their prevalence may be underestimated in veterinary medicine. In order to attract attention to these movement disorders, i.e., dystonia and paroxysmal dyskinesias associated with dystonia, and to enhance interest in translational research, this review gives a brief overview of the current literature regarding dystonia/paroxysmal dyskinesia in humans and summarizes similar hereditary movement disorders reported in domestic animals.

No description available.

Com o objetivo de estudar a situação epidemiológica da leptospirose bovina, canina e humana nas propriedades rurais do município de Pirassununga, SP, partiu-se de um banco de soros e um banco de dados já estruturados de 86 propriedades amostradas. Através da técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica, 2259 soros de bovinos, 273 de cães e 445 de humanos foram examinados, empregando-se uma coleção de antígenos vivos de 24 sorovares de leptospiras. As prevalências aparentes de focos de leptospirose nas propriedades rurais de Pirassununga, segundo as espécies examinadas foram: 88,4% [79,7-94,3] para os bovinos, sendo Hardjo o sorovar mais provável, com 43,4% [32,1-55,3], seguido do Wolffi com 11,8% [5,6-21,3], Autumnalis e Patoc empatados em 5,3% [1,5-12,9], Australis com 3,9% [0,8-11,1], Hebdomadis com 2,6% [0,3-9,2] e Shermani com 1,3% [0-7,1]; 14,3% [7,4-24,1] para os cães, sendo Bratislava o sorovar mais provável, com 54,5% [23,4-83,3], seguido do Australis,Autumnalis e Pyrogenes empatados com 9,1% [0,2-41,3]; 14,1% [7,5-23,4] para os humanos, sendo Patoc o sorovar mais provável, com 58,3% [27,7-84,8], seguido pelo Pyrogenes com 16,7% [2,1-48,4] e empate entre os sorovares Bratislava, Autumnalis e Icterohaemorragiae com 8,3% [0,2-38,5] cada. A prevalência aparente da leptospirose nos bovinos da área rural do município de Pirassununga foi de 30,3% [28,4-32,2], nos cães de 5,1% [2,8-8,5] e nos humanos de 2,9% [1,6-4,9]. Os fatores de risco associados à condição de foco de leptospirose bovina para qualquer sorovar foram ter mais de 21 cabeças no rebanho, OR =14,354 [1,535-134,215] e presença de cocho para sal mineral, OR = 6,995 [1,180-41,470]. Os fatores de risco associados à condição de foco para os sorovares Hardjo e/ou Wolffi foram ter mais de 21 cabeças no rebanho, OR =15,750 [1,264- 196,269] e presença de cocho para sal mineral, OR = 6,537 [1,008-42,397]. Foram discutidas as implicações destes resultados para o entendimento da epidemiologia da leptospirose na área rural de Pirassununga e também foram feitas recomendações para o controle da doença no rebanho bovino. / With the aim of studying the epidemiologic situation of bovine, canine and human leptospirosis in rural area of Pirassununga, SP, it was used a serologic and data bank already structured of 86 sampled farms. Through the microscopic agglutination test, serum of 2259 bovines, 273 dogs e 445 humans were analyzed for the microscopic agglutination test, using a collection of 24 serovars of Leptospira. The prevalence of infected farms for leptospirosis, according to examined species, were: 88,4% [79,7-94,3] for cattle, where serotype Hardjo was the most often observed - 43,4% [32,1-55,3], followed by Wolffi with 11,8% [5,6-21,3], Autumnalis and Patoc with 5,3% [1,5-12,9] each, Australis with 3,9% [0,8-11,1],Hebdomadis with 2,6% [0,3-9,2] and Shermani with 1,3% [0-7,1].; 14,3% [7,4-24,1] for dogs, where serovar Bratislava was the most often observed with 54,5% [23,4-83,3], followed by Australis, Autumnalis and Pyrogenes with 9,1% [0,2-41,3] each and 14,1% [7,5-23,4] for humans, where serotype Patoc was the most often observed with 58,3% [27,7-84,8], followed by Pyrogenes with 16,7% [2,1-48,4] and Bratislava, Autumnalis and Icterohaemorragiae with 8,3% [0,2-38,5] each. The serologic prevalence of bovine leptospirosis in rural area of Pirassununga, SP, was 30,3% [28,4-32,2], canine leptospirosis was 5,1% [2,8-8,5] and human leptospirosis was 2,9% [1,6-4,9]. The study of risk factors showed that bovine leptospirosis caused by any serovar was associated with herds with more than 21 animals - OR =14,354 [1,535-134,215] ? and presence of mineralized salt feeder - OR = 6,995 [1,180-41,470]. The final model of logistic regression pointed as risk factors of bovine leptospirosis caused by serovars Hardjo and/or Wolffi herds with more than 21 animals - OR =15,750 [1,264-196,269] - and presence of mineralized salt feeder - OR = 6,537 [1,008-42,397]. The impact of these results was discussed in relation to the epidemiology of leptospirosis in rural area of Pirassununga and suggestions were also made in order to control this disease in cattle.

Este trabalho teve como objetivos a identificação de sequências 18S rDNA amplificadas de Cryptosporidium spp. de diversas espécies de hospedeiros e avaliar variabilidade em sequências gênicas deste lócus, com vistas ao desenho de sondas moleculares com melhor eficiência diagnóstica para detecção e identificação deste parasito. Foram coletadas 392 amostras de animais domésticos (bovinos, eqüinos, suínos, ovinos, cães e felinos) de 98 propriedades rurais do município de Teodoro Sampaio, Estado de São Paulo, 474 de aves silvestres de cativeiro de diversas famílias, provenientes de criadouros comerciais do Estado de São Paulo e criadas como estimação, 141 de sagüis de cativeiro do Estado de São Paulo, e 24 de humanos imunodeprimidos provenientes de hospital do município de São Paulo. As amostras foram submetidas a prova coproparasitológica e molecular para detecção e identificação de Cryptosporidium. Alinhamentos múltiplos obtidos de seqüências 18S rDNA de Cryptosporidium spp. determinadas neste estudo e de sequências recuperadas do Genbank foram analisados visualmente para a definição das regiões polimórficas. Após a definição das regiões polimórficas, foram realizadas análises filogenéticas empregando-se separadamente cada uma delas. Pelo exame coproparasitológico foi encontrado positividade em amostras de nove (4,57%) bovinos, três (11,11%) cães, 41 (8,64%) aves silvestres, 13 (9,20%) sagüis e todas as de humanos. As outras espécies de animais domésticos não apresentaram positividade para o parasita no exame coproparasitológico. Nos bovinos foi encontrado o Cryptosporidium Andersoni, em cães o Cryptosporidium canis, em sagüis o Cryptosporidium parvum e em humanos, C. parvum, Cryptosporidium hominis, Cryptosporidium felis e C. canis. Dentre as amostras de aves nenhuma foi identificada como Cryptosporidium meleagridis. As amostras de curiós (Oryzoborus angolensis) foram classificadas como Cryptosporidium galli, com exceção de uma, identificada como Cryptosporidium baileyi. C. galli foi encontrado também em um Sabiá Laranjeira (Turdus rufiventris), um Picharro (Saltator similis), dois canários e um Pintassilgo (C. carduelis). C. baileyi foi encontrado em um pintassilgo (Carduelis carduelis) um Pichochó (Sporophila frontalis), um Galo da Campina (Paroaria dominicana) e dois Canários (Sicalis flaveola). Pelos resultados, duas regiões polimórficas em sequência 18S rDNA de Cryptosporidium spp. (denominadas regiões 1 e 3) permitiram discriminar as diferentes espécies neste gênero de parasita, podendo ser utilizadas isoladamente como marcadores moleculares para identificação molecular dentro deste gênero. Saguis (Chalitrix spp.) de cativeiro são espécies susceptíveis a infecção por Cryptosporidium parvum apresentando-se como um hospedeiro de importância epidemiológica para esta zoonose. Curiós (O. angolensis) de cativeiro são espécies susceptíveis a infecção por Cryptosporidium galli apresentando-se como hospedeiro de importância epidemiológica para esta espécie de parasito. A não detecção de Cryptosporidium parvum em animais domésticos na região de Teodoro Sampaio, Estado de São Paulo, mostra uma condição sanitária favorável, já que este agente é causador de importante zoonose. A presença de espécies de Cryptosporidium spp. adaptadas a animais domésticos (como o C. felis e o C. canis) em humanos na cidade de São Paulo mostra que estes animais podem desempenhar importante papel na cadeia epidemiológica da criptosporidiose humana. / The objectives of this study were to identify 18S rDNA sequences of Cryptosporidium spp. From various species of hosts and to avaluate the variability in gene sequences of this locus, aiming the design of molecular probes with better diagnostic efficiency for the detection and identification of this parasite. It was collected 392 samples of domestic animals (cattle, horses, pigs, sheeps, dogs and cats) of 98 rural properties of Teodoro Sampaio city, São Paulo State, 474 captive wild birds of various families, from pet and comercial breeding in São Paulo State, 141 captive marmosets, of São Paulo State, and 24 immunossupressed humans from a São Paulo city hospital. The samples were submitted to coproparasitological and molecular tests for the detection and identification of Cryptosporidium. Multiple alignment of Cryptosporidium 18S rDNA sequences, that was determinated in this study and other download from GenBank were visually inspected in order to define polymorphic regions. After the definition of polymorphic regions, phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using each polymorphic region. Cryptosporidium spp. Were found by using coproparasitological tests in nine (4,57%) samples of cattle, tree (11,11%) dogs, 41 (8,64%) wild birds, 13 (9,20%) marmosets and all human samples. The other animal species were negative by coproparasitological tests. In cattle it was found Cryptosporidium andersoni, in dogs Cryptosporidium canis, in marmosets Cryptosporidium parvum and in humans, C. parvum, Cryptosporidium hominis, Cryptosporidium felis e C. canis. Among the samples of birds Cryptosporidium meleagridis was not found. All the samples of lesser seed-finch (Oryzoborus angolensis) were classified as Cryptosporidium galli, except for that from one individual with was identified as Cryptosporidium baileyi. Cryptosporidium galli was also found in one rufous-bellied thrush (Turdus rufiventris), one green-winged saltator (Saltator similis), two saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola) and one eurasian goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). C. baileyi was found in one eurasian goldfinch (C. carduelis), one buffy-fronted seedeater (Sporophila Frontalis), one red-cowled cardinal (Paroaria dominicana) and two saffron finch (S. flaveola). From the results two polymorphic regions within 18S rDNA sequences of Cryptosporidium spp. (named as regions 1 and 3) enabled the discrimination of the different species in this genera, and then could be used alone as molecular markers for identification within this genera. Captive marmosets (Chalitrix spp.) are susceptible species for Cryptosporidium infection, presenting itself as an important source of infection for this zoonosis. Captive lesser seed-finch (Oryzoborus angolensis) are susceptible species for Cryptosporidium galli infection presenting itself as an epidemologic important host for this parasite. The absence of Cryptosporidium parvum in domestic animals of Teodoro Sampaio, São Paulo State, is indicative of a favorable health condition, as C. parvum is an agent causative of an important zoonosis. The presence of Cryptosporidium spp. species adapted to domestic animals (as C. felis and C. canis) in humans at São Paulo State indicate that these animals could play an important role in the epidemiology of human cryptosporidiosis.

Com o objetivo de estudar a situação epidemiológica da leptospirose bovina, canina e humana nas propriedades rurais do município de Pirassununga, SP, partiu-se de um banco de soros e um banco de dados já estruturados de 86 propriedades amostradas. Através da técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica, 2259 soros de bovinos, 273 de cães e 445 de humanos foram examinados, empregando-se uma coleção de antígenos vivos de 24 sorovares de leptospiras. As prevalências aparentes de focos de leptospirose nas propriedades rurais de Pirassununga, segundo as espécies examinadas foram: 88,4% [79,7-94,3] para os bovinos, sendo Hardjo o sorovar mais provável, com 43,4% [32,1-55,3], seguido do Wolffi com 11,8% [5,6-21,3], Autumnalis e Patoc empatados em 5,3% [1,5-12,9], Australis com 3,9% [0,8-11,1], Hebdomadis com 2,6% [0,3-9,2] e Shermani com 1,3% [0-7,1]; 14,3% [7,4-24,1] para os cães, sendo Bratislava o sorovar mais provável, com 54,5% [23,4-83,3], seguido do Australis,Autumnalis e Pyrogenes empatados com 9,1% [0,2-41,3]; 14,1% [7,5-23,4] para os humanos, sendo Patoc o sorovar mais provável, com 58,3% [27,7-84,8], seguido pelo Pyrogenes com 16,7% [2,1-48,4] e empate entre os sorovares Bratislava, Autumnalis e Icterohaemorragiae com 8,3% [0,2-38,5] cada. A prevalência aparente da leptospirose nos bovinos da área rural do município de Pirassununga foi de 30,3% [28,4-32,2], nos cães de 5,1% [2,8-8,5] e nos humanos de 2,9% [1,6-4,9]. Os fatores de risco associados à condição de foco de leptospirose bovina para qualquer sorovar foram ter mais de 21 cabeças no rebanho, OR =14,354 [1,535-134,215] e presença de cocho para sal mineral, OR = 6,995 [1,180-41,470]. Os fatores de risco associados à condição de foco para os sorovares Hardjo e/ou Wolffi foram ter mais de 21 cabeças no rebanho, OR =15,750 [1,264- 196,269] e presença de cocho para sal mineral, OR = 6,537 [1,008-42,397]. Foram discutidas as implicações destes resultados para o entendimento da epidemiologia da leptospirose na área rural de Pirassununga e também foram feitas recomendações para o controle da doença no rebanho bovino. / With the aim of studying the epidemiologic situation of bovine, canine and human leptospirosis in rural area of Pirassununga, SP, it was used a serologic and data bank already structured of 86 sampled farms. Through the microscopic agglutination test, serum of 2259 bovines, 273 dogs e 445 humans were analyzed for the microscopic agglutination test, using a collection of 24 serovars of Leptospira. The prevalence of infected farms for leptospirosis, according to examined species, were: 88,4% [79,7-94,3] for cattle, where serotype Hardjo was the most often observed - 43,4% [32,1-55,3], followed by Wolffi with 11,8% [5,6-21,3], Autumnalis and Patoc with 5,3% [1,5-12,9] each, Australis with 3,9% [0,8-11,1],Hebdomadis with 2,6% [0,3-9,2] and Shermani with 1,3% [0-7,1].; 14,3% [7,4-24,1] for dogs, where serovar Bratislava was the most often observed with 54,5% [23,4-83,3], followed by Australis, Autumnalis and Pyrogenes with 9,1% [0,2-41,3] each and 14,1% [7,5-23,4] for humans, where serotype Patoc was the most often observed with 58,3% [27,7-84,8], followed by Pyrogenes with 16,7% [2,1-48,4] and Bratislava, Autumnalis and Icterohaemorragiae with 8,3% [0,2-38,5] each. The serologic prevalence of bovine leptospirosis in rural area of Pirassununga, SP, was 30,3% [28,4-32,2], canine leptospirosis was 5,1% [2,8-8,5] and human leptospirosis was 2,9% [1,6-4,9]. The study of risk factors showed that bovine leptospirosis caused by any serovar was associated with herds with more than 21 animals - OR =14,354 [1,535-134,215] ? and presence of mineralized salt feeder - OR = 6,995 [1,180-41,470]. The final model of logistic regression pointed as risk factors of bovine leptospirosis caused by serovars Hardjo and/or Wolffi herds with more than 21 animals - OR =15,750 [1,264-196,269] - and presence of mineralized salt feeder - OR = 6,537 [1,008-42,397]. The impact of these results was discussed in relation to the epidemiology of leptospirosis in rural area of Pirassununga and suggestions were also made in order to control this disease in cattle.