RESEARCH ARTICLE Microscopic Agglutination Test Analysis Identifies Prevalence of Intermediate Species Serovars in Ruminants in Endemic States of India V. Balamurugan • Sushma R. A. Thirumalesh • R. Sridevi • G. Govindaraj • M. Nagalingam • D. Hemadri • M. R. Gajendragad • H. Rahman Received: 6 September 2014 / Revised: 4 October 2014 / Accepted: 24 November 2014 Ó The National Academy of Sciences, India 2014 Abstract Serological survey was carried out in order to investigate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in ruminants in coastal regions (flood prone areas) of endemic states (Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu) of India using non-purposive samples collected dur- ing the year 2011 and 2012. A total of 553 serum samples (Cattle-332; Buffaloes-85; Goats-107 and Sheep-29) col- lected randomly from twenty one coastal districts of five states were tested at 1:100 dilution in microscopic aggluti- nation test using 14 reference leptospira serovars. The overall seroprevalence of 24.96 % (138/553) with 20.48 % in cattle, 20 % in buffaloes, 58.62 % in sheep and 38.3 % in goats was observed. The results of v 2 tests revealed that the seroprevalance in cattle across different districts (regions) in each of the surveyed states are not associated except in Kerala (v 2 = 33.98, p \ 0.05). In other species (buffalo, sheep and goat) also there is no association of seroprevalance across different districts in each of the states. Among the targeted endemic states, high prevalence was observed in Maharashtra (19/53 = 35.85 %) followed by Kerala (52/ 165 = 31.51 %), Andhra Pradesh (16/50 = 32 %), Gujarat (48/212 = 22.64 %) and Tamil Nadu (3/72 = 4.17 %). Out of 138 reacted sera, 37 samples showed multiple reactivities with 26.81 % prevalence. The predominant leptospiral antibodies were determined against frequency of distribution of the serovars Hardjo (28.99 %) followed by Kaup (18.12 %), Pomona (15.94 %), Bankinang (14.49 %). This study supports that ruminants may have a role in maintaining intermediate species serovar Kaup apart from being a well- known reservoir for Hardjo serovar in endemic states of India. Keywords Leptospirosis Á Seroprevalence Á Microscopic agglutination test Á Ruminants Á Endemic coastal district Á India Introduction Leptospirosis ranks first among the re-emerging zoonosis in tropical and subtropical regions of the world causing considerable public health problems in most of the countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America driven by climate and environment. The disease is caused by infection with different pathogenic species of Leptospira with ubiquitous distribution. Leptospira has been classi- fied into at least 20 species and serologically classified into more than 300 serovars with 30 serogroups [1]. This zoonotic disease is neglected in most endemic countries in the world because of lack of information and aware- ness about the extent of the problem [2]. Since control and eradication is difficult, early detection, prompt treat- ment and creating awareness in the public are the steps that could reduce the extent of problem and the eco- nomical loss associated with it. The disease affects a variety of domestic animals resulting in heavy economic loss to the farming community on account of reproductive problems like abortion, repeat breeder etc. [3]. In cattle, leptospirosis causes abortion, V. Balamurugan (&) Á S. R. A. Thirumalesh Á R. Sridevi Á G. Govindaraj Á M. Nagalingam Á D. Hemadri Á M. R. Gajendragad Á H. Rahman ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Formerly Project Directorate on Animal Disease Monitoring and Surveillance (PD_ADMAS), Hebbal, Bengaluru 560 024, Karnataka, India e-mail: balavirol@gmail.com 123 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. DOI 10.1007/s40011-014-0469-6