Kalnaus O. Epizootological monitoring and therapeutic-preventive measures for leptospirosis in horses

In the dissertation on the basis of epizootiological monitoring of leptospirosis among cattle, pigs, cattle, horses and wild pigs during the years 2013–2017 was studied the etiological structure of this zoonosis in these species of animals in the southern region of Ukraine. The analysis of serum blood of 658 seropositive horses in the PMA shows that 186 (28.2 %) heads were infected with leptospirosis. Among them, the largest number was affected by mixed groups of leptospiros (41 %). Among mono serogroups were dominant L. canicola (19 %), L. icterohemorragiae (22.1 %), L. gryppotiphosa (12.4 %), L. australis (5.4 %). It has been proved that in horses with a compatible latent course of leptospirosis and rhinopneumonia, a significant (p<0.05) increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin content, a decrease in the number of red blood cells, and an increase in the content of immunoglobulins in comparison with healthy animals was established. In a consistent course of leptospirosis and rhinopneumonia in the horses' organism, regardless of antibody titers in the PMA, there is a significant (p<0.001) decrease in fibrinogen and a significant (p<0.001) increase in the soluble fibrin, as evidenced in combination with hematological parameters of activation of the immune system. It was found that in horses for the latent course of leptospirosis and strontium gliidosis with an increase in antibody titers in the PMA 1:100 and intensity of invasion by strontials of 100 and more eggs in 1 gram of feces, a significant decrease (p<0.001) of the absolute number of lymphocytes and a significant increase (p<0.001) of the absolute number of eosinophils and neutrophils. In the course of the joint course of leptospirosis with babesiosis in the peripheral blood, there is a significant (p<0.001–0.05) decrease in the hematocrit, hemoglobin content, total protein, the number of red blood cells and a significant (p<0.01) increase in the content of immunoglobulins and the number of leukocytes. Under this condition, treatment and prophylactic treatment for horses should be performed once a day for two days in a row by the administration of trypinil, a preparation of SGEP and tetracycline-oxime-100. The use of polyvalent inactivated vaccine Bovis and Equi promotes the formation of immunity against leptospirosis in different age groups of horses for 4 months. In the fourth and sixth months after vaccination, it is advisable to monitor immunity tension in the PMA and, if necessary, to carry out additional vaccinations.