Isolation of leptospires from the vitreous humor of aborted piglets

Authors: Stevenson BJ, Edwards JD, Ryan TJ, Marshall RB
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 25, Issue 11, pp 352, Nov 1977
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Pig, Production animal
Subject Terms: Abortion/stillbirth, Bacterial, Diagnostic procedures, Eye/opthalmology, Reproduction, Zoonosis, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Clinical examination, Reproduction - female, Public health
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: The isolation of leptospires from aborted foetuses is often difficult. When foetuses are presented for examination they are usually in a grossly contaminated condition and unless a strict aseptic procedure is observed during necropsy, cultures for leptospires are commonly overgrown by other bacteria. Furthermore bacteria appear to rapidly infiltrate visceral tissues via the umbilicus and this similarly leads to contamination of cultures. In this laboratory we have had considerable success isolating leptospira from the vitreous humor of aborted piglets…

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