PREMIERE DESCRIPTION DE LEPTOSPIROSE CANINE INDUITE PAR L. INTERROGANS COPENHAGENI, L. INTERROGANS BRATISLAVA ET/OU L. BORGPETERSENII HARDJOBOVIS EN TUNISIE.

Canine leptospirosis disease has been suspected clinically and serologically in 50 tested dogs, living mainly in communities. The microagglutination test was performed using a battery of 21 leptospirosis antigens and has shown positive results in three dogs vaccinated against leptospirosis; the last booster being dated back to more than 6 months. Two dogs died and autopsied and one survived after treatment. Positive reactions were recorded towards the leptospirosis serovars: L. interrogans Copenhageni, L. interrogans Bratislava and L. borgpetersenii Hardjobovis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description in North Africa of canine leptospirosis associated with these serovars in dogs. The authors discussed the pathogenic role, the epidemiological-clinical data of such serovars as well as the interest that may constitute the serovar determination (to determine the cause of the emergence of a new disease, the nature of the Leptospira reservoir and choice of vaccine). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]