Research Article | 11 Sep 2025

Geospatial mapping and risk factor analysis of Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola Portland Vere in backyard cattle in Chiapas, Mexico

Liliana del Rosario Velázquez Noriega1 , José Del Carmen Rejón-Orantes2 , Enrique Herrera López3 , José Luis Gutiérrez Hernández3 , Francisco Antonio Cigarroa Vázquez4 , Leopoldo Medina Sansón2 , Carlos Alfredo Carmona Gasca5 , José Ángel Gutiérrez Martínez6 , Rafael Enrique Ruiz Echeverría1 , and Gerardo Uriel Bautista Trujillo2 Show more
VETERINARY WORLD | pg no. 2636-2649 | Vol. 18, Issue 9 | DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.2636-2649
Citations: —
View PDF

Cite this Article

  • APA
  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • Vancouver
  • Harvard

              
            

          

        

      


      


      

      

        

          
Abstract

          
Background and Aim: Leptospirosis is a globally neglected zoonosis caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. It affects a wide range of animals and poses serious public and veterinary health risks. Backyard cattle systems, common across Latin America, are particularly vulnerable due to poor biosecurity and close animal–human–wildlife inter­faces. This study assessed the seroprevalence, spatial distribution, and risk factors associated with Leptospira infection in backyard cattle herds of central Chiapas, Mexico.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to September 2022 across five municipali­ties. A total of 590 serum samples were collected and analyzed using the microscopic agglutination test with six serovars. The geographical coordinates of production units (PUs) were recorded using a Global Positioning System (GPS), and spatial analysis was conducted with ArcGIS 10.5. Risk factor associations were evaluated through Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression using RStudio and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.
Results: The overall seroprevalence of Leptospira was 27.72% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.97%–31.75%), with the Portland Vere serovar being predominant (22.89%). Cintalapa exhibited the highest municipal seroprevalence (61.75%; odds ratio [OR] = 6.2). Logistic regression identified significant risk factors for seropositivity, including artificial insemination (OR = 2.43), use of Jagüey reservoirs (OR = 0.47), and cattle aged 3 years (OR = 0.54) or 8 years (OR = 1.98). The American Swiss × Holstein crossbreed was significantly associated with increased seroprevalence (OR = 3.15). The presence of dogs within PUs was significantly associated with Portland Vere seropositivity (OR = 3.82), highlighting a possible role in disease transmission.
Conclusion: This study highlights a high burden of Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola Portland Vere in backyard cattle of central Chiapas. Key risk factors include specific breeding methods, water sources, age, and breed. The integra­tion of serological surveillance, spatial mapping, and statistical modeling proved effective in identifying epidemiological hotspots and informing future One Health-based prevention strategies. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced disease surveillance, targeted control programs, and public health interventions tailored to small-scale cattle systems in tropical regions.
          
Keywords: backyard cattle, GIS mapping, Leptospira, Portland Vere, risk factors, seroprevalence, zoonosis, Chiapas, Mexico.