Zoonotic bacteria associated with reproductive disorders in cattle and buffaloes: One Health implications

TEJASWI ABHIGNA  GOGIKAR; LAXMI NARAYAN  SARANGI; VIJAY SHRIRAM  BAHEKAR; RACHAMREDDY VENKATA CHANDRASEKHAR  REDDY; AMITESH  PRASAD; PONNANNA NADIKERIANDA  MUTHAPPA

doi:10.56093/ijans.v96i6.172833

Authors

TEJASWI ABHIGNA GOGIKAR National Dairy Development Board Research and Development Laboratory, IIL Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500 032, Telangana, India
LAXMI NARAYAN SARANGI ICAR-National Institute on Foot and Mouth Disease, Bhubaneswar 752 050, Odisha, India
VIJAY SHRIRAM BAHEKAR National Dairy Development Board Research and Development Laboratory, IIL Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500 032, Telangana, India
RACHAMREDDY VENKATA CHANDRASEKHAR REDDY National Dairy Development Board Research and Development Laboratory, IIL Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500 032, Telangana, India
AMITESH PRASAD National Dairy Development Board Research and Development Laboratory, IIL Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500 032, Telangana, India
PONNANNA NADIKERIANDA MUTHAPPA National Dairy Development Board Research and Development Laboratory, IIL Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500 032, Telangana, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v96i6.172833

Keywords:

Bovine abortion, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Q fever, Retention of foetal membrane, Zoonotic diseases

Abstract

Bovine reproductive disorders caused by infectious agents not only result in significant economic losses but also pose potential zoonotic risks, emphasizing the relevance of a One Health perspective. This study investigated the occurrence of four major zoonotic bacteria-Brucella spp., Leptospira spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Coxiella burnetii in cattle and buffaloes affected by reproductive disorders such as abortion, retention of foetal membranes (RFM), and metritis in Gujarat, India. Clinical specimens collected from affected animals were analysed using PCR- based assays to determine pathogen involvement and identify species-specific patterns. Brucella, Leptospira, and Coxiella were frequently detected across reproductive disorder cases, whereas Listeria was not detected in any of the cases. Aborted animals showed a higher tendency for Brucella and Coxiella positivity, while RFM cases were more often associated with Coxiella and Leptospira. Evidence of mixed infections was also noted, with Brucella–Coxiella co-infections more common in cattle. Buffaloes exhibited a greater predisposition to Leptospira, whereas cattle were more frequently affected by Coxiella, indicating distinct host–pathogen relationships. Overall, the findings highlighted the widespread involvement of multiple zoonotic pathogens in bovine reproductive disorders and reinforced the need for integrated surveillance, targeted control measures, and strengthened veterinary–public health collaboration. The study provided valuable insights to support One Health-based strategies for managing zoonotic bacterial infections in livestock populations.

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