Immunoperoxidase and Histopathological Examinations of Leptospiral Nephritis in Cattle

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the role of leptospirae in interstitial nephritis. Sixty-eight white-spotted kidneys and 30 grossly normal kidneys from slaughtered cattle were examined histologically and immunohistochemically for the presence of Leptospira interrogans antigens. The presence of L interrogans antigens was found in 21 of 68 white-spotted kidneys and in four of 30 normal kidneys. In conclusion, the detected incidence of infection with L interrogans was not high, but there was a relationship between the presence of interstitial nephritis and leptospiral antigens.