Isolations of Leptospira interrogans serovars hardjo, balcanica, and pomona from cattle at slaughter

Kidneys were cultured for leptospires and blood was collected for leptospiral serologic examination from 306 cattle slaughtered in Florida during June, July, and August 1980. Leptospires were found in 82(36%) of 226 otherwise bacterial-free cultures. Forty-five isolates were identified as Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo, 3 as serovar balcanica, and 3 as serovar pomona. Leptospiral antibodies were found in 218 (71%) of the cattle. Serum titers to hardjo were found in 162 cattle (53%) and to pomona in 28 (9%). Low titers to tarassovi were found in 14 cattle (4.5%).