Studies on the Susceptibility of Water Buffaloes to Leptospira

Eight mature farming type, Taiwan, water buffaloes were inoculate with L. australis A while six received L. canicola. Before inoculation all animals were negative to the microscopic-agglutination test (agglutinationlysis test) using the above species as antigen.

No sign of clinical leptospirosis was observed although four animals developed temperatures.

Cultures made from buffalo blood, kidneys and urine and from blood of guinea pigs inoculated with kidney emulsion and urine from the inoculated buffalo were all negative for leptospiral organisms.

Blood samples drawn from the water buffalo 2, 3 and 4 weeks post inoculation were negative to the microscopic-agglutination test except for one animal. Blood from the animal taken two weeks post-inoculation was positive at 1:100 dilution with L. australis A antigen but that taken at 3 and 4 weeks was negative.