Finding the hiding spots: uneven distribution of pathogenicspp. in the bovine genital tract.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bovine genital leptospirosis (BGL) is a chronic reproductive disease caused by pathogenicspp., whose uneven distribution in the genital tract may compromise diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the presence of pathogenicspp. in different regions of the bovine reproductive tract of naturally infected cows to identify the most reliable anatomical site for molecular detection. METHODS: Oviducts (OVID) and uterine fragments from the uterine body (UB), base of the uterine horn (BUH), and apex of the uterine horns (AUH) were collectedfrom 40 cows. RESULTS: Pathogenicspp. DNA was detected by lipPCR in at least one anatomical site in 55% (22/40) of animals. The highest positivity rate was observed in UB (20/40; 50%), whereas AUH (7.5%), BUH (0%), and OVID (2.5%) showed no or minimal detection. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that pathogenicspp. are unevenly distributed within the bovine reproductive tract, with a clear preference for the uterine body. This anatomical site provides the greatest diagnostic accuracy and should be prioritized for molecular testing to minimize false-negative results and improve BGL surveillance.