Environmental and Farm Management Determinants of Leptospira Se ropositivity in Domestic Pigs: A Systematic Review Within a One Health Framework
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijapm.2026.42.SI.5Keywords:
Leptospira; Domestic pigs; Seroprevalence; Environmental factors; Biosecurity; One HealthAbstract
Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira species and represents a significant threat to both public health and livestock production systems. Domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) act as important maintenance hosts capable of harboring and shedding leptospires without obvious clinical symptoms, thereby contributing to environmental contamination and zoonotic transmission. Despite numerous epidemiological investigations, evidence regarding environmental and farm management determinants of leptospiral infection in swine populations remains fragmented across regions and production systems. This study systematically reviewed and synthesized the available evidence on environmental and management factors associated with Leptospira seropositivity in domestic pigs worldwide. The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Literature searches were conducted in four major databases Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect using keywords related to leptospirosis, domestic pigs, seroprevalence, environmental determinants, and farm management practices. After screening and applying predefined eligibility criteria, fifteen studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The findings demonstrate that leptospiral exposure in pigs is shaped by complex eco-epidemiological interactions. Environmental conditions such as high rainfall, flooding, humid climates, and contaminated water sources were consistently associated with increased infection risk. Wildlife reservoirs, particularly rodents and feral pigs, were frequently identified as important sources of environmental contamination. Farm management practices also played a crucial role; poor sanitation, inadequate rodent control, and weak biosecurity measures increased infection risk, whereas intensive systems with strict biosecurity were associated with reduced seropositivity. These findings highlight the importance of integrated prevention strategies combining improved farm biosecurity, sanitation, and pest control with environmental management approaches. Such strategies align with the One Health framework, emphasizing the interconnected roles of environmental, animal, and human health in controlling leptospirosis.
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