Immunoperoxidase and histopathological examinations of leptospiral nephritis in cattle.

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.