الفهرس 
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Abstract
Leptospirosis is caused by pathogenic spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira. The organism affects many mammalian species, including humans. In the recent years, leptospirosis is identified as a global public health problem because of its increased mortality and morbidity in different countries. In the current study, a total of 353 serum samples were collected from bovine including; cattle (175) and buffaloes (178) were collected from individually owned animals. Also, 61 milk samples were collected from 2 dairy farms, 51samples were obtained from mastitic cows and 10 milk samples were obtained from apparently healthy cows. In addition a total of 92 serum samples were collected from equine (mares and foals) including; Arabic horses (34), Balady horses (25) and donkeys (32) were collected from individually owned animals. Finally, a total of 125 blood samples were collected from human beings; including 29 samples collected from apparently healthy individuals attending a private clinical laboratory, 46 patients suffered from fever of unknown origin (FUO), 21 patients with confusion, neck stiffness and rigidity suggesting meningitis and 29 aborted women. All the collected samples were subjected to serological examination by ProCHECk L. Hardjo Ab Kits for presence of L. Hardjo antibodies The obtained results in the current study revealed that: The mean PP of apparently healthy cows of cattle and buffaloes was 37.9 and 47.4 %, respectively which clarified that apparently healthy buffaloes’ cows were considered infected animals with L. Hardjo while apparently healthy cows were found to be inconclusive to L. Hardjo infection The mean PP of aborted cows of cattle and buffaloes was 39.39 and 40.9 %, respectively that means that they were found to be inconclusive to L. Hardjo infection Concerning apparently healthy bulls, the mean PP of apparently healthy bulls of cattle and buffaloes was 16.6 and 17.33 %, respectively that means that they were considered to be non-infected with L. Hardjo infection The highest rate of positivity for L. Hardjo infection was recorded in the calves of the age group > 3 years (68.1%) followed by the calves of the age group < 1 year (56.1%) and lastly, the calves of the age group 2- < 3 years (51.5%).1- < 2 years. On the other hand, the calves of the age group 1- < 2 years were considered inconclusive for L. Hardjo infection The mean PP of L. Hardjo to control positive sera of milk samples clarified that the PP to positive control of milk samples was 29.2% mastitis milk of farm (1) while it was 61% in milk collected from healthy cows followed by milk collected from mastitic cows (59.7%) at farm (2) that clarified that milk samples collected from healthy cows at farm (2) were found to be positive for L. Hardjo infection (61%) while mastitis milk of the same farm was found to be inconclusive to L. Hardjo infection (59.7%). On contrary, it was found that mastitis milk samples of the farm (1) were found to be negative for L. Hardjo infection (29.2%). The highest mean PP of mares was observed in sera of mares of donkeys (50.1%), followed by mares of Balady horses and Arabic horses (45.8 and 45.3%, respectively). In addition, the highest mean PP of foals was observed in sera of foals of Balady horses (63%) followed by foals of donkeys (51.9 %) and foals of Arabic horses (43%It was observed that mares were found to positive for L. Hardjo (>45%) as well as foals of Balady horses and donkeys. However foals of Arabic horses were found to be inconclusive (20-45%). Moreover, it was noticed that higher PP was recorded in foals of Balady horses (63%) and donkeys (51.9 %) followed by mares of donkeys (50.1%). These results may be attributed to the environmental contamination as donkeys and Balady horses usually in direct contact with cattle farms. Mean PP of L. Hardjo of apparently healthy individuals, FUO patients, meningitis patients and aborted women was 18.05, 19.02, 15.70 and 31.1%, respectively and it revealed that apparently healthy individuals, FUO patients and meningitis patients were found to be negative for L. Hardjo infection while aborted women were found to be inconclusive for L. Hardjo infection. Absence of L. Hardjo in human sera dose not means that the zoonotic transmission does not occur Based on the obtained results in the current study, it was clear that bovine and equine were considered to be potential reservoirs for L. Hardjo that might constitute a zoonotic risk for human contacts. Although examined human serum samples were found to be negative for L. Hardjo infection, the zoonotic hazard must not be neglected and further future studies should be carried out to highlight the zoonotic importance of L. Hardjo. Moreover, indirect ELISA seemed to be screening test to detect L. Hardjo infection in farm animals and human.