RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Rodents are recognized as major reservoirs of numerous zoonotic pathogens and are involved in the transmission and maintenance of infectious diseases. Furthermore, despite their importance, diseases transmitted by rodents have been neglected. To date, there have been limited epidemiological studies on rodents, and information regarding their involvement in infectious diseases in the Republic of Korea (ROK) is still scarce. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We investigated rodent-borne pathogens using nested PCR/RT-PCR from 156 rodents including 151 Apodemus agrarius and 5 Rattus norvegicus from 27 regions in eight provinces across the ROK between March 2019 and November 2020. Spleen, kidney, and blood samples were used to detect Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group, Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira interrogans, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV). Of the 156 rodents, 73 (46.8%) were infected with Bartonella spp., 25 (16.0%) with C. burnetii, 24 (15.4%) with L. interrogans, 21 (13.5%) with A. phagocytophilum, 9 (5.8%) with SFTSV, and 5 (3.2%) with Borrelia afzelii. Co-infections with two and three pathogens were detected in 33 (21.1%) and 11 rodents (7.1%), respectively. A. phagocytophilum was detected in all regions, showing a widespread occurrence in the ROK. The infection rates of Bartonella spp. were 83.3% for B. grahamii and 16.7% for B. taylorii. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. burnetii and SFTSV infections in rodents in the ROK. This study also provides the first description of various rodent-borne pathogens through an extensive epidemiological survey in the ROK. These results suggest that rodents harbor various pathogens that pose a potential threat to public health in the ROK. Our findings provide useful information on the occurrence and distribution of zoonotic pathogens disseminated among rodents and emphasize the urgent need for rapid diagnosis, prevention, and control strategies for these zoonotic diseases.
Assuntos
Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Bartonella , Coxiella burnetii , Zoonoses , Animais , República da Coreia/epidemiologia , Zoonoses/epidemiologia , Zoonoses/microbiologia , Ratos , Coxiella burnetii/isolamento & purificação , Coxiella burnetii/genética , Bartonella/isolamento & purificação , Bartonella/genética , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/isolamento & purificação , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/genética , Roedores/microbiologia , Murinae/microbiologia , Animais Selvagens/microbiologia , Animais Selvagens/virologia , Doenças dos Roedores/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Roedores/microbiologia , Doenças dos Roedores/virologia , Phlebovirus/genética , Phlebovirus/isolamento & purificação , Reservatórios de Doenças/microbiologia , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira interrogans/genéticaRESUMO
Leptospirosis is a common but underdiagnosed zoonosis. We conducted a 1-year prospective study in La Guaira State, Venezuela, analyzing 71 hospitalized patients who had possible leptospirosis and sampling local rodents and dairy cows. Leptospira rrs gene PCR test results were positive in blood or urine samples from 37/71 patients. Leptospira spp. were isolated from cultured blood or urine samples of 36/71 patients; 29 had L. interrogans, 3 L. noguchii, and 4 L. venezuelensis. Conjunctival suffusion was the most distinguishing clinical sign, many patients had liver involvement, and 8/30 patients with L. interrogans infections died. The Leptospira spp. found in humans were also isolated from local rodents; L. interrogans and L. venezuelensis were isolated from cows on a nearby, rodent-infested farm. Phylogenetic clustering of L. venezuelensis isolates suggested a recently expanded outbreak strain spread by rodents. Increased awareness of leptospirosis prevalence and rapid diagnostic tests are needed to improve patient outcomes.
Assuntos
Surtos de Doenças , Leptospira , Leptospirose , Filogenia , Roedores , Animais , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/veterinária , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Leptospirose/diagnóstico , Humanos , Venezuela/epidemiologia , Bovinos , Leptospira/genética , Leptospira/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira/classificação , Feminino , Roedores/microbiologia , Adulto , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doenças dos Bovinos/microbiologia , Doenças dos Bovinos/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Leptospira interrogans/genética , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira interrogans/classificação , Adulto Jovem , Estudos Prospectivos , Criança , Idoso , Doenças Endêmicas , Zoonoses/epidemiologia , Zoonoses/microbiologia , Pré-EscolarRESUMO
Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis for which investigations assessing host-pathogen interaction are scarce. The aim of this study was to compare the severity and bacterial species involved in human cases of leptospirosis on Reunion and Mayotte islands, territories located in the southwest Indian Ocean that have recorded high human leptospirosis incidence but display fairly distinct epidemiological situations. A retrospective multicentric study including all patients over 18 years of age from Mayotte or Reunion with proven leptospirosis was conducted from January 2018 to April 2020. This study collected demographic, geographical, clinical, and biological data. Overall, 490 patients were included, 222 on Mayotte and 268 on Reunion. More patients were hospitalized on Reunion (n = 215, 80%) compared with Mayotte (n = 102, 46%). Severe disease was more common on Reunion (n = 75, 28%) than on Mayotte (n = 22, 10%). The dominant Leptospira species on Reunion was Leptospira interrogans (79%) followed by Leptospira borgpetersenii (21%), contrasting with the epidemiological situation on Mayotte where L. interrogans was found in only a minority of patients (10%). The high frequency of severe cases on Reunion could be explained not only by higher comorbidities but also by the higher occurrence of L. interrogans infections compared with Mayotte. Finally, the distribution of cases linked to L. borgpetersenii was found almost exclusively on the west coast of Reunion, raising the potential role of a ruminant reservoir.
Assuntos
Leptospira , Leptospirose , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Humanos , Reunião/epidemiologia , Leptospira/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , Adulto , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Comores/epidemiologia , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Adulto Jovem , Adolescente , Idoso , AnimaisRESUMO
The World Health Organization classifies leptospirosis as a significant public health concern, predominantly affecting impoverished and unsanitary regions. By using the Pensacola Bay System as a case study, this study examines the underappreciated susceptibility of developed subtropical coastal ecosystems such as the Pensacola Bay System to neglected zoonotic pathogens such as Leptospira. We analyzed 132 water samples collected over 12 months from 44 distinct locations with high levels of Escherichia coli (>410 most probable number/100 mL). Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations were assessed using IDEXX Colilert-18 and Enterolert-18, and an analysis of water physiochemical characteristics and rainfall intensity was conducted. The LipL32 gene was used as a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) indicator to identify the distribution of Leptospira interrogans. The results revealed 12 instances of the presence of L. interrogans at sites with high FIB over various land cover and aquatic ecosystem types. Independent of specific rainfall events, a seasonal relationship between precipitation and elevated rates of fecal bacteria and leptospirosis was found. These findings highlight qPCR's utility in identifying pathogens in aquatic environments and the widespread conditions where it can be found in natural and developed areas.
Assuntos
Microbiologia da Água , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospira/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira/genética , Fezes/microbiologia , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira interrogans/genética , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Chuva , Estações do Ano , Baías/microbiologia , Análise Espaço-TemporalRESUMO
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the pathogenic spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira. It is a public health concern in the Pacific Islands and is considered endemic in Palau. However, information on the genotypes and serotypes of causative Leptospira spp. in the country is limited. In this study, we isolated leptospires and detected antileptospiral antibodies in dogs and pigs. The isolates were characterized using a serological method and whole-genome sequencing. Leptospira interrogans was isolated from five of the 20 symptomatic dogs and one of the 58 healthy pigs. Their serogroups were identified as Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pyrogenes; however, the serogroup of one isolate could not be determined. Anti-Leptospira antibodies were detected in 14.4% (26/181) of the dogs and 20% (10/50) of the pigs. The reactive serogroups in dogs and pigs were almost identical, except for the Panama serogroup. Core genome multilocus sequence typing revealed that five of the six core genome sequence types (cgSTs) were newly identified in this study. The cgSTs from the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae isolates belonged to the same group as the Copenhageni and Icterohaemorrhagiae serovars isolated in other countries, whereas no similar cgSTs were identified in the Pyrogenes or unidentified serogroup strains. We demonstrated a high incidence of canine and porcine leptospirosis and identified new L. interrogans genotypes (cgSTs) circulating in Palau. Further investigations are needed to determine whether dogs and pigs serve as maintenance hosts for newly identified L. interrogans genotypes and whether they pose a risk of leptospirosis transmission to humans.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão , Leptospirose , Doenças dos Suínos , Animais , Leptospirose/veterinária , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Cães , Suínos , Doenças do Cão/microbiologia , Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Suínos/microbiologia , Doenças dos Suínos/epidemiologia , Leptospira/genética , Leptospira/imunologia , Leptospira/classificação , Leptospira/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira interrogans/genética , Leptospira interrogans/imunologia , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira interrogans/classificação , Sorogrupo , Sequenciamento Completo do Genoma , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Genótipo , Tipagem de Sequências MultilocusRESUMO
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease with a worldwide distribution, which represents a major challenge in animal production across developing countries, mainly in tropical areas. Horses are particularly susceptible to the disease, presenting manifestations ranging from subclinical to the development of uveitis that compromises the visual health of the animals. In recent years, serological studies have been carried out in equid populations from America, demonstrating high exposure. For this reason, the aim of this study was to demonstrate microbiologically and molecularly the presence of the members of the genus Leptospira in urine samples from equids in an endemic state of leptospirosis in Mexico, and to detect the serological presence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in the sampled animals. For this reason, blood and urine samples were collected from 28 horses and one mule from three localities in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Urine samples were inoculated in Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) medium, and the recovered isolates were typed using a short Multi Locus Sequence Typing scheme. Amplifications of the expected size were subjected to sequencing, and the recovered sequences were compared with those of reference deposited in GenBank using the BLAST tool. To identify their phylogenetic position, we performed a phylogenetic reconstruction using the maximum likelihood method. Additionally, Microscopic Agglutination test was performed on the serum samples to identify anti-Leptospira antibodies. We recovered 16 urine isolates which tested positive for the presence of Leptospira DNA. The phylogenetic reconstruction and the MLST analysis confirmed the presence of several genotypes of Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira santarosai. An overall serological frequency of 97.1 % was detected. Our results represent the first record of the presence of Leptospira through bacteriological isolates in equids from Mexico.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antibacterianos , Doenças dos Cavalos , Leptospira , Leptospirose , Filogenia , Animais , Leptospirose/veterinária , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , México/epidemiologia , Cavalos/microbiologia , Doenças dos Cavalos/microbiologia , Leptospira/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira/genética , Leptospira/classificação , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira interrogans/genética , Leptospira interrogans/classificação , Tipagem de Sequências Multilocus , Análise de Sequência de DNA , DNA Bacteriano/genéticaRESUMO
The reproductive features of equine leptospirosis are often neglected. Equine genital leptospirosis is characterized as a silent chronic syndrome, and besides abortions, leads to placental abnormalities, stillbirths, and birth of weak foals. This study aimed to study the occurrence of placental abnormalities associated with Leptospira interrogans infection in naturally infected mares under field conditions. The studied herd had a high occurrence of placentitis and abortions. Ten pregnant mares, eight with placental abnormalities on ultrasonography and were selected. Serum and cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) samples were collected for serology and PCR, respectively. Positive samples in lipL32-PCR were submitted to the sequencing of the secY gene. In lipL32-PCR of CVM, five out of 10 (50%) mares were positive and all were characterized as Leptospira interrogans. Our results highlight the presence of placental abnormalities in the reproductive subclinical leptospirosis syndrome. We encourage field veterinarians to include leptospirosis testing in their reproductive management.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Cavalos , Leptospira interrogans , Leptospirose , Doenças Placentárias , Placenta , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez , Animais , Cavalos , Leptospirose/veterinária , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/complicações , Doenças dos Cavalos/microbiologia , Gravidez , Feminino , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Doenças Placentárias/microbiologia , Doenças Placentárias/veterinária , Doenças Placentárias/patologia , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/veterinária , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/microbiologia , Placenta/microbiologia , Placenta/patologiaRESUMO
Leptospira spp. are bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease with considerable impacts on the economy, animal health, and public health. This disease has a global distribution and is particularly prevalent in Brazil. Both rural and urban environments are habitats for Leptospira spp., which are primarily transmitted through contact with the urine of infected animals. Consequently, domestic and wild species can harbor these prokaryotes and serve as infection sources for other hosts. In the context of wild animals, there is a dearth of molecular studies elucidating the roles of various animal and bacterial species in the epidemiology of leptospirosis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the presence of Leptospira spp. DNA in different species of free-living and captive wild animals and to assess the phylogenetic relationships of the identified microorganisms in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The samples were evaluated for the presence of the gene lipL32 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the amplified fragment after which phylogenetic analyzes were carried out. DNA from Leptospira spp. was extracted from kidney tissue from wild animals (Mammalia class). Pathogenic Leptospira spp. DNA was detected in 9.6% (11/114) of the samples, originating from nine species of wild animals, including the white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris), skunk (Conepatus chinga), geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), margay (Leopardus wiedii), pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus), capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis), and european hare (Lepus europaeus). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of Leptospira borgpetersenii and Leptospira interrogans in these animals. This research is the first study contributing to the epidemiology of leptospirosis by identifying L. borgpetersenii and L. interrogans in free-living and captive wild animals in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, potentially acting as bacterial reservoirs. Additionally, our findings can inform sanitary measures for controlling and preventing the disease, thereby safeguarding public health.
Assuntos
Animais Selvagens , Leptospira interrogans , Leptospira , Leptospirose , Filogenia , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Leptospirose/veterinária , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Animais Selvagens/microbiologia , Leptospira/genética , Leptospira/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira/classificação , Leptospira interrogans/genética , Leptospira interrogans/classificação , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Mamíferos/microbiologia , DNA Bacteriano/genéticaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by pathogenic species of bacteria belonging to the genus Leptospira. Most studies infer the epidemiological patterns of a single serogroup or aggregate all serogroups to estimate overall seropositivity, thus not exploring the risks of exposure to distinct serogroups. The present study aims to delineate the demographic, socioeconomic and environmental factors associated with seropositivity of Leptospira serogroup Icterohaemorraghiae and serogroup Cynopteri in an urban high transmission setting for leptospirosis in Brazil. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We performed a cross-sectional serological study in five informal urban communities in the city of Salvador, Brazil. During the years 2018, 2020 2021, we recruited 2.808 residents and collected blood samples for serological analysis using microagglutination assays. We used a fixed-effect multinomial logistic regression model to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity for each serogroup. Seropositivity to Cynopteri increased with each year of age (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.06) and was higher in those living in houses with unplastered walls (exposed brick) (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.09-2.59) and where cats were present near the household (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.03-3.88). Seropositivity to Icterohaemorrhagiae also increased with each year of age (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.03) and was higher in males (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.09-2.10), in those with work-related exposures (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.10-2.66) or who had contact with sewage (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.00-2.03). Spatial analysis showed differences in distribution of seropositivity to serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae and Cynopteri within the five districts where study communities were situated. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our data suggest distinct epidemiological patterns associated with the Icterohaemorrhagiae and Cynopteri serogroups in the urban environment at high risk for leptospirosis and with differences in spatial niches. We emphasize the need for studies that accurately identify the different pathogenic serogroups that circulate and infect residents of low-income areas.
Assuntos
Leptospira interrogans , Leptospira , Leptospirose , Sorogrupo , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Leptospirose/transmissão , Brasil/epidemiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Feminino , Estudos Transversais , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Leptospira/classificação , Leptospira/imunologia , Leptospira/isolamento & purificação , Adulto Jovem , Adolescente , Leptospira interrogans/imunologia , Leptospira interrogans/classificação , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Fatores de Risco , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , População Urbana , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Animais , Criança , IdosoRESUMO
AIMS: Rat-associated zoonotic pathogen transmission at the human-wildlife interface is a public health concern in urban environments where Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) thrive on abundant anthropogenic resources and live in close contact with humans and other animal species. To identify potential factors influencing zoonotic pathogen occurrence in rats, we investigated associations between environmental and sociodemographic factors and Leptospira interrogans and Bartonella spp. infections in rats from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, while controlling for the potential confounding effects of animal characteristics (i.e., sexual maturity and body condition). METHODS AND RESULTS: Between November 2018 and June 2021, 252 rats were submitted by collaborating pest control professionals. Kidney and spleen samples were collected for L. interrogans and Bartonella spp. PCR and sequencing, respectively. Of the rats tested by PCR, 12.7% (32/252) were positive for L. interrogans and 16.3% (37/227) were positive for Bartonella species. Associations between infection status and environmental and sociodemographic variables of interest were assessed via mixed multivariable logistic regression models with a random intercept for social group and fixed effects to control for sexual maturity and body condition in each model. The odds of L. interrogans infection were significantly higher in rats from areas with high building density (odds ratio [OR]: 3.76; 95% CI: 1.31-10.79; p = 0.014), high human population density (OR: 3.31; 95% CI: 1.20-9.11; p = 0.021), high proportion of buildings built in 1960 or before (OR: 11.21; 95% CI: 2.06-60.89; p = 0.005), and a moderate number of reports of uncollected garbage compared to a low number of reports (OR: 4.88; 95% CI: 1.01-23.63; p = 0.049). A negative association was observed between median household income and Bartonella spp. infection in rats (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.08-0.89; p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the complexity of the ecology of rat-associated zoonoses, consideration of environmental and sociodemographic factors is of critical importance to better understand the nuances of host-pathogen systems and inform how urban rat surveillance and intervention efforts should be distributed within cities.
Assuntos
Infecções por Bartonella , Bartonella , Doenças dos Roedores , Zoonoses , Animais , Ratos , Ontário/epidemiologia , Infecções por Bartonella/veterinária , Infecções por Bartonella/epidemiologia , Infecções por Bartonella/microbiologia , Bartonella/isolamento & purificação , Bartonella/genética , Doenças dos Roedores/microbiologia , Doenças dos Roedores/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/veterinária , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Humanos , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Masculino , Fatores Sociodemográficos , Feminino , Meio AmbienteRESUMO
Leptospirosis is a common global zoonotic disease of man and all farm animals. Although most leptospiral infections in sheep and goats are asymptomatic, they may play a role in the epidemiology of the disease by the spread of Leptospira through the urine. This study was carried out to evaluate the role of sheep and goats in the epidemiology of leptospirosis. Blood and urine samples were taken from 210 goats and 246 sheep. To detect antibodies, sera samples were tested with 8 live serovars of L. interrogans (Hardjo, Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Canicola, Ballum, Icterhemorrhagiae, Tarasovi, and Australis) by MAT. Then, urine samples were tested by Nested PCR targeting 16S rRNA gene for detection of pathogenic Leptospira. Results of MAT showed that 10.95% of goats and 8.53% of sheep had antibodies against at least one examined serovars. In both species, the highest reacting was L. i. Pomona with a rate of 68.18% and 56% in sheep and goats, respectively. Moreover, in PCR, 2 (0.95%) urine samples of goat and 12 (4.87%) urine samples of sheep were positive. All of the MAT positive studied animals were PCR negative and, statistical analysis showed that there was no relationship and agreement between the results of PCR and MAT in sheep (kappa = - 0.07, p > 0.05) and goats (kappa = - 0.02, p > 0.05). Finally, it is concluded that sheep and goats can excrete L. interrogans in the urine and thus transmit them to other animals and humans.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Bacteriúria/veterinária , Doenças das Cabras/epidemiologia , Leptospira interrogans , Leptospirose/veterinária , Doenças dos Ovinos/epidemiologia , Testes de Aglutinação , Animais , Zoonoses Bacterianas/epidemiologia , Bacteriúria/microbiologia , Doenças das Cabras/microbiologia , Doenças das Cabras/transmissão , Cabras , Leptospira interrogans/imunologia , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Leptospirose/transmissão , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Ovinos , Doenças dos Ovinos/microbiologia , Doenças dos Ovinos/transmissão , Urina/microbiologiaRESUMO
Indian Ocean islands are endemic areas for human and animal leptospirosis. Maintenance host species for Leptospira spp. have still not been completely elucidated, and recently the role of cats (Felis catus) has been questioned. This cross-sectional study aims to determine whether cats are part of the maintenance community of different strains of Leptospira spp. in Reunion Island. The prevalence of Leptospira infection in an opportunistic sample of stray and domestic cats (n = 92) from Reunion Island has been studied using serological (microagglutination test) and molecular detection (polymerase chain reaction (PCR)). The results revealed a seroprevalence of 37.0% (34/92) (cut-off 1:40) without a significant difference in the living conditions of animals. The predominant serogroup was Icterohaemorrhagiae, but Ballum, Cynopteri and Australis were also detected. Using PCR, 28.6% (12/42) of stray cats were tested positive. Leptospiral DNA was detected in renal tissue, urine and blood of respectively 14.3% (6/42), 10.3% (4/39) and 11.9% (5/42) of stray cats, but 0% (0/3), 0% (0/50) and 0% (0/36) of domestic cats (P = non-applicable, P = 0,038, P = 0,058 respectively). Partial rrs gene (16S rRNA) sequencing identified Leptospira interrogans in all PCR-positive samples. Our study confirms that renal carriage and urinary shedding are possible, positioning cats, and especially stray cats as potential actors within the maintenance community of L. interrogans in Reunion Island.
Assuntos
Leptospira/isolamento & purificação , Leptospirose/veterinária , Animais , Doenças do Gato/epidemiologia , Doenças do Gato/microbiologia , Gatos , Rim/microbiologia , Leptospira/genética , Leptospira interrogans/genética , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Animais de Estimação , RNA Ribossômico 16S , Reunião/epidemiologia , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Zoonoses/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is an endemic zoonosis in Brazil, with a great impact on human and animal health. Although dogs are frequently infected by pathogenic Leptospira, the current epidemiological understanding of canine leptospirosis is mainly based on serological tests that predict the infecting serogroup/serovar. Thus, the present study aimed at identifying the causative agent for severe cases of canine leptospirosis in a highly endemic area through the isolation and characterization of the isolated strains. RESULTS: Urine, serum and blood samples were collected from 31 dogs with suspected acute leptospirosis treated at the Veterinary Hospital Service of Santo Amaro University between 2018 and 2019. Acute infection was confirmed in 17 dogs (54.8%) by the associated use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Microscopic Agglutination (MAT) and bacteriological culture. Eleven dogs (35.5%) had titers ≥800, with the most frequent serogroups being Autumnalis and Icterohaemorrhagiae (n = 4 each) and Canicola (n = 2). Leptospires were recovered from four dogs, and Multilocus Sequence Analysis (MLSA) revealed infection caused by L. interrogans, which were further characterized as serogroups Canicola (n = 1) and Icterohaemorrhagiae (n = 3). CONCLUSION: The identity of the isolates and serological pattern of MAT suggest that dogs are highly exposed to the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola, also indicating possible circulation of serogroups not yet isolated in Brazil, notably serogroup Autumnalis. Our findings also reinforce the usefulness of using multiple diagnostic approaches to confirm acute canine leptospirosis.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/diagnóstico , Leptospira/isolamento & purificação , Leptospirose/veterinária , Testes de Aglutinação/veterinária , Animais , Brasil , Doenças do Cão/microbiologia , Cães , Leptospira/classificação , Leptospira/genética , Leptospira/imunologia , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospirose/diagnóstico , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Tipagem de Sequências Multilocus/veterinária , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/veterinária , SorogrupoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis in developing countries including Egypt where its burden is underestimated. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was carried out to estimate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo infection among cows and leptospirosis among human patients in Mid-Delta of Egypt. RESULTS: Out of 112 examined cows using ELISA, 3.6% were seropositive to L. interrogans serovar Hardjo infection. Seroconversion occurred in 5 animals (1 herd) of all examined animals in convalescent phase testing (5/112, 4.5%). Affected herd suffered acute outbreak with 43.3% within herd prevalence; signs of infection included abortions, bloody urine and sudden death of 2 cows. Highest risk for L. interrogans serovar Hardjo infection in cows was in animals drank from untreated surface water (6.7 times, p = 0.06). The seroprevalence of leptospirosis was 6.2% in all tested humans, 28.6% in nonspecific fever cases and 22.2% in non-viral hepatitis cases. The risk of leptospirosis among patients with nonspecific fever or non-viral hepatitis cases was 4 times higher than those with viral hepatitis (p = 0.01). Additionally, there was a significant association between leptospirosis and patients with livestock contact (Odds 8, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of L. interrogans serovar Hardjo outbreak in cows in Egypt. The study also highlighted the role of leptospirosis as neglected cause of nonspecific fever/non-viral hepatitis in humans in study region.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Bovinos/epidemiologia , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospirose/veterinária , Animais , Bovinos , Doenças dos Bovinos/sangue , Doenças dos Bovinos/etiologia , Estudos Transversais , Demografia , Egito/epidemiologia , Características da Família , Feminino , Humanos , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Masculino , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Zoonoses/prevenção & controleRESUMO
The spirochete bacterium Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona is enzootic to California sea lions (CSL; Zalophus californianus) and causes periodic epizootics. Leptospirosis in CSL is associated with a high fatality rate in rehabilitation. Evidence-based tools for estimating prognosis and guiding early euthanasia of animals with a low probability of survival are critical to reducing the severity and duration of animal suffering. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis of clinical data was used to predict survival outcomes of CSL with leptospirosis in rehabilitation. Classification tree outputs are binary decision trees that can be readily interpreted and applied by a clinician. Models were trained using data from cases treated from 2017 to 2018 at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA, and tested against data from cases treated from 2010 to 2012. Two separate classification tree analyses were performed, one including and one excluding data from euthanized animals. When data from natural deaths and euthanasias were included in model-building, the best classification tree predicted outcomes correctly for 84.7% of cases based on four variables: appetite over the first 3 days in care, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and sodium at admission. When only natural deaths were included, the best model predicted outcomes correctly for 87.6% of cases based on BUN and creatinine at admission. This study illustrates that CART analysis can be successfully applied to wildlife in rehabilitation to establish evidence-based euthanasia criteria with the goal of minimizing animal suffering. In the context of a large epizootic that challenges the limits of a facility's capacity for care, the models can assist in maximizing allocation of resources to those animals with the highest predicted probability of survival. This technique may be a useful tool for other diseases seen in wildlife rehabilitation.
Assuntos
Leptospirose/veterinária , Leões-Marinhos/microbiologia , Envelhecimento , Animais , Animais Selvagens , Surtos de Doenças , Rim/microbiologia , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Leptospirose/patologia , Leptospirose/urina , Prognóstico , Análise de RegressãoRESUMO
At present, little is known regarding the prevalence of buffalo leptospirosis worldwide, especially with respect to which Leptospira strains may infect this animal species. Furthermore, most investigations into this disease in buffaloes have only been performed with serological studies. In Brazil, particularly in the Amazon, buffalo production is growing and is just as important as cattle production, although few studies have been performed on buffalo compared to cattle. Thus, the aim of this study was to isolate and characterise Leptospira strains from river buffaloes raised in the Brazilian Amazon region. We collected 109 kidney samples from slaughtered buffaloes raised in the Amazon Delta region of Brazil. The samples were analysed by bacteriological culture for the isolation of leptospires, and the obtained isolates were serologically and molecularly characterised by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), DNA sequencing and multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Five isolates were obtained, and in serogrouping analyses, these isolates were only reactive for the Pomona serogroup, with an observed titre of 25,600. The DNA sequencing results revealed that all the isolates belonged to the species Leptospira interrogans, and the MLVA results showed that the VNTR loci 4, 7 and 10 profile of all the isolates was 4-1-10. In this study, we observed that Pomona serogroup strains circulate in buffaloes in the Amazon, showing that in Brazil, buffaloes can be affected by Leptospira strains other than the Sejroe group, which are adapted to cattle.
Assuntos
Búfalos/microbiologia , Leptospira interrogans/classificação , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospirose/veterinária , Rios , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Feminino , Leptospira interrogans/genética , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , MasculinoRESUMO
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonotic disease of animals and humans caused by pathogenic Leptospira, which has major public health concerns. The study is aimed to express the recombinant outer membrane protein (OMP) A-like protein (rLoa22) and transmembrane (rOmpL37) protein of Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo in the Escherichia coli and their evaluation as a diagnostic antigen in the latex agglutination test (LAT) to detect anti-leptospiral antibodies in the sera of animals. The Loa22 and OmpL37 genes lacking signal peptide coding sequences were individually amplified (522 and 963 bp), by polymerase chain reaction, and directionally cloned into a pETite N-His Kan vector for expression. The expressed purified proteins were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblot, which confirmed leptospiral specific reactive protein with a molecular weight of ~19 and 36 kDa, respectively. The sensitized latex beads coated with these OM proteins separately were evaluated in LAT using cattle sera of microscopic agglutination test (MAT) confirmed positive (n = 53) and negative (n = 52) cases of leptospirosis. The rLoa22 LAT and rOmpL37 LAT revealed the relative diagnostic sensitivity of 94·34 and 96·23%, diagnostic specificity of 92·31 and 96·15% and accuracy of 93·33 and 96·19%, with the excellent agreement of Cohen's kappa value of 0·87 and 0·92, respectively. After extensive evaluation, this rapid recombinant protein-based field diagnostic test can be applied as a screening test for the detection of anti-leptospiral antibodies in the sera of animals in the field conditions.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Antígenos de Bactérias/imunologia , Proteínas da Membrana Bacteriana Externa/imunologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/métodos , Testes de Fixação do Látex/veterinária , Leptospirose/diagnóstico , Animais , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/imunologia , Antígenos de Bactérias/genética , Bovinos , Doenças dos Bovinos/diagnóstico , Doenças dos Bovinos/parasitologia , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Immunoblotting , Testes de Fixação do Látex/métodos , Leptospira interrogans/imunologia , Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospirose/veterinária , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Testes Sorológicos/métodos , Zoonoses/diagnóstico , Zoonoses/parasitologiaRESUMO
AIMS: To estimate animal-level seroprevalence of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni and L. borgpetersenii serovars Ballum and Tarassovi, in beef cattle, sheep and deer on New Zealand farms, and herd/flock-level seroprevalence of any serovar when existing same-sera data for serovars Hardjobovis and Pomona were included, and to determine associations between risk factors and animal-level seroprevalence. METHODS: Banked sera from sheep (n = 82), beef (n = 54) and deer (n = 62) herds/flocks (n = 3,878 animals) from seven regions were analysed using the microscopic agglutination test. Titres of ≥48 were designated positive. Herds/flocks were considered positive if either ≥1, ≥2 or ≥3 animals were positive. Existing same-sera data for serovars Hardjobovis and Pomona were included to establish farm-level any-serovar seropositivity. Factors associated with serological status were analysed using generalised estimating equations. RESULTS: Animal-level seroprevalence for serovars Ballum, Copenhageni, and Tarassovi, respectively, was 13.7 (95% CI = 11.7-16.0)%, 12.6 (95% CI = 10.6-14.7)% and 18.0 (95% CI = 15.7-20.5)% for beef cattle, 10.5 (95% CI = 9.0-12.1)%, 16.7 (95% CI = 14.9-18.6)% and 14.0 (95% CI = 12.4-15.8)% for sheep and 6.6 (95% CI = 5.3-8.2)%, 15.5 (95% CI = 13.5-17.7)% and 3.6 (95% CI = 2.7-4.8)% for deer, respectively. Herd/flock-level seroprevalence for Ballum was 86.6, 52.4 and 39.0% for sheep, 85.2, 52.7 and 33.3% for beef cattle and 50.8, 27.9 and 21.3% for deer at definitions ≥1, ≥2 and ≥3 seropositive animals per species, respectively. For Copenhageni, corresponding data were 95.1, 73.2 and 56.1% for sheep, 68.5, 48.2 and 29.6% for beef cattle and 73.8, 57.4 and 41.0% for deer, and for Tarassovi, 80.5, 59.7 and 45.1% for sheep, 83.3, 68.5 and 61.1% for beef cattle, and 42.6, 16.4 and 4.9% for deer. Seropositivity to all serovars was observed from all regions, with some differences in seroprevalence observed between species and regions, but not between islands. Combining with Hardjobovis and Pomona data, herd/flock-level seropositivity for all animal species and all five Leptospira serovars was 100% at definition ≥1 animal positive, and 97.5 and 96.3% for sheep flocks, 87.8 and 97.8% for beef cattle herds, and 89.3 and 75% for deer herds at ≥2 and ≥3 animals positive, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Seropositivity to serovars Ballum, Copenhageni and Tarassovi is common in sheep, beef cattle and deer New Zealand and most, or all farms have ≥1 livestock species seropositive to ≥1 serovar. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serovars Ballum, Tarassovi and Copenhageni should be considered when clinical or subclinical signs of leptospirosis are observed in sheep, beef cattle or deer. Livestock sector workers are potentially at risk of exposure.
Assuntos
Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira/isolamento & purificação , Leptospirose/veterinária , Ruminantes/microbiologia , Animais , Bovinos , Cervos , Leptospira/classificação , Leptospira interrogans/classificação , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/microbiologia , Nova Zelândia/epidemiologia , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , OvinosRESUMO
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging and globally spread zoonosis caused by pathogenic genomospecies of Leptospira. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) are an important Leptospira host and are increasing in population all over Europe. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate Leptospira spp. infection in the reproductive systems of wild boar hunted in two Italian regions: Tuscany and Sardinia. From 231 animals, reproductive system tissue samples (testicles, epididymides, uteri) as well as placentas and fetuses were collected. Bacteriological examination and Real-Time PCR were performed to detect pathogenic Leptospira (lipL32 gene). Leptospires were isolated from the testicles and epididymides of one adult and two subadult wild boar. Four isolates from the two subadult males were identified as Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis by MLST, whereas Leptospira kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa was identified from the adult testicles and epididymis. Using Real-Time PCR, 70 samples were positive: 22 testicles (23.16%) and 22 epididymides (23.16%), 10 uteri (7.35%), 3 placentas (6.66%), and 13 fetuses (28.88%). Amplification of the rrs2 gene identified L. interrogans and L. kirschneri species. The results from this investigation confirmed that wild boar represent a potential source of pathogenic Leptospira spp. Isolation of Leptospira serogroups Australis and Grippotyphosa from the male reproductive system and the positive Real-Time PCR results from both male and female samples could suggest venereal transmission, as already demonstrated in pigs. Furthermore, placentas and fetuses were positive for the lipL32 target, and this finding may be related to a possible vertical transmission of pathogenic Leptospira.
Assuntos
Leptospira interrogans/isolamento & purificação , Leptospira/isolamento & purificação , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/veterinária , Infecções do Sistema Genital/microbiologia , Sus scrofa/microbiologia , Animais , Técnicas de Tipagem Bacteriana , Epididimo/microbiologia , Feminino , Feto/parasitologia , Técnicas de Genotipagem , Itália/epidemiologia , Leptospira/genética , Leptospira interrogans/genética , Masculino , Tipagem de Sequências Multilocus , Placenta/microbiologia , Gravidez , Suínos/microbiologia , Testículo/microbiologia , Útero/microbiologiaRESUMO
At least two real-time PCRs for the early diagnosis of leptospirosis have been described, evaluated and validated. However, at least one other report suggested adaptation and modification of primers and probes used in these assays since additional Leptospira species have been described and the primers and probe in use possess a serious mismatch to corresponding target sequence. In this study we developed a real-time PCR for detection of pathogenic Leptospira based on the lipL32 gene. The present method consists of generic primers and probes based on target sequence of 10 pathogenic Leptospira species including Leptospira interrogans. The hybridization, annealing and extension temperature (60°C) were optimized as the optimal temperature of the DNA polymerase enzyme which is used in the amplification reaction. The present assay has a high analytical sensitivity and specificity; the calculated diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 93.0% and 98.3% respectively. Moreover, the present method includes an internal control which enables easy detection of false negative results and an optional extraction control which enables the estimation of the DNA extraction efficiency.