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Loria J, Reis L, Roussouliéres I, Pinto PHN, Balaro MFA, Lilenbaum W. Genital route in experimental infection, a promising approach to study genital leptospirosis in ruminants. Vet J 2024; 305:106127. [PMID: 38710383 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Infection by Leptospira sp., mainly strains from the Sejroe serogroup, impairs the reproductive efficiency of ruminants leading to economic losses. Although the majority of experimental studies use the intraperitoneal route of leptospiral infection, it has been suggested that natural infection occurs frequently by sexual transmission. Thus, we assessed the genital route of infection to study genital leptospirosis in the sheep model. A strain of L. borgpetersenii serogroup Sejroe, serovar Hardjobovis was inoculated in 18 ewes, divided into three groups for inoculation: intraperitoneal (n=6; Gip), cervical superficial (genital) (n=6; Ggen) and conjunctival (n=6; Gconj). Monthly, for 90 days, blood samples were collected for serology (MAT) and PCR was performed on urine, cervical-vaginal mucus, and uterine fragments. All ewes were successfully infected, independently of the infection route. Gip and Ggen did not differ throughout the experiment, either on seroconversion or on PCR positivity on urine or genital samples. In contrast, Gconj presented fewer seroreactive animals (P<0.05) and fewer PCR-pos on genital samples than the other groups. The results obtained demonstrated that, although all groups presented both urinary and genital infections, the genital route was more efficient and did not differ from the traditional intraperitoneal. It indicates that genital via, besides being a naturally occurring transmission via, represents a promising and interesting route regarding future studies related to genital leptospirosis in ruminants, and its use should be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Loria
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210-030, Brazil
| | - L Reis
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210-030, Brazil
| | - I Roussouliéres
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210-030, Brazil
| | - P H N Pinto
- Pathology and Veterinary Clinics Department, Veterinary College, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24220-000, Brazil
| | - M F A Balaro
- Pathology and Veterinary Clinics Department, Veterinary College, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24220-000, Brazil
| | - W Lilenbaum
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210-030, Brazil.
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da Costa Barnabé NN, Soares RR, Barros DKS, Araújo Júnior JP, Malossi CD, Rodrigues Silva MLC, Brasil AWDL, da Costa DF, Higino SSDS, Santos CDSAB, de Azevedo SS, Alves CJ. The Role of Transplacental Infection in Leptospira spp. Epidemiology in Cattle in Caatinga Biome, Brazil. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1044. [PMID: 38930426 PMCID: PMC11205532 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that affects domestic animals, wild animals, and humans. It represents a public health problem and has an important economic impact on livestock. This study aims to investigate the importance of genital and transplacental infection in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in cows maintained in Caatinga biome conditions, Northeastern Brazil, as well as reporting organs colonized by Leptospira spp. in embryos and fetuses. Blood, urinary tract (urine, bladder, and kidney), and reproductive tract (vaginal fluid, uterus, uterine tube, ovary, and placenta) samples were collected from 15 slaughtered pregnant cows. Two embryos and 13 fetuses were sampled. Central nervous system and choroid ovoid samples were collected from embryos. Blood, central nervous system, lung, peritoneal liquid, abomasal content, liver, spleen, urine, bladder, kidney, and reproductive system samples were collected from fetuses. Diagnostic methods included the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using a collection of 24 serovars belonging to 17 different pathogenic serogroups of five species as antigens, as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were found in 9 cows (60%), while 13 cows (86.67%) had at least one organ or urine with leptospiral DNA. No fetus was seroreactive. Among the embryos and fetuses, 13 (86.67%) presented leptospiral DNA, proving a high frequency of transplacental infection (100%). For cows, the most frequent biological materials regarding Leptospira spp. DNA detection were placenta (13 out of 15 samples; 86.7%), uterus (10 out of 15 samples; 66.7%), and vaginal fluid (5 out of 15 samples; 33.3%), while, for fetuses/embryos, the most frequent PCR-positive samples were choroid ovoid (1/2; 50%), spleen (6/13; 46.2%), kidney (5/13; 38.5%), and central nervous system (5/15; 33.3%). Sequenced samples based on the LipL32 gene presented 99% similarity with L. borgpetersenii. The results indicate that transplacental infection is an efficient way of spreading Leptospira spp. in cows maintained in Caatinga biome conditions. Therefore, prevention and control strategies must include actions that interrupt transmission through this alternative route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathanael Natércio da Costa Barnabé
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708110, PB, Brazil; (N.N.d.C.B.); (R.R.S.); (D.K.S.B.); (M.L.C.R.S.); (S.S.d.S.H.); (C.d.S.A.B.S.); (C.J.A.)
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Soares
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708110, PB, Brazil; (N.N.d.C.B.); (R.R.S.); (D.K.S.B.); (M.L.C.R.S.); (S.S.d.S.H.); (C.d.S.A.B.S.); (C.J.A.)
| | - Deivyson Kelvis Silva Barros
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708110, PB, Brazil; (N.N.d.C.B.); (R.R.S.); (D.K.S.B.); (M.L.C.R.S.); (S.S.d.S.H.); (C.d.S.A.B.S.); (C.J.A.)
| | - João Pessoa Araújo Júnior
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, Botucatu 18618687, SP, Brazil; (J.P.A.J.); (C.D.M.)
| | - Camila Dantas Malossi
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, Botucatu 18618687, SP, Brazil; (J.P.A.J.); (C.D.M.)
| | - Maria Luana Cristiny Rodrigues Silva
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708110, PB, Brazil; (N.N.d.C.B.); (R.R.S.); (D.K.S.B.); (M.L.C.R.S.); (S.S.d.S.H.); (C.d.S.A.B.S.); (C.J.A.)
| | - Arthur Willian de Lima Brasil
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Rodovia BR 079, Km 02, Areia 58397000, PB, Brazil; (A.W.d.L.B.); (D.F.d.C.)
| | - Diego Figueiredo da Costa
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Rodovia BR 079, Km 02, Areia 58397000, PB, Brazil; (A.W.d.L.B.); (D.F.d.C.)
| | - Severino Silvano dos Santos Higino
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708110, PB, Brazil; (N.N.d.C.B.); (R.R.S.); (D.K.S.B.); (M.L.C.R.S.); (S.S.d.S.H.); (C.d.S.A.B.S.); (C.J.A.)
| | - Carolina de Sousa Américo Batista Santos
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708110, PB, Brazil; (N.N.d.C.B.); (R.R.S.); (D.K.S.B.); (M.L.C.R.S.); (S.S.d.S.H.); (C.d.S.A.B.S.); (C.J.A.)
| | - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708110, PB, Brazil; (N.N.d.C.B.); (R.R.S.); (D.K.S.B.); (M.L.C.R.S.); (S.S.d.S.H.); (C.d.S.A.B.S.); (C.J.A.)
| | - Clebert José Alves
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708110, PB, Brazil; (N.N.d.C.B.); (R.R.S.); (D.K.S.B.); (M.L.C.R.S.); (S.S.d.S.H.); (C.d.S.A.B.S.); (C.J.A.)
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Aymée L, Mendes J, Lilenbaum W. Bovine Genital Leptospirosis: An Update of This Important Reproductive Disease. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:322. [PMID: 38275782 PMCID: PMC10812666 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Bovine leptospirosis is an important disease that affects the reproductive sphere. Due to its high relevance for the bovine production chain in a worldwide scenario, a better understanding of the disease is crucial to reduce its negative impacts. The main agents are strains from the Sejroe serogroup, such as Hardjo and Guaricura, which lead to renal and genital infection. The genital colonization causes a chronic, silent, and subclinical reproductive syndrome, called Bovine Genital Leptospirosis (BGL). Embryonic death, estrus repetition, subfertility, and abortions are the main signs of BGL condition in females. However, although leptospires have been identified in semen, the manifestation of BGL in bulls remains to be clarified. The recommended diagnosis of BGL includes a serologic screening of the herds using the microscopic agglutination test followed by PCR of genital samples (cervicovaginal mucus, uterine fragment, or semen), especially from animals with reproductive failures. After the identification of carriers, control is carried out considering three steps: antimicrobial treatment of the carriers, environmental and reproductive management, and herd vaccination. Systematic testing, quarantine of newly arrived animals, and usage of antimicrobials in semen diluents or embryo culture media are other sanitary approaches that are encouraged to improve the control of the syndrome. Herein we discuss protocols for an efficient diagnosis and preventive procedures of BGL, which are fundamental to reducing the negative impact of the disease on cattle reproduction and its consequent economic hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Walter Lilenbaum
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Alameda Barros Terra Street, 57, Niterói 24020-150, Brazil (J.M.)
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de Azevedo SS. Epidemiology of Leptospira sp. Infection: Current Status, Insights and Future Prospects. Microorganisms 2023; 12:22. [PMID: 38257849 PMCID: PMC10821098 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, the scientific community has been faced with an increased risk of emerging or re-emerging zoonotic diseases, such as leptospirosis, mainly originating from anthropic actions [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Academic Unit of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Rural Health and Technology, Federal University of Campina Grande, Patos 58708-110, Brazil
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Aymée L, Zambrano JA, Escalona RP, Palhares K, Di Azevedo MIN, Lilenbaum W. Field application of a combined serological-molecular testing protocol for diagnosing genital leptospirosis in naturally infected cows with gestational losses. Vet Rec 2023; 193:e3309. [PMID: 37700460 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bovine genital leptospirosis (BGL) causes chronic reproductive disease in cattle. This study aimed to apply a combined serological-molecular testing protocol under field conditions for diagnosing BGL in cows with gestational losses. METHODS Three beef herds with reproductive failures were studied, and 60 cows with gestational losses (20 from each herd) were randomly selected for laboratory diagnosis of BGL. In addition, 40 cows with normal pregnancy were included as a control. Blood samples were collected from all 100 cows for microscopic agglutination testing, and cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) samples were collected from 28 cows with gestational losses and 20 control cows for lipL32-PCR. RESULTS All herds had high Leptospira seroreactivity (>65%), mainly against serogroup Sejroe. Ten of the 28 CVM samples from cows with gestational losses were PCR-positive, while all samples from the control group were negative (p < 0.05). LIMITATIONS Unfortunately, the positive samples did not amplify in secY-PCR for nucleotide sequencing, which would allow the identification of leptospiral strains. CONCLUSION Serology was sufficient to indicate leptospirosis at the herd level, but the definitive diagnosis of BGL was only possible using CVM PCR. Although seroreactivity against serogroup Sejroe has been associated with gestational losses, this is the first study to conduct CVM PCR as a confirmatory test for BGL diagnosis in extensive beef herds under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Aymée
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute of Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
| | | | | | - Karina Palhares
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute of Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
| | | | - Walter Lilenbaum
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute of Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
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de Andrade Morais D, Nunes BC, Soares RR, de Oliveira MD, da Costa DF, de Araújo HG, Júnior JPA, Malossi CD, Silva MLCR, de Azevedo SS, Alves CJ. Strong Evidence of the Role of Donkeys in the Epidemiology of Leptospira spp. in Semiarid Conditions. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1853. [PMID: 37513025 PMCID: PMC10384114 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Donkeys (Equus asinus) are historically known for their close relationship to humanity, which raises the need to study zoonotic diseases that affect them. In this perspective, leptospirosis stands out as a disease with an economic and public health impact, and its occurrence is facilitated in times of higher rainfall indexes, especially in large urban centers. In view of the scarcity of information about leptospirosis in donkeys, the objective of this study was to detect the presence of Leptospira spp. and anti-leptospiral antibodies in donkeys rescued by a zoonosis center located in the Caatiga biome, Brazilian semiarid region. Overall, 30 donkeys of both sexes, aged between 4 months and 15 years, were used, from which 64 serum samples were collected and submitted to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In addition, 64 samples of urine, vaginal and preputial fluid, in duplicates, were subjected to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microbiological. Sixteen (53.3%) animals tested positive in at least one diagnostic test, 12 (40%) of which were positive at MAT and seven (23.3%) in the molecular and bacteriological detection (urine, vaginal, and preputial fluid samples). This is the first report identifying donkeys infected with Leptospira spp. by molecular and bacteriological diagnosis in Brazil, and the first in the world to detect this agent in their genital fluids. The study also shows that donkeys are commonly exposed to leptospires in the Caatinga biome, and this constitutes a One Health-based concern, demonstrating the importance of broad studies where large numbers of humans and animals coexist when investigating zoonotic infections and when planning and implementing control measures for donkeys-associated leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davidianne de Andrade Morais
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Bruno Cesar Nunes
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Soares
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Murilo Duarte de Oliveira
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Diego Figueiredo da Costa
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Rodovia BR 079, Km 02, Areia 58397-000, PB, Brazil
| | - Hosaneide Gomes de Araújo
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - João Pessoa Araújo Júnior
- Campus de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Dantas Malossi
- Campus de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Luana Cristiny Rodrigues Silva
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Clebert José Alves
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
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Barnabé NNDC, Soares RR, Barros DKS, Nogueira DB, da Costa FTR, Araújo Júnior JP, Malossi CD, Ullmann LS, da Costa DF, Silva MLCR, Higino SSDS, Santos CDSAB, de Azevedo SS, Alves CJ. Bovine Leptospirosis in Caatinga Biome, Brazil: New Insights into Diagnosis and Epidemiology. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:177. [PMID: 36977178 PMCID: PMC10053506 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8030177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine leptospirosis causes economic losses and raises public health concerns. It is possible that there are peculiarities in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in regions with a semiarid climate, such as the Caatinga biome in Brazil, where the climate is hot and dry, and the etiological agent require alternative routes of transmission. This study aimed to close knowledge gaps to the diagnosis and epidemiology of Leptospira spp. infection in cows from the Caatinga biome, Brazil. Samples of the blood, urinary tract (urine, bladder and kidney) and reproductive tract (vaginal fluid, uterus, uterine tube, ovary and placenta) were collected from 42 slaughtered cows. Diagnostic tests included were the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial isolation. Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were found in 27 (64.3%) of the animals analyzed using MAT at a 1:50 dilution (cut-off 50), while 31 (73.8%) animals had at least one organ/fluid where the presence of Leptospira spp. DNA was identified, and 29 animals (69%) were positive at bacteriological culture. The highest sensitivity values for MAT were obtained at the cut-off point of 50. In conclusion, even under hot and dry climate conditions, it is possible that Leptospira spp. can spread through alternative routes such as venereal transmission; moreover, a cut-off of 50 is recommended for the serological diagnosis of cattle from the Caatinga biome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Soares
- Academic Unit of Veterinary Medicine (UAMV), Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Deivyson Kelvis Silva Barros
- Academic Unit of Veterinary Medicine (UAMV), Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Denise Batista Nogueira
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny (FMVZ), University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-220, Brazil
| | | | - João Pessoa Araújo Júnior
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of the São Paulo State (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Camila Dantas Malossi
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of the São Paulo State (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Leila Sabrina Ullmann
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of the São Paulo State (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Academic Unit of Veterinary Medicine (UAMV), Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Clebert José Alves
- Academic Unit of Veterinary Medicine (UAMV), Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos 58708-110, Brazil
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Galvão CMMDQ, Oliveira PRFD, Cavalcanti ALDA, Nogueira DB, Azevedo SSD, Ramos RADN, Mota RA. Occurrence of IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Leptospira spp. in goats and sheep from an indigenous village in Pernambuco, Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2023; 32:e000423. [PMID: 37132735 PMCID: PMC10153490 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612023022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Leptospira spp. antibodies in sheep and goats raised in villages of the Xukuru do Ororubá indigenous community, Pernambuco, Brazil. A total of 180 serum samples from sheep and 108 serum samples from goats of both sexes and different ages were analyzed. For antibody research, indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) were used for the protozoa T. gondii and N. caninum, and microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for Leptospira spp., with a cutoff titer of 1:64, 1:50 and 1:100, respectively. The frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies was 16.6% (30/180) for sheep and 11.1% (12/108) for goats. The frequency of anti-N. caninum antibodies was 10.55% (19/180) for sheep, and 20.37% (22/108) for goats, while for Leptospira spp., 2.2% (4/180) of sheep and 1.85% (2/108) of goats reacted positively. The results obtained in this study are unprecedented in indigenous communities in the country and serve as an alert for monitoring goats and sheep from the Xukuru do Ororubá indigenous village regarding the occurrence and productive impact of infections by T. gondii, N. caninum, and Leptospira spp., in addition to the occurrence of the zoonosis toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis in the indigenous community.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Denise Batista Nogueira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia Experimental Aplicada às Zoonoses, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Campina Grande - UFCG, Patos, PB, Brasil
| | | | - Rinaldo Aparecido Mota
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brasil
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Viana MP, Silva JDD, Lima AMC, Alves FSF, Pinheiro RR, Costa DFD, Silva GCPD, Nogueira DB, Azevedo SSD, Alves CJ. Risk factors associated with Leptospira sp. seroprevalence in goats in Northeast of Brazil. Prev Vet Med 2022; 208:105751. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2022.105751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Soares RR, da Costa Barnabé NN, Júnior JPA, Malossi CD, Ullmann LS, da Costa DF, Rodrigues Silva MLC, dos Santos Higino SS, de Azevedo SS, Alves CJ. Investigation of the Presence of Leptospira interrogans in Urinary and Genital Tracts of Male Goats Raised in the Semiarid Region of Brazil. Small Rumin Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2022.106880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Soares RR, Natércio da Costa Barnabé N, Cristiny Rodrigues Silva ML, Figueiredo da Costa D, Araújo Júnior JP, Malossi CD, Ullmann LS, Silvano Dos Santos Higino S, Santos de Azevedo S, Alves CJ. Detection of Leptospira spp. in genitourinary tract of female goats managed in the brazilian semiarid. Microb Pathog 2022; 172:105763. [PMID: 36116606 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Studies related to the prevalence of leptospirosis in the semiarid region showed that even during long periods of drought, the disease has a remarkable frequency in herds in the region. It is a neglected disease and the extent of its effects in the Brazilian semiarid region is not known. The dynamics of this agent is well studied in the urinary tract, however, there are not many studies regarding the genital tract in female goats. Observing this scenario, the present work aimed to diagnose Leptospira spp. in female goats kept in the Brazilian semiarid region by means of serological, molecular and isolation techniques. Blood samples, vaginal fluid, urine and fragments of organs from the genitourinary tract were collected from 40 goats destined for slaughter. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used as a serological technique, with a battery of 24 serovars. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of the vaginal fluid, urine and organ fragments was performed, as well as the bacterial growth of these same products in a selective medium. Isolation positive samples were subjected to PCR. It was observed that two (5%) animals were serologically positive for the Pyrogenes serogroup. A total of 29 (72.5%) animals were PCR positive, with DNA present in 51/160 (31.8%) samples from the genital tract and 34/120 (28.3%) from the urinary tract, with no statistical difference. For bacterial growth, 22/40 (55%) animals were positive for growth, with morphology being observed in 19/160 (11.8%) for the genital tract and 16/120 (13.3%) for the urinary tract, with no statistical difference. Two uterus samples showed 99% similarity with L. interrogans after sequencing. Thus, female goats kept under semiarid conditions were positive for Leptospira spp, with positive samples from both the urinary and genital tracts, which possible is an alternative way of adapting and maintaining the agent for severe and adverse conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Rodrigues Soares
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB, 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Nathanael Natércio da Costa Barnabé
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB, 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Maria Luana Cristiny Rodrigues Silva
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB, 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Diego Figueiredo da Costa
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Rodovia BR 079, Km 02, Areia, PB, 58397-000, Brazil
| | - João Pessoa Araújo Júnior
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Camila Dantas Malossi
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Leila Sabrina Ullmann
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Severino Silvano Dos Santos Higino
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB, 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Sergio Santos de Azevedo
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB, 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Clebert José Alves
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB, 58708-110, Brazil.
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12
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Sykes JE, Haake DA, Gamage CD, Mills WZ, Nally JE. A global one health perspective on leptospirosis in humans and animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2022; 260:1589-1596. [PMID: 35895801 DOI: 10.2460/javma.22.06.0258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a quintessential one health disease of humans and animals caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Intra- and interspecies transmission is dependent on 1) reservoir host animals in which organisms replicate and are shed in urine over long periods of time, 2) the persistence of spirochetes in the environment, and 3) subsequent human-animal-environmental interactions. The combination of increased flooding events due to climate change, changes in human-animal-environmental interactions as a result of the pandemic that favor a rise in the incidence of leptospirosis, and under-recognition of leptospirosis because of nonspecific clinical signs and severe signs that resemble COVID-19 represents a "perfect storm" for resurgence of leptospirosis in people and domestic animals. Although often considered a disease that occurs in warm, humid climates with high annual rainfall, pathogenic Leptospira spp have recently been associated with disease in animals and humans that reside in semiarid regions like the southwestern US and have impacted humans that have a wide spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds. Therefore, it is critical that physicians, veterinarians, and public health experts maintain a high index of suspicion for the disease regardless of geographic and socioeconomic circumstances and work together to understand outbreaks and implement appropriate control measures. Over the last decade, major strides have been made in our understanding of the disease because of improvements in diagnostic tests, molecular epidemiologic tools, educational efforts on preventive measures, and vaccines. These novel approaches are highlighted in the companion Currents in One Health by Sykes et al, AJVR, September 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane E Sykes
- 1Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - David A Haake
- 2VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA.,3David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Chandika D Gamage
- 4Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Jarlath E Nally
- 6National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, USDA, Ames, IA
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13
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Santos JCDA, de Vasconcelos IFF, Nogueira DB, Junior JPA, Malossi CD, Ullmann LS, Santos CDSAB, Alves CJ, Silva MLCR, de Azevedo SS. New insights on Leptospira sp. infection in ewes maintained in field semiarid conditions. Acta Trop 2022; 234:106610. [PMID: 35850236 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is poorly studied in small ruminants raised in field semiarid conditions. In this study we compared serological, bacteriological and molecular diagnostic methods in ewes maintained in field Brazilian semiarid conditions. Blood, vaginal fluid and urine samples were collected from 60 Morada Nova ewes raised in a semi-intensive system in the Brazilian semiarid. Diagnostic tests performed were microscopic agglutination test (MAT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial isolation. Anti-Leptospira sp. antibodies were found in eight (13.33%) animals analyzed by MAT at reciprocal titer 25 (cut-off 25), while Leptospira sp. DNA was detected in urine or vaginal fluid of 56 animals (93.33%). There was growth of leptospires in 10 urine cultures and in 11 vaginal fluid cultures, however, two of urine (2/60-3.33%) and eight cultures of vaginal fluid (8/60-13.33%) were confirmed by PCR. Two samples of vaginal fluid (one of each animal) were submitted to sequencing demonstrating 99% similarity with L. santarosai and L. interrogans. The highest MAT sensitivities were obtained with reciprocal titer 25 (cut-off 25) compared to 50 and 100. The performance of different diagnostic techniques for leptospirosis in ewes raised in field semiarid conditions allowed a better evaluation of the herd, as well as made it possible to identify carrier animals. Genital route may be important for efficient transmission and without dependence on environmental factors in ewes from semiarid, as well as it's highlighted that titer 1:25 in serology was more efficient, indicating its use in ewes in field semiarid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Cesar de Araujo Santos
- Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Igor Felipe Ferreira de Vasconcelos
- Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Denise Batista Nogueira
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Joao Pessoa Araujo Junior
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Camila Dantas Malossi
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Leila Sabrina Ullmann
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
| | | | - Clebert José Alves
- Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Maria Luana Cristiny Rodrigues Silva
- Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB 58708-110, Brazil.
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14
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Shetty A, Kundu S, Vernel-Pauillac F, Ratet G, Werts C, Gomes-Solecki M. Transient Presence of Live Leptospira interrogans in Murine Testes. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0277521. [PMID: 35446113 PMCID: PMC9241917 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02775-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Analysis of Leptospira dissemination and colonization of sex organs in rodents is of significant value as it queries the possibility of mammal-to-mammal venereal transmission. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence and viability of Leptospira interrogans in testes of mice using models of infection that we previously developed. Using sublethal and lethal doses of bioluminescent strains of L. interrogans serovars Manilae and Copenhageni, we visualized the presence of leptospires in testes of C57BL/6 mice as early as 30 min and up to days 3-4 postinfection. This was confirmed by qPCR for the Copenhageni serovar after lethal infection of C3H/HeJ mice. In this model, no histopathological changes were noticed in testis. We further studied persistence of serovar Copenhageni in C3H/HeJ testes after lethal and sublethal infection, with different doses of leptospires. No viable leptospires were recovered from testes of lethally infected mice. However, we found live culturable Leptospira in testes of 19/19 (100%) sublethally infected mice at the acute phase but not at 15 days postinfection, which corresponds to the chronic phase of renal colonization. The data suggest that colonization of testes with live and potentially infectious leptospires is transient and limited to the spirochetemic phase of infection. Further studies are necessary to evaluate if presence of Leptospira in testes of mice leads to excretion in semen and to venereal transmission to female mice. IMPORTANCE Analysis of venereal transmission of Leptospira is important to determine if direct animal to animal transmission occurs, which could impact measures to prevent and treat leptospirosis. The goal of this study was to determine if live Leptospira colonize mouse testes. We found that colonization of mouse testes with live Leptospira was transient and limited to the acute spirochetemic phase of infection and that transient colonization of the testes was insufficient to cause histopathological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Advait Shetty
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Suman Kundu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Frédérique Vernel-Pauillac
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR6047, INSERM U1306, Unité de Biologie et Génétique de la paroi bactérienne, Paris, France
| | - Gwendoline Ratet
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR6047, INSERM U1306, Unité de Biologie et Génétique de la paroi bactérienne, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Werts
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR6047, INSERM U1306, Unité de Biologie et Génétique de la paroi bactérienne, Paris, France
| | - Maria Gomes-Solecki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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15
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Gomes YA, dos Santos Medeiros L, Di Azevedo MIN, Loureiro AP, Loria de Melo JDS, Carvalho-Costa FA, Lilenbaum W. Identification of vaginal Leptospira in cervical-vaginal mucus of slaughtered pigs in the amazon region. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 238:106930. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.106930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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16
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Viana MP, Dêvede da Silva J, César Lima AM, Fernandes Alves FS, Pinheiro RR, Figueiredo da Costa D, Pinheiro da Silva GC, Calado LGLP, de Azevedo SS, Alves CJ. Epidemiological and geospatial characterization of goat leptospirosis in Northeast region of Brazil. Small Rumin Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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17
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Cross-sectional survey for sheep leptospirosis in the northeast region of Brazil. Prev Vet Med 2021; 197:105525. [PMID: 34749158 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Sheep farming has shown expressive growth, even in the Northeast region of Brazil, with rainfall below expectations in the last decade. This growth has been observed not only in the number of herds, but also in the number of properties involved in sheep farming. Although expressive, the production of small ruminants still presents low levels of performance, mainly due to the occurrence of diseases, which constitute an obstacle to this activity. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in sheep in Northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 3438 sheep in 190 herds from 48 municipalities, belonging to the states of Ceará, Paraíba, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe. Serological diagnosis was performed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In 76.3 % (95 % CI = 69.79-81.81) of the herds there was at least one animal seropositive for at least one of the Leptospira spp. serogroups and 14.94 % (95 %CI = 13.8-16.18) of the animals were seropositive. The state of Paraíba had the highest herd (95.7 %) and animal (26.6 %) prevalences, followed by Ceará (93.9 % and 23.7 %, respectively). The most frequent serogroups were Autumnalis (18.68 %), Australis (17.9 %) and Pyrogenes (15.18 %). There was no association between the studied variables and the herd-level prevalence of leptospirosis. High herd and animal-level seroprevalences was found for sheep leptospirosis in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil, and there is a need to implement control and prevention measures, such as quarantine, serology, vaccination and adequate treatment, in addition to the introduction of proven healthy animals, mainly in the states of Paraíba and Ceará, aiming to reduce the prevalence of disease.
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18
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Di Azevedo MIN, Lilenbaum W. An overview on the molecular diagnosis of animal leptospirosis. Lett Appl Microbiol 2021; 72:496-508. [PMID: 33332656 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The most common presentation of animal leptospirosis is the subclinical and silent chronic form, that can lead to important reproductive disorders. The diagnosis of this chronic form remains a challenge. The aim of the present study is to gather and critically analyse the current information about molecular tools applied to animal leptospirosis diagnosis, particularly the silent chronic presentation of the infection. Regarding clinical specimens, samples from urinary tract were the most used (69/102, 67·7%), while few studies (12/102, 11·8%) investigated samples from reproductive tract. Concerning the molecular methods applied, the most used is still the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (46/102, 45%), followed by real-time PCR (38/102, 37·2%). The lipL32 gene is currently the most common target used for Leptospira detection, with 48% of studies applying this genetic marker. From all the studies, only few (21/102, 20·5%) performed gene sequencing. According to the majority of authors, current evidence suggests that lipL32-PCR is useful for an initial screening for Leptospira DNA detection in animal clinical samples. Posteriorly, if DNA sequencing could be performed on positive lipL32-PCR samples, we encourage the use of secY gene as a genetic marker. The molecular methods appear as the most important tools for the diagnosis of the chronic silent leptospirosis on domestic animals, reinforcing its evident impact not only on animal reproduction but also on a One Health context.
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Affiliation(s)
- M I N Di Azevedo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - W Lilenbaum
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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19
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Soares RR, Barnabé NNDC, Nogueira DB, da Silva LSC, Júnior JPA, Malossi CD, Ullmann LS, da Costa DF, Silva MLCR, Dos Santos Higino SS, de Azevedo SS, Alves CJ. Serological, molecular and bacteriological approaches for detecting Leptospira sp. carrier rams maintained in semiarid conditions. Acta Trop 2021; 213:105759. [PMID: 33197447 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Even in the adverse environmental conditions of the semiarid region, leptospires can survive and spread by alternative routes of transmission, such as sexual in ewes, however, there is no data on rams. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the use of serological, molecular and microbial tools applied to diagnosis of Leptospira sp. Infection in rams maintained in semiarid conditions. Biological samples of urinary (urine, kidney and bladder) and genital (vas deferens, epididymis tail and vesicular gland) tracts were collected from 40 slaughtered rams for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial isolation, as well as blood samples for antibody detection through microscopic serum agglutination test (MAT). Anti-Leptospira antibodies were found in five (12.5%) animals with antibody titer of 50 and 2 (5%) for the titer 100 for serogroups Pyrogenes, Ballum, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Australis. Leptospira sp. DNA was found in PCR of organs and urine of 30 (75%) animals. Overall, 240 fragments of organs from the urinary and genital tracts and urine were evaluated, with 93 (38.7%) positive samples, being 48/120 (40%) for the urinary tract and 45/120 (37.5%) for the genital. There was no statistically significant difference between the tracts. A bladder sample was sent for sequencing and showed 99% similarity with L. interrogans. Of the 240 cultures evaluated, 59 (24.5%) had leptospire growth, being that 23 (39%) were confirmed in PCR. Considering the PCR of organs and urine and bacterial growth as gold standards, the cut-off 50 in MAT showed greater sensitivity when compared to cut-off 100, regardless of the material used. The great proportion of leptospiral DNA in organs, urine and culture and bacterial growth from the genital tracts reinforce its importance as an extra-renal site and highlights the possible role of rams in venereal transmission, as well as the sensitivity of the cut-off 50 suggested its adoption in the serology of rams maintained in semiarid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Rodrigues Soares
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Nathanel Natércio da Costa Barnabé
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Denise Batista Nogueira
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 1280, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Laís Samara Cavalcante da Silva
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos, PB 58708-110, Brazil
| | - João Pessoa Araújo Júnior
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Camila Dantas Malossi
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Leila Sabrina Ullmann
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Diego Figueiredo da Costa
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Rodovia BR 079, Km 02, Areia, PB 58397-000, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Clebert José Alves
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 1280, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil.
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20
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Nogueira DB, da Costa FTR, de Sousa Bezerra C, Soares RR, da Costa Barnabé NN, Falcão BMR, Silva MLCR, da Costa DF, Araújo JP, Malossi CD, Ullmann LS, Alves CJ, de Azevedo SS. Leptospira sp. vertical transmission in ewes maintained in semiarid conditions. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 219:106530. [PMID: 32828405 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a globally distributed disease associated with reproductive failures in livestock; however, its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Results from the present study indicate there is a presence of Leptospira sp. in organs and fluids of fetuses from ewes slaughtered in the semiarid region of Brazil. Twenty-nine fetuses from 23 ewes determined to be Leptospira sp.-positive using PCR were sampled (14 and 15 in dry and rainy seasons, respectively). Fetal samples of blood, central nervous system (CNS), lung, liver, spleen, stomach contents, peritoneal fluid, kidney, bladder, urine and reproductive system were collected. Diagnostic methods included the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial isolation. Of the 29 fetuses, 24 (82.8 %) had at least one Leptospira sp.-positive organ or fluid, as determined using PCR, and of a total of 209 samples, 62 (29.7 %) contained leptospiral DNA. Of the 99 samples collected during the dry season, 42 (42.4 %) were positive, and of 110 samples collected during the rainy season, 20 (18.2 %) were positive (P = 0.0001). There was deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing of three samples of kidney, CNS and liver, and in all of these, there was 99.3 % similarity with Leptospira interrogans. Leptospires were present in cultures of pooled samples from fetuses with deformities. Results indicate there is vertical (maternal-to-fetus) transmission which would represent an alternative transmission route for the spread of Leptospira sp. in ewes, suggesting molecular detection is essential in the investigation of leptospirosis in fetuses to identify animals that have been infected with this bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Batista Nogueira
- Transmissible Diseases Laboratory, Center of Rural Health and Technology, UFCG, Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Flávia Teresa Ribeiro da Costa
- Transmissible Diseases Laboratory, Center of Rural Health and Technology, UFCG, Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Camila de Sousa Bezerra
- Transmissible Diseases Laboratory, Center of Rural Health and Technology, UFCG, Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Soares
- Transmissible Diseases Laboratory, Center of Rural Health and Technology, UFCG, Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | - Brunna Muniz Rodrigues Falcão
- Transmissible Diseases Laboratory, Center of Rural Health and Technology, UFCG, Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | | | - João Pessoa Araújo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNESP, São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Dantas Malossi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNESP, São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leila Sabrina Ullmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNESP, São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Clebert José Alves
- Transmissible Diseases Laboratory, Center of Rural Health and Technology, UFCG, Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Transmissible Diseases Laboratory, Center of Rural Health and Technology, UFCG, Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.
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