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Maksimović Z, Babić S, Zahirović A, Rifatbegović M. Seroprevalence of leptospirosis among stray dogs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 109:102171. [PMID: 38598876 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102171] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a (re) emerging zoonosis that occurs worldwide. This study aimed to assess seroprevalence of leptospirosis and to identify the most common reactive serovars and risk factors for seropositivity in apparently healthy stray dogs of unknown vaccination status in the Sarajevo region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Positive microscopic agglutination test titres (≥ 1:25) were detected in 3.87% (156/4028) of samples and most of the sera reacted against one serovar (85.9%). Dogs were most commonly reactive to Canicola (40.4%) and Hardjo (33.3%), followed by Pomona (15.4%) Tarassovi (14.7%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (8.3%), Grippotyphosa (5.8%), Bratislava (1.3%) and Saxkoebing (0.6%). Dogs older than one year had higher odds of seropositivity compared to younger dogs. The seropositivity was higher in spring and autumn than in summer. These results advocate for the need of a control strategy for this zoonosis in the country, which should include sero-surveillance, monitoring, and the inclusion of additional serovars in the testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinka Maksimović
- Department of Pathobiology and Epidemiology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Senka Babić
- Department of Pathobiology and Epidemiology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Amir Zahirović
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Maid Rifatbegović
- Department of Pathobiology and Epidemiology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Hilbe M, Posthaus H, Paternoster G, Schuller S, Imlau M, Jahns H. Exudative glomerulonephritis associated with acute leptospirosis in dogs. Vet Pathol 2024; 61:453-461. [PMID: 37899628 PMCID: PMC11067394 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231207020] [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] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
In the past 20 years in Switzerland, dogs with suspect acute leptospirosis frequently showed severe glomerular changes that had not been previously reported. These features were characterized by abundant extravasated erythrocytes and fewer neutrophils accompanied by marked fibrin exudation into the urinary space that was interpreted as an exudative glomerulonephritis (GN). This retrospective study describes this significant glomerular pathological change and investigates the association with leptospirosis. Tissues from 50 dogs with exudative GN, retrieved from 2 pathology archives in Switzerland were reviewed using hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin, and Warthin and Starry stains. Clinical and postmortem data were collected for each case. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or polymerase chain reactions were used as confirmatory tests for leptospirosis. While all 50 cases had clinical and pathological features supporting a diagnosis of leptospirosis, 37 cases were confirmed for the disease. Using a LipL32 antibody in addition to the OMV2177 antibody raised against the lipopolysaccharide of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni increased the detection rate of Leptospira by IHC in exudative GN from 24% to 62%. Signalment, seasonality, clinical signs, blood results, and pathological changes in dogs with exudative GN were similar to those reported for dogs without GN and confirmed infection by Leptospira spp.. Exudative GN was common among Swiss dogs with leptospirosis where it caused acute severe disease. Leptospirosis should be considered as a cause of this new pathologic feature by the pathologist. The pathogenesis remains unclear, but involvement of a geographic-specific serovar with unique virulence factors is suspected and warrants further investigation.
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Guzmán DA, Diaz E, Sáenz C, Álvarez H, Cueva R, Zapata-Ríos G, Prado-Vivar B, Falconí M, Pearson T, Barragan V. Domestic dogs in indigenous Amazonian communities: Key players in Leptospira cycling and transmission? PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011671. [PMID: 38568912 PMCID: PMC10990217 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis is the world's most common zoonotic disease. Mitigation and control rely on pathogen identification and understanding the roles of potential reservoirs in cycling and transmission. Underreporting and misdiagnosis obscure the magnitude of the problem and confound efforts to understand key epidemiological components. Difficulties in culturing hamper the use of serological diagnostics and delay the development of DNA detection methods. As a result, especially in complex ecosystems, we know very little about the importance of different mammalian host species in cycling and transmission to humans. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We sampled dogs from five indigenous Kichwa communities living in the Yasuní National Park in the Ecuadorian Amazon basin. Blood and urine samples from domestic dogs were collected to assess the exposure of these animals to Leptospira and to identify the circulating species. Microscopic Agglutination Tests with a panel of 22 different serovars showed anti-leptospira antibodies in 36 sampled dogs (75%), and 7 serogroups were detected. Two DNA-based detection assays revealed pathogenic Leptospira DNA in 18 of 19 dog urine samples (94.7%). Amplicon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and SecY genes from 15 urine samples revealed genetic diversity within two of three different Leptospira species: noguchii (n = 7), santarosai (n = 7), and interrogans (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The high prevalence of antibodies and Leptospira DNA provides strong evidence for high rates of past and current infections. Such high prevalence has not been previously reported for dogs. These dogs live in the peridomestic environment in close contact with humans, yet they are free-ranging animals that interact with wildlife. This complex web of interactions may explain the diverse types of pathogenic Leptospira observed in this study. Our results suggest that domestic dogs are likely to play an important role in the cycling and transmission of Leptospira. Future studies in areas with complex ecoepidemiology will enable better parsing of the significance of genotypic, environmental, and host characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A. Guzmán
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Eduardo Diaz
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Carolina Sáenz
- Hospital de Fauna Silvestre TUERI, Instituto de Biodiversidad Tropical IBIOTROP, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Hernán Álvarez
- Wildlife Conservation Society–Ecuador Program, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Rubén Cueva
- Wildlife Conservation Society–Ecuador Program, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Belén Prado-Vivar
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Mercy Falconí
- Agencia de Regulación y Control Fito y Zoosanitario-Agrocalidad, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Talima Pearson
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Veronica Barragan
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
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Guzmán DA, Diaz E, Sáenz C, Álvarez H, Cueva R, Zapata-Ríos G, Prado-Vivar B, Falconí M, Pearson T, Barragán V. Domestic dogs in indigenous Amazonian communities: key players in Leptospira cycling and transmission? BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.19.558554. [PMID: 37786682 PMCID: PMC10541607 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.19.558554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis is the world's most common zoonotic disease. Mitigation and control rely on pathogen identification and understanding the roles of potential reservoirs in cycling and transmission. Underreporting and misdiagnosis obscure the magnitude of the problem and confound efforts to understand key epidemiological components. Difficulties in culturing hamper the use of serological diagnostics and delay the development of DNA detection methods. As a result, especially in complex ecosystems, we know very little about the importance of different mammalian host species in cycling and transmission to humans. Methodology/Principal Findings We sampled five indigenous Kichwa communities living in the Yasuní National Park in the Ecuadorian Amazon basin. Blood and urine samples from domestic dogs were collected to assess the exposure of these animals to Leptospira, and to identify the circulating species. Microscopic Agglutination Tests with a panel of 22 different serovars showed anti-leptospira antibodies in 36 sampled dogs (75%), and 10 serotypes were detected. Two DNA-based detection assays revealed pathogenic Leptospira DNA in 18 of 19 dog urine samples (94.7%). Amplicon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 16s rDNA and SecY genes from 15 urine samples revealed genetic diversity within two of three different Leptospira species: noguchii (n=7), santarosai (n=7), and interrogans (n=1). Conclusions/Significance The high prevalence of antibodies and Leptospira DNA provides strong evidence for high rates of past and current infections. Such high prevalence has not been previously reported for dogs. These dogs live in the peridomestic environment in close contact with humans, yet they are free-ranging animals that interact with wildlife. This complex web of interactions may explain the diverse types of pathogenic Leptospira observed in this study. Our results suggest that domestic dogs are likely to play an important role in the cycling and transmission of Leptospira. Future studies in areas with complex ecoepidemiology will enable better parsing of the significance of genotypic, environmental, and host characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A. Guzmán
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Eduardo Diaz
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Carolina Sáenz
- Hospital de Fauna Silvestre TUERI, Instituto de Biodiversidad Tropical IBIOTROP, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Hernán Álvarez
- Wildlife Conservation Society – Ecuador Program, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Rubén Cueva
- Wildlife Conservation Society – Ecuador Program, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Belén Prado-Vivar
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Mercy Falconí
- Agencia de Regulación y Control Fito y Zoosanitario – Agrocalidad, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Talima Pearson
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Verónica Barragán
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
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Grippi F, Blanda V, Galluzzo P, Bongiorno M, Sciacca C, Arcuri F, D’Agostino R, Giacchino I, Gucciardi F, D’Incau M, Bertasio C, Torina A, Guercio A. A Canine Leptospirosis Clinical Case Due to Leptospira interrogans (Serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae) in a Dog Kennel in Castelvetrano (Western Sicily, South Italy). Vet Sci 2023; 10:508. [PMID: 37624294 PMCID: PMC10458989 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10080508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide widespread zoonosis caused by Leptospira genus. We report an acute leptospirosis case in a puppy housed at a municipal kennel and the subsequent diagnostic investigations carried out on all dogs housed in the kennel. Laboratory investigation included mainly a microagglutination test, real-time PCR, and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) for Leptospira genus. Other agents of infection were excluded. The puppy resulted positive for Leptospira interrogans Icterohaemorrhagiae both with serological and molecular assays. All of the other 66 dogs in the kennel underwent clinical and laboratory investigations twice, 15 days apart. No other dog showed leptospirosis clinical signs. At the first sampling, eight dogs (12%) showed antibodies against Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorragiae serovar Copenhageni. Real-time PCR on urine samples of seropositive dogs detected Leptospira spp. DNA in one sample, then identified as Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorragiae by MLST. Fifteen days after, four of the previous seropositive dogs still showed antibodies against Leptospira spp. All urine samples collected from seropositive dogs were negative at real-time PCR. The study allowed the early confirmation of a Leptospirosis case and the identification of at least one asymptomatic carrier of pathogenic Leptospira spp. The prompt activation of all appropriate management measures allowed limiting and extinguishing the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Grippi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (C.S.); (F.A.); (R.D.); (I.G.); (F.G.); (A.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Valeria Blanda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (C.S.); (F.A.); (R.D.); (I.G.); (F.G.); (A.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Paola Galluzzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (C.S.); (F.A.); (R.D.); (I.G.); (F.G.); (A.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Manuel Bongiorno
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione Veterinaria-Area di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Unità Operativa Territoriale Alcamo Castelvetrano, Via Sardegna, 91022 Castelvetrano, Italy;
| | - Carmela Sciacca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (C.S.); (F.A.); (R.D.); (I.G.); (F.G.); (A.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Francesca Arcuri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (C.S.); (F.A.); (R.D.); (I.G.); (F.G.); (A.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Rosalia D’Agostino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (C.S.); (F.A.); (R.D.); (I.G.); (F.G.); (A.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Ilenia Giacchino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (C.S.); (F.A.); (R.D.); (I.G.); (F.G.); (A.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Francesca Gucciardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (C.S.); (F.A.); (R.D.); (I.G.); (F.G.); (A.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Mario D’Incau
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.D.); (C.B.)
| | - Cristina Bertasio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.D.); (C.B.)
| | - Alessandra Torina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (C.S.); (F.A.); (R.D.); (I.G.); (F.G.); (A.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (C.S.); (F.A.); (R.D.); (I.G.); (F.G.); (A.T.); (A.G.)
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Strutzberg-Minder K, Ullerich A, Dohmann K, Boehmer J, Goris M. Comparison of Two Leptospira Type Strains of Serovar Grippotyphosa in Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) Diagnostics for the Detection of Infections with Leptospires in Horses, Dogs and Pigs. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9090464. [PMID: 36136680 PMCID: PMC9503138 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9090464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Leptospires are bacteria of major health concern as they can cause severe systemic diseases in humans and animals alike. In routine diagnostics, the detection of a leptospirosis heavily relies on the analysis of specific antibodies that were generated by the immune system of an infected species. The most widely used test for the detection of such antibodies is the microscopic agglutination test which itself depends on defined types of laboratory grown Leptospires, so-called serovars. A good judgment of the behaviour of these serovars is vital for interpreting test results and clearly defining what type of Leptospires the patient is infected with as this may have implications for therapy and prognosis. In the following, a study on the reaction pattern of a certain type of serovars named ‘Grippotyphosa’ that itself can be divided into two differently reacting subtypes was conducted. It turned out that, depending on the animal species sampled, a differing reaction patterns to the two Grippotyphosa subtypes in the diagnostic test reflected different distribution of these subtypes in the respective populations. In the future, these insights will further improve test performance and assessment or results. Abstract The MAT test is of great importance in the diagnosis of leptospiral infections. Based on various differences, the serovar Grippotyphosa has been divided into two types, Moskva V and Duyster. Differences or similarities of the two type strains in the context of leptospiral diagnostics have not yet been elucidated in more detail; therefore both strains were analysed in MAT diagnostics for the detection of leptospiral infections in pigs, dogs and horses. Serum samples from 2996 pigs, 55 dogs and 35 horses, as well as vitreous and/or aqueous fluid samples from these and 13 additional horses were analysed by MAT; available supplementary samples were tested for leptospires by PCR. In pigs, 92.6% of the samples with both strains received an identical titre result in the MAT test, whereas in dogs and horses only 53.0% and 43.6% had concordant results. Since infections with the serovar Grippotyphosa occur more frequently in dogs and horses overall, more differences were observed here. In the case of discrepant serological results, supplementary samples and PCR examinations were not able to add information on the true status. Further analyses of follow-up studies or at least serum pairs from dogs and horses infected with the serovar Grippotyphosa are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Strutzberg-Minder
- IVD Innovative Veterinary Diagnostics (IVD GmbH), 30926 Seelze, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)511-22002910
| | - Astrid Ullerich
- IVD Innovative Veterinary Diagnostics (IVD GmbH), 30926 Seelze, Germany
| | - Karen Dohmann
- IVD Innovative Veterinary Diagnostics (IVD GmbH), 30926 Seelze, Germany
| | - Jan Boehmer
- IVD Innovative Veterinary Diagnostics (IVD GmbH), 30926 Seelze, Germany
| | - Marga Goris
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Taylor C, O'Neill DG, Catchpole B, Brodbelt DC. Leptospirosis vaccination in dogs attending UK primary care practices: vaccine uptake and factors associated with administration. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:285. [PMID: 35864518 PMCID: PMC9303131 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03382-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that is found globally and affects most mammalian species. Vaccination of dogs against leptospirosis is an important approach to preventing clinical disease, or reducing disease severity, as well as reducing transmission of the infection to humans. Although it is generally considered to be a ‘core’ vaccine, there is limited information on the level of leptospirosis vaccine usage and factors associated with its usage in dogs in the UK. The study aimed to report the uptake of leptospirosis vaccination and factors associated with its usage in a cohort of dogs under primary veterinary care during a 12-month period. Results From a population of 905,543 dogs, 49% (95%CI 48.9–49.1%) had at least one leptospirosis vaccine administered during the 12 months of study. Adult dogs had reduced odds of receiving a leptospirosis vaccine when compared to dogs < 1 year old, with dogs > 8 years old having a greater than ten-fold reduction in odds (OR = 0.08, 95%CI 0.07–0.09). Odds of receiving a leptospirosis vaccine was increased in insured dogs when compared to uninsured dogs (OR = 1.22, 95%CI = 1.17–1.28). Neutered dogs had reduced odds of receiving a leptospirosis vaccine (OR = 0.87, 95%CI 0.83–0.91). Breed associations with receiving a leptospirosis vaccine varied. Several breeds were associated with increased odds of receiving a leptospirosis vaccine when compared to crossbreed dogs, including Border Terriers (OR = 1.49, 95%CI 1.42–1.57), Golden Retrievers (OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.24–1.37), Cocker Spaniels (OR = 1.27, 95%CI 1.23–1.31) and West Highland White Terriers (OR = 1.27, 95%CI 1.22–1.31). French Bulldogs (OR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.62–0.67), Staffordshire Bull Terriers (OR = 0.79, 95%CI 0.78–0.82) and Pugs (OR = 0.91, 95%CI =0.88–0.95) had significantly reduced odds of receiving a leptospirosis vaccination during the study. Conclusion This work identified that almost half of the UK primary care attending population received a leptospirosis vaccine during the year. Several demographic variables were associated with leptospirosis vaccine administration, with age being particularly important. Both the proportion of uptake and factors associated with leptospirosis vaccine usage can be used as a benchmark for comparisons in the future. Additionally, an understanding of which populations have reduced odds of receiving a leptospirosis vaccine can potentially be used for initiatives to encourage owner vaccination uptake in these groups. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-022-03382-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collette Taylor
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK.
| | - Dan G O'Neill
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK
| | - Brian Catchpole
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK
| | - Dave C Brodbelt
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK
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Sant’Anna da Costa R, Di Azevedo MIN, dos Santos Baptista Borges AL, Aymée L, Martins G, Lilenbaum W. Effect of Vaccination against Leptospira on Shelter Asymptomatic Dogs Following a Long-Term Study. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141788. [PMID: 35883334 PMCID: PMC9311912 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Vaccination of dogs against leptospirosis is of paramount importance, as they ideally must provide not only long-term protection, but also against the renal carrier state of leptospires. This study assessed the post-vaccine humoral response against Leptospira in naturally exposed dogs and effects on renal carrier status. (2) Methods: A total of 118 dogs were studied for 365 days, separated into Group A (vaccinated, n = 94) and Group B (non-vaccinated, n = 24). Group A was subdivided into three groups: A1 with 32 dogs immunized with the vaccine #1; A2 by 32 dogs with #2; and A3 30 dogs with #3. Serology (MAT and IgG-ELISA) and urinary PCR were conducted. (3) Results: Seroreactivity increased at D15 post-vaccination and, regardless of vaccine brand, remained high up to D180, with antibody switch to IgG after D30. A total of 46.8% of animals from Group A were PCR-positive at least once, in contrast to 75% in Group B, regardless of vaccine brand (p < 0.05; OR: 0.3). (4) Conclusions: All commercial vaccines succeeded at eliciting a long-term IgG-based response and were partially effective at protecting against kidney infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Sant’Anna da Costa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24210-130, Brazil; (R.S.d.C.); (M.I.N.D.A.); (A.L.d.S.B.B.); (L.A.)
| | - Maria Isabel N. Di Azevedo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24210-130, Brazil; (R.S.d.C.); (M.I.N.D.A.); (A.L.d.S.B.B.); (L.A.)
| | - Ana Luiza dos Santos Baptista Borges
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24210-130, Brazil; (R.S.d.C.); (M.I.N.D.A.); (A.L.d.S.B.B.); (L.A.)
| | - Luíza Aymée
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24210-130, Brazil; (R.S.d.C.); (M.I.N.D.A.); (A.L.d.S.B.B.); (L.A.)
| | - Gabriel Martins
- Centro Universitário Arthur Sá Earp Neto, Petrópolis 25680-120, Brazil;
| | - Walter Lilenbaum
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24210-130, Brazil; (R.S.d.C.); (M.I.N.D.A.); (A.L.d.S.B.B.); (L.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-26292435
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Dung LP, Hai PT, Hoa LM, Mai TNP, Hanh NTM, Than PD, Tran VD, Quyet NT, Hai H, Ngoc DB, Thu NT, Mai LTP. A case-control study of agricultural and behavioral factors associated with leptospirosis in Vietnam. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:583. [PMID: 35768761 PMCID: PMC9245206 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07561-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Leptospirosis is a neglected disease in Vietnam. Until now, there has been limited knowledge about risk factors of this disease in Vietnam. The study was carried out to identify agricultural and behavioral factors associated with the transmission of leptospirosis in Vietnam. Methods This matched retrospective hospital-community-based case–control study was conducted from 1 October 2018 to 31 October 2019. We recruited cases from 11 selected government hospitals in three provinces of Vietnam, while controls were selected from the same communes of cases and matched by age (± 2 years) and sex. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to determine confirmed cases, while only MAT was used to identify controls with a single high MAT titer < 1:100. Results 504 participants (252 cases and 252 controls) were identified. Cultivating (OR 2.83, CI 1.38–5.79), animal farming (OR 8.26, CI 2.24–30.52), pig owners (OR 10.48, CI 5.05–21.73), cat owners (OR 2.62, CI 1.49–4.61) and drinking unboiled water (OR 1.72, CI 1.14 –2.59, p = 0.010) were significantly associated with human leptospirosis in Vietnam. Hand washing after farming/ gardening (OR 0.57, CI 0.38–0.86, p = 0.007) and bathing after farming, gardening, contact with cattle and poultry (OR 0.33, CI 0.19–0.58, p = 0.000) were determined as protective factors for this disease. Conclusions In short, the case–control study has revealed the risks in agricultural and animal practices and protective behavioral factors related to human leptospirosis in Vietnam. The findings suggested promotion of communication and health education programs targeting health behaviors in daily life and agricultural practices. Using personal protective equipment such as gowns, gloves, and boots during agricultural practices, especially cultivating and animal farming, is most recommended. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07561-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luu Phuong Dung
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Pham Thanh Hai
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Luong Minh Hoa
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tran Ngoc Phuong Mai
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thi My Hanh
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Phan Dang Than
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Van Dinh Tran
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Tu Quyet
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Hai
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Do Bich Ngoc
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thị Thu
- Hanoi Population and Family Planning Branch, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Le Thi Phuong Mai
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam.
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Isolation of Leptospira interrogans Serovar Canicola in a Vaccinated Dog without Clinical Symptoms. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040406. [PMID: 35456081 PMCID: PMC9028210 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
More than one million cases of leptospirosis occur across the globe annually, resulting in about 59,000 deaths. Dogs are one of the most important reservoirs of Leptospira species and play an important role in transmitting the pathogen to humans. Many of these infections are controlled by routine vaccination that has reduced the possible reintroduction of leptospiral serovars into the human population. However, it is still not clear how a vaccinated dog can become infected with one or more Leptospira serovars contained in the vaccine formulation and thus against which it should be immunized. Here, we present the case of an asymptomatic dog who developed leptospiral infection despite being vaccinated. This unusual case emphasizes the substantial impact of immunization on mitigating the acute signs of the disease, even while providing limited protection against infection. Further studies will be required to better understand the role of dogs in the environmental circulation of leptospiral serovars in Sardinia. Asymptomatic leptospiral infection in vaccinated dogs should be considered to allow for better diagnosis and management of the infection. This will be essential for preventing Leptospira outbreaks in the future.
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11
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Are Small Animal Practitioners Occupationally Exposed to Leptospirosis? Results of a Serological Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031797. [PMID: 35162820 PMCID: PMC8835096 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis frequently responsible for clinical disease in dogs and rarely reported in human people. The risk of human exposure to Leptospira has been investigated in a sample population working in the northeast of Italy, a geographical area with high endemicity of canine leptospirosis. Two-hundred twenty-one human serum samples were analyzed for Leptospira microagglutination test (MAT): 112 clinical freelance small animal practitioners (exposed subjects) and 109 people not occupationally exposed to Leptospira-infected animals (unexposed subjects) were voluntarily enrolled. Despite the previously reported serological detection of antibodies vs. Leptospira in people in different Italian regions, this study did not detect any reactivity in the investigated population. This study shows that veterinarians do not appear to be at a greater risk of leptospirosis than the reference population. This may be due to both veterinarian awareness of the Leptospira zoonotic risk and the efficiency of the preventive measures and management of patients. Moreover, it could be the result of the relatively low excretion of Leptospira in symptomatic dogs, which can be considered as an environmental sentinel for Leptospira presence rather than a vehicle of transmission.
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12
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A serological survey of canine leptospirosis in the city of Belgrade, Serbia. VETERINARSKI GLASNIK 2022. [DOI: 10.2298/vetgl210708001v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by bacteria belonging to the genus
Leptospira. Dogs are one of the animal species involved in the cycle of
preservation and transmission of leptospirosis in urban areas. Serological
testing for the presence of specific antibodies against Leptospira spp. in
dogs was continuously performed between 2010 and 2020 in the city of
Belgrade. At the request of the owners themselves, other veterinary
laboratories or laboratory clinics, 179 blood sera from 179 dogs were
examined in the Laboratory for Immunology, Scientific Institute of
Veterinary Medicine of Serbia. Blood sera samples from dogs were examined
using the standard microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for the presence of
specific antibodies against seven different serovars of Leptospira: Pomona,
Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa, Sejroe, Canicola, Bataviae, and
Australis. The number of seropositive dogs was 17/179 (9.5%). Among all
examined sera, the highest titre of seropositive samples was to serovar
Icterohaemorrhagiae (10/17, 58.8%), followed by Pomona (4/17, 23.5%), and
serovar Canicola (3/17, 17.6%). Specific antibodies for serovars
Grippotyphosa, Sejroe, Bataviae and Australis were not detected in any of
the dog sera. Cross-reaction (the presence of two or three titres with
different values where one of them was higher than others) between different
serovars was diagnosed in a low number of sera (n=4), with the following
serovars: Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pomona (n=3) and Pomona and Canicola
(n=1). The confirmed specific antibody titres for Leptospira spp. were
between 1:100 to 1:3000 (5 sera had titres of 1:100, 7 had titres of 1:300,
4 had titres of 1:1000, and 1 serum had a titre 1:3000). Monitoring canine
leptospirosis is a useful tool in preventing leptospirosis in Belgrade.
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Piredda I, Bertoldi L, Benvenuto G, Palmas B, Pedditzi A, Pintore P, Chisu V. First Isolation and Molecular Typing of Pathogenic and Intermediate Leptospira Species from Urine of Symptomatic Dogs. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8120304. [PMID: 34941830 PMCID: PMC8706502 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8120304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim of this study was to evaluate, the presence and diversity of Leptospira spp. in blood and urine samples collected from 175 owned-dogs from Sardinia, Italy. After determination of leptospiral infection by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), urine from MAT-positive dogs were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (lipL32 rt-PCR) and then isolated by culture. In order to characterize obtained serovars, positive cultures were then subjected to 16S rRNA and secY sequencing, phylogenetic analysis and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST). Results showed that seven dogs (4%; 95% CI: 0-55) had Leptospira DNAs in their urine and five strains were isolated from urine cultures. The three different sequence types (ST17, ST198 and ST24) belonging to Leptospira interrogans genomospecies identified by MLST analyses in this study, confirmed that the leptospiral infection was widespread in Sardinian dogs. We also reported the first characterization of a new Leptospira spp. isolated from urine of one dog living in the study area. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, confirmed that this genospecies was closely related to Leptospira hovindhougenii, an intermediate Leptospira spp. with unknown pathogenicity previously isolated from a rat in Denmark. Further studies are required to clarify whether healthy dogs that shed leptospires in their urine could represent a zoonotic risk for humans in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Piredda
- Laboratory of Seroimmunology, Animal Health Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (B.P.); (A.P.); (P.P.); (V.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0792892329
| | - Loris Bertoldi
- BMR Genomics s.r.l., 35131 Padova, Italy; (L.B.); (G.B.)
| | | | - Bruna Palmas
- Laboratory of Seroimmunology, Animal Health Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (B.P.); (A.P.); (P.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Aureliana Pedditzi
- Laboratory of Seroimmunology, Animal Health Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (B.P.); (A.P.); (P.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Pierangela Pintore
- Laboratory of Seroimmunology, Animal Health Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (B.P.); (A.P.); (P.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Valentina Chisu
- Laboratory of Seroimmunology, Animal Health Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (B.P.); (A.P.); (P.P.); (V.C.)
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Taylor C, O'Neill DG, Catchpole B, Brodbelt DC. Incidence and demographic risk factors for leptospirosis in dogs in the UK. Vet Rec 2021; 190:e512. [PMID: 34057217 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate the annual incidence risk of leptospirosis diagnosis in practice-attending dogs in the UK during 2016 and identify risk factors for diagnosis. METHODS Incidence of leptospirosis diagnosis in dogs during 2016 was estimated from dogs in primary-care practices from the VetCompass Programme (n = 905,543). A case-control study of laboratory cases (n = 362) versus VetCompass controls explored factors (age, sex, neutering, breed, Kennel Club group, urban-rural location, indices of deprivation) associated with leptospirosis diagnosis through multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Annual incidence risk of leptospirosis in the VetCompass population was 0.8 cases per 100,000 dogs (0.0008%, 95% CI 9.1 × 10-8 -5.2 × 10-5 ). Adult dogs, especially 1- < 5 years olds (odds ratio [OR] = 0.38, 95% CI 0.27-0.54), and dogs attending urban clinics (OR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.19-0.35) had reduced odds of leptospirosis versus dogs < 1 year old and rural dogs, respectively. Dogs attending clinics in less deprived areas had increased odds of diagnosis (OR = 3.63, 95% CI 2.28-5.78) compared to crossbreds, Cocker Spaniels (OR = 4.25, 95% CI 2.65-6.84), Collies (OR = 3.53, 95% CI 2.22-5.62) and Lurchers (OR = 3.49, 95% CI 1.50-8.11) had increased odds of diagnosis. DISCUSSION Leptospirosis is rarely diagnosed in clinical practice, suggesting that many true cases may be missed. Demographic risk factors identified here may inform the index of suspicion and encourage increased use of confirmatory diagnostic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collette Taylor
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts, UK
| | - Dan G O'Neill
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts, UK
| | - Brian Catchpole
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts, UK
| | - Dave C Brodbelt
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts, UK
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15
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Iverson SA, Levy C, Yaglom HD, Venkat HL, Artus A, Galloway R, Guagliardo SAJ, Reynolds L, Kretschmer MJ, LaFerla Jenni ME, Woodward P, Reindel AA, Tarrant S, Sylvester T, Klein R, Mundschenk P, Sunenshine R, Schafer IJ. Clinical, diagnostic, and epidemiological features of a community-wide outbreak of canine leptospirosis in a low-prevalence region (Maricopa County, Arizona). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021; 258:616-629. [PMID: 33683958 DOI: 10.2460/javma.258.6.616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe clinical, diagnostic, and epidemiological features of an outbreak of leptospirosis in dogs in Maricopa County, Ariz, from January 2016 through June 2017. ANIMALS 71 case and 281 control dogs. PROCEDURES Cases were classified as confirmed, probable, suspect, or not a case on the basis of medical record data that fulfilled clinical, diagnostic, and epidemiological criteria. Potential exposures were assessed by owner survey. For the case-control investigation, control dogs were recruited through owner completion of a July 2017 survey. Summary statistics and ORs for case dog lifestyle factors were reported. RESULTS 54 dogs were classified as confirmed and 17 as probable cases. For 4 dogs of a household cluster (5 confirmed and 3 probable), the highest microscopic agglutination titer was for serovar Djasiman (Leptospira kirschneri detected by PCR assay), and for 13 dogs of a community outbreak (49 confirmed and 14 probable cases), the highest titer was for serovar Canicola (Leptospira interrogans detected by PCR assay). The 44 case dogs included in the case-control investigation were 7.7 (95% CI, 3.5 to 16.7) and 2.9 times (95% CI, 1.3 to 6.6) as likely as control dogs to have visited dog daycare or to have been kenneled overnight at a boarding facility, respectively, 30 days prior to the onset of clinical signs or diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Diagnostic and epidemiological findings indicated 2 outbreaks. Transmission where dogs congregated likely propagated the community outbreak. Outbreaks of leptospiral infections can occur in regions of low prevalence, and a dog's exposure to areas where dogs congregate should be considered when making Leptospira vaccination recommendations.
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Persistent High Leptospiral Shedding by Asymptomatic Dogs in Endemic Areas Triggers a Serious Public Health Concern. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11040937. [PMID: 33810226 PMCID: PMC8065945 DOI: 10.3390/ani11040937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Dogs are known as hosts of Leptospira interrogans and can spread this bacterium to the environment. Although Canicola is responsible for determining chronic disease in dogs, when affected by incidental serogroups such as Icterohaemorrhagiae, acute disease may occur with a predominance of clinical signs with hepatic and renal lesions. In endemic areas, it is a serious public health problem, as dogs can become asymptomatic carriers of leptospires in the urine, characterizing a risk in the context of zoonotic leptospirosis. Thus, this study aims to estimate the incidence and duration of the elimination of leptospires in the urine of dogs, taking another step from a previous study of our group, by a longitudinal, long-term and molecular approach. A total of 125 dogs without signs of leptospirosis were included in the study. Of the 125 dogs, 62 were PCR-positive (48.8% (95% CI, 47.9–49.7%)) throughout the study. Most dogs were shedding the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup in urine, which was unexpected, since the animals remained clinically asymptomatic during the study. Although the fact that asymptomatic dogs eliminate leptospires is not new, the extent of this fact and that the strain is virulent is impressive, with an impact on public health that cannot be overlooked. Abstract (1) Background: Dogs are known as hosts of Leptospira interrogans and can spread this bacterium to the environment. Although Canicola is responsible for determining chronic disease in dogs, when affected by incidental serogroups such as Icterohaemorrhagiae, acute disease may occur with a predominance of clinical signs with hepatic and renal changes. In endemic areas, it is a serious public health problem. Thus, this study aims to estimate the incidence and duration of elimination of leptospires in the urine of dogs, taking another step from a previous study of our group, by a longitudinal, long-term and molecular approach. (2) Methods: A total of 125 dogs without apparent symptoms of leptospirosis were included in the study. The dogs were all PCR-negative and seronegative at the beginning of the study. Blood samples were collected for hematological examinations and urine for amplification of the lipL32 gene by PCR at five different time points during one year. (3) Results: Out of the 125 dogs, 62 became lipL32 PCR-positive (48.8% (95% CI, 47.9–49.7%)) at some point during the study, distributed as follows: at day 0, all negative; day 90, 18/125 (14.4% (95% CI, 13.5–15.3%)); day 180, 18/125 (14.4% (95% CI, 13.5–15.3%)); day 270, 12/125 (9.6% (95% CI, 8.7–10.5%)); and day 365, 14/125 (11.2% (95% CI, 10.3–12.1%)). Out of the 62 amplicons, 22 were sequenced, targeting a short region of secY gene. Of these, 20 (90.9%) were identical to the L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, while two (9.1%) were Leptospira noguchii. (4) Conclusions: The fact that the leptospires of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup were characterized was unexpected, since the animals remained clinically asymptomatic during the study. The fact that asymptomatic dogs shed leptospires is not new, but the extent of this fact and the characterized strain is impressive, with an impact on public health that cannot be overlooked.
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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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Marami LM, Gebremedhin EZ, Sarba EJ, Tola GK, Endalew SS, Melkamsew AT, Di Marco Lo Presti V, Vitale M. Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Canine Leptospira and Brucella Species Infection in West Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia. VETERINARY MEDICINE-RESEARCH AND REPORTS 2021; 12:33-42. [PMID: 33665154 PMCID: PMC7924131 DOI: 10.2147/vmrr.s297155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Canine leptospirosis and brucellosis are significant zoonotic gram-negative bacterial diseases that affect humans and animal species. This study was aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and assess associated risk factors of canine Leptospira and Brucella species infections in Ambo, Bako, and Gojo Towns, West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Methods A total of 385 serum samples were collected from randomly selected dogs. Antibodies against Brucella and Leptospira species infection were tested using the Enzyme-Linked immunosorbent Assay technique (ELISA). A structured questionnaire survey was administered to each dog-owning household to gather information on potential risk factors. The association between independent and outcome variables was analyzed using the Chi-square test followed by univariable, and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results The overall seroprevalence of Brucella and Leptospira species infections were found to be 15.06% (95% confidence interval (ci): 11.64–19.04%) and 4.16% (95% ci: 2.39–6.67%), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the town was the significant risk factor of Brucella species infection seropositivity. Accordingly, dogs found in Gojo ((odds ratio (OR)): 17.72 CI: 1.17–117.54, p=0.036) and Bako (OR: 7.99, 95% CI: 0.96–66.37), p=0.054 towns were more at risk to be infected with Brucella species than dogs living in Ambo. Conclusion The seroprevalence of Leptospira and Brucella species infections in dogs of the West Shewa Zone was high and moderate, respectively, suggesting the possible transmission of the disease between dogs and other animals. These infections might be an under-recognized threat to public health and animal welfare. Further research on the identification of the serovars of Leptospira and biotypes of Brucella circulating in dogs is encouraged. Finally, knowledge of the comprehensive epidemiology of these diseases is an invaluable input for veterinarians, healthcare professionals, and policy-makers to avoid or manage canine leptospirosis and brucellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lencho Megersa Marami
- Ambo University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Department of Veterinary Laboratory Technology, Ambo, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | - Endrias Zewdu Gebremedhin
- Ambo University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ambo, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | - Edilu Jorga Sarba
- Ambo University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ambo, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Kebebew Tola
- Ambo University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ambo, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | - Solomon Shiferaw Endalew
- Ambo University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Department of Veterinary Laboratory Technology, Ambo, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | - Asamenew Tesfaye Melkamsew
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Department of Immunology, Sebeta, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | | | - Maria Vitale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sicily, Laboratory of Genetics of Microorganisms, Palermo, Italy
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Benitez ADN, Monica TC, Miura AC, Romanelli MS, Giordano LGP, Freire RL, Mitsuka-Breganó R, Martins CM, Biondo AW, Serrano IM, Lopes THCR, Reis RB, Gomes JF, Costa F, Wunder E, Ko AI, Navarro IT. Spatial and Simultaneous Seroprevalence of Anti- Leptospira Antibodies in Owners and Their Domiciled Dogs in a Major City of Southern Brazil. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:580400. [PMID: 33490126 PMCID: PMC7820180 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.580400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although leptospirosis has been considered a major concern in urban areas, no study to date has spatially and simultaneously compared both owner and dog serology in households of major cities. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to assess the seroprevalence of Leptospira antibodies, evaluate associated risk factors and conduct spatial analyses in 565 randomly selected households, which included 597 dog owners and 729 dogs in Londrina, Southern Brazil. Seropositivity by MAT were detected in in 11/597 (1.84%) owners and in 155/729 (21.26%) dogs. The risk factors were evaluated with logistic regression analysis and spatial factors and case distribution were evaluated with kernel density analyses. The sera of 14/155 (9.03%) dogs reacted for more than one serovar with the same titer. Canicola was the most frequent serogroup, detected in 3/11 (27.27%) owners and 76/155 (49.03%) dogs. The highest titer among the owners was 1:3,200 and was detected in the same household with a titer of 1:800 in the dog. Simultaneous owner-dog seropositivity was found in 7/565 (1.23%) households, with three reacted against serogroup Canicola. Positive owners were detected in 4/565 (0.70%) households and positive dogs were detected in 141/565 (24.95%) households. The associated risks of infection for dogs were different from those associated with infection in owners. Risk analyses for Canicola also identified specific factors of infection. Regardless of owner and dog cases were not statistically clustered, the kernel map has shown dog positivity occurrence in the same hot locations and near positive owners. The dependent variable analysis and logit model suggested a greater likelihood of peri-domiciliary contact with Leptospira. In conclusion, exposure to Leptospira infection was significantly higher in dogs than in their owners and human cases spatially overlapped dog cases, implicating dogs as potential environmental sentinels for this disease. In addition, the associated risk may vary according to serogroup, and the observed simultaneous Canicola seropositivity of owner and dog has suggested intradomicile-transmitted infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thais Cabral Monica
- Laboratory of Zoonoses and Public Health, Londrina State University, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Miura
- Laboratory of Zoonoses and Public Health, Londrina State University, Londrina, Brazil
| | | | | | - Roberta Lemos Freire
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina State University, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Regina Mitsuka-Breganó
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina State University, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Camila Marinelli Martins
- Department of Nursing and Public Health, Ponta Grossa State University, Ponta Grossa, Brazil.,AAC&T, Consultoria em Pesquisa Ltda, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil.,Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | | | | | | | - Jancarlo Ferreira Gomes
- School of Medical Sciences and Institute of Computing, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Federico Costa
- Fiocruz, Gonçalo Moniz Research Institute, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil.,Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Elsio Wunder
- Fiocruz, Gonçalo Moniz Research Institute, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil.,Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Albert Icksang Ko
- Fiocruz, Gonçalo Moniz Research Institute, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil.,Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
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Rohilla P, Khurana R, Kumar A, Batra K, Gupta R. Detection of Leptospira in urine of apparently healthy dogs by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in Haryana, India. Vet World 2020; 13:2411-2415. [PMID: 33363334 PMCID: PMC7750226 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.2411-2415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The organism can spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. The study was undertaken to detect the pathogenic Leptospira in healthy dogs’ urinary shedding by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Materials and Methods: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. To detect the pathogenic Leptospira organisms in dogs’ urinary shedding, 239 urine samples were collected from healthy dogs from April 2018 to March 2019 from different areas of Haryana. All the urine samples were processed for DNA extraction and qPCR technique was used to detect the presence of Leptospira. Results: Out of 239 urine samples of dogs, none of the samples resulted in the detection of DNA of pathogenic Leptospira organisms. Conclusion: The present study indicated low risk of transmission of Leptospira organisms from dogs’ urine to human beings in Haryana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Rohilla
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Rajesh Khurana
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Aman Kumar
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Kanisht Batra
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Renu Gupta
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
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Francey T, Schweighauser A, Reber A, Schuller S. Evaluation of changes in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in dogs after introduction of a quadrivalent antileptospiral vaccine in a highly endemic area. J Vet Intern Med 2020; 34:2405-2417. [PMID: 33103800 PMCID: PMC7694862 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since 2003, a marked increase in leptospirosis serogroup Australis has been observed in dogs in Switzerland. In 2013, a new quadrivalent antileptospiral vaccine (L4) was introduced, adding serogroups Australis and Grippotyphosa to Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae of the previous bivalent vaccines (L2). Objective To examine whether introduction of L4 was associated with decreased incidence of leptospirosis and decreased odds for dogs with acute kidney injury (AKI) to be diagnosed with leptospirosis. Animals Four hundred and sixty‐nine dogs with AKI presented to a referral hospital, including 269 dogs with leptospirosis and 200 controls with other causes. Methods Descriptive section: disease incidence was evaluated for 3 consecutive periods: before (PRE, 2011‐2012), transition (TRANS, 2013‐2014), and after introduction of L4 (POST, 2015‐2017). Analytical section: variables associated with a diagnosis of leptospirosis were investigated in a case‐control study using multivariable logistic regression, and focusing on vaccination. Results The number of dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis (AKI‐L) decreased from 56.5 (PRE) to 15.7 (POST) cases/year while controls increased from 16.5 to 38.0 cases/year. Control dogs (AKI‐nL) showed a decrease in L2 vaccination (100% to 26%) and an increase in L4 vaccination (0% to 70%). The odds ratio for vaccinated dogs to be diagnosed with leptospirosis was 0.11 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06‐0.22; P < .001) for L4 and 2.08 (0.58‐7.42; P = .26) for L2. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The introduction of L4 was associated with a marked decrease in dogs with leptospirosis and AKI in Switzerland. Use of the L4 vaccine was associated with significantly decreased odds of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Francey
- Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ariane Schweighauser
- Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Antonella Reber
- Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Simone Schuller
- Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Eschle S, Hartmann K, Rieger A, Fischer S, Klima A, Bergmann M. Canine vaccination in Germany: A survey of owner attitudes and compliance. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238371. [PMID: 32853287 PMCID: PMC7451643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccination is the most important preventive measure for protection against infectious diseases in humans and companion animals. Nevertheless, scepticism about the safety and importance of vaccines is increasing in human and in veterinary medicine. Although owner attitudes towards vaccination have been investigated in cats, there are no similar studies in dogs. The goals of this study were therefore to investigate the vaccination status of dogs in Germany, to determine owner compliance with vaccination and to identify factors that play a role in owners' decisions to have their dogs vaccinated. METHODS Data were collected from August 2018 to February 2019 using an online survey targeting dog owners in Germany. A total of 3,881 questionnaires were evaluated, and factors associated with the vaccination status of dogs were determined by a linear logistic regression model using Akaike information criterion. Cohen's kappa statistic was used to evaluate agreement between questionnaire and 340 vaccination passports submitted voluntarily by owners. RESULTS A total of 46.8% (n = 1,818/3,881) of dogs were vaccinated with core vaccines according to current guidelines with the lowest vaccination rate for leptospirosis (50.1%; n = 1,941/3,874). Dog's age (16 weeks to 15 months) (odds ratio (OR): 3.08; 95% CI: 2.05-4.68), type (working dog) (OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.22-3.53) and travelling abroad within previous 36 months (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.12-2.96) had the strongest 'positive' association with the vaccination status. Recommendation from a veterinarian not to vaccinate against leptospirosis had the strongest 'negative' association (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04-0.18). CONCLUSION The study revealed a need for improvement in vaccination compliance because of inadequate vaccination coverage, especially for leptospirosis, in dogs. Factors influencing owner compliance were numerous. Vaccination recommendations made by the veterinarian had a strong association with the vaccination status and should be used to increase canine vaccination rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Eschle
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Anna Rieger
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Sebastian Fischer
- Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - André Klima
- Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Michèle Bergmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
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Ricardo T, Previtali MA, Signorini M. Meta-analysis of risk factors for canine leptospirosis. Prev Vet Med 2020; 181:105037. [PMID: 32590226 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases, with more than one million human cases reported worldwide every year. Dogs could develop infections that range from asymptomatic to severe, and shed leptospires with their urine. Given their close contact with humans, dogs may act both as epidemiological links or as sentinels of pathogenic leptospires in the environment. The aims of our study were to quantitatively summarize the overall prevalence of leptospiral antibodies and to identify factors associated with the probabilities of infection. We searched the electronic databases Scopus, PubMed, PMC and ScienceDirect for observational studies on canine leptospirosis published between 1989 and December 2019 and written in English, Spanish or Portuguese. We fitted a series of multilevel random effects meta-analysis models to estimate the prevalence of antibodies against Leptospira for different types of dogs, health statuses, diagnostic tests, geographic regions and income categories of the countries. We also fitted a number of random effects meta-analysis models to estimate the pooled odds-ratio of factors associated with canine leptospirosis. After removing duplicates and articles not meeting selection criteria, a total of 130 studies in 91 articles were included in this work. We found lower seroprevalence estimates in North America countries (P<0.001) and other high income countries (P<0.001). We also found higher probabilities of leptospiral infection in adult (P=0.017), male dogs with access to the streets (P<0.001). Identifying the profile of dogs that are more exposed to leptospirosis could be useful in the design of public health strategies for the prevention and control of leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Ricardo
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo S/N, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - M Andrea Previtali
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo S/N, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Signorini
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Ruta 34 Km 227, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Balboni A, Zamagni S, Bertasio C, Boniotti MB, Troìa R, Battilani M, Dondi F. Identification of Serogroups Australis and Icterohaemorrhagiae in Two Dogs with a Severe Form of Acute Leptospirosis in Italy. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050351. [PMID: 32384672 PMCID: PMC7281091 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that causes serious illness in dogs. For this reason, epidemiological and clinical studies focusing on disease characterization are widely advocated. The aim of this study was to characterize the leptospires identified in dogs with confirmed symptomatic acute leptospirosis. Leptospira spp. DNA detected in urine, blood, or both samples from nine infected dogs was analyzed using the multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) technique. Leptospires from two dogs were successfully typed: one was identified as belonging to Sequence Type (ST) 17 and one to ST198, both within the L. interrogans species, serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae and Australis, respectively. Based on the results of routine serologic tests, antibodies reactive toward these serogroups are commonly revealed in dogs in Italy. This study provides the first molecular analysis that identifies infecting Leptospira directly on DNA from biological samples of dogs, showing that serogroup Australis can lead to a severe clinical presentation of leptospirosis in infected dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Balboni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (S.Z.); (R.T.); (F.D.)
| | - Silvia Zamagni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (S.Z.); (R.T.); (F.D.)
| | - Cristina Bertasio
- National Reference Centre for Animal Leptospirosis (NRCL), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi 7/9, 25121 Brescia, Italy; (C.B.); (M.B.B.)
| | - Maria Beatrice Boniotti
- National Reference Centre for Animal Leptospirosis (NRCL), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi 7/9, 25121 Brescia, Italy; (C.B.); (M.B.B.)
| | - Roberta Troìa
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (S.Z.); (R.T.); (F.D.)
| | - Mara Battilani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (S.Z.); (R.T.); (F.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Francesco Dondi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (S.Z.); (R.T.); (F.D.)
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Prevalence of leptospirosis in vaccinated working dogs and humans with occupational risk. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 40:62-75. [PMID: 32463609 PMCID: PMC7449099 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.5009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Introducción. Los perros de trabajo pueden infectarse con diversas serovariedades de Leptospira que se mantienen en sus túbulos renales e intersticios por mucho tiempo, por lo que se convierten en portadores y fuentes de infección para otros huéspedes. Objetivo. Establecer la prevalencia de Leptospira spp. en perros de trabajo vacunados y en población humana con riesgo ocupacional de seis unidades policiales en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Mediante tres instrumentos estructurados, se evaluaron 92 perros de trabajo con inmunización previa contra Leptospira spp. (65 machos y 27 hembras) y 69 personas de seis unidades policiales de los municipios de Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, Ibagué, Tuluá y Cali. Se obtuvieron muestras sanguíneas de las personas y de los perros, las cuales se evaluaron mediante la prueba de microaglutinación (Microscopic Agglutination Test, MAT) en 24 serogrupos. Se hizo un examen clínico de los perros y se obtuvieron muestras de orina para urocultivo. Resultados. La seroprevalencia de leptospirosis en las personas fue de 2,9 % (n=2) y en los perros de 57,61 % (n=53). Los serogrupos más prevalentes en los perros fueron Leptospira canicola y L. panama. El urocultivo fue positivo en 58,7 % (54/92) de las muestras y se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre la edad de los perros (≥10 años; p=0,043) y la ubicación de la unidad policial (p=0,016). Conclusión. Las características epidemiológicas de la leptospirosis en los perros sugieren una presentación endémica de la infección. Se requieren algoritmos diagnósticos sensibles y específicos para investigar la leptospirosis canina y diferenciar los anticuerpos vacunales de la infección natural.
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Altheimer K, Jongwattanapisan P, Luengyosluechakul S, Pusoonthornthum R, Prapasarakul N, Kurilung A, Broens EM, Wagenaar JA, Goris MGA, Ahmed AA, Pantchev N, Reese S, Hartmann K. Leptospira infection and shedding in dogs in Thailand. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:89. [PMID: 32178664 PMCID: PMC7077098 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-2230-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis and has been recognized as a re-emerging infectious disease in humans and dogs, but prevalence of Leptospira shedding in dogs in Thailand is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine urinary shedding of Leptospira in dogs in Thailand, to evaluate antibody prevalence by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and to assess risk factors for Leptospira infection. In Northern, Northeastern, and Central Thailand, 273 stray (n = 119) or client-owned (n = 154) dogs from rural (n = 139) or urban (n = 134) areas were randomly included. Dogs that had received antibiotics within 4 weeks prior to sampling were excluded. No dog had received vaccination against Leptospira. Urine was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specific for lipL32 gene of pathogenic Leptospira. Additionally, urine was cultured for 6 months in Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) medium. Antibodies were measured by ELISA and MAT against 24 serovars belonging to 15 serogroups and 1 undesignated serogroup. Risk factor analysis was performed with backwards stepwise selection based on Wald. RESULTS Twelve of 273 (4.4%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.0-6.8%) urine samples were PCR-positive. In 1/273 dogs (0.4%; 95% CI: 0.01-1.1%) Leptospira could be cultured from urine. MAT detected antibodies in 33/273 dogs (12.1%; 95% CI: 8.2-16.0%) against 19 different serovars (Anhoa, Australis, Ballum, Bataviae, Bratislava, Broomi, Canicola, Copenhageni, Coxi, Grippotyphosa, Haemolytica, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Khorat, Paidjan, Patoc, Pyrogenes, Rachmati, Saxkoebing, Sejroe). In 111/252 dogs (44.0%; 95% CI: 37.9-50.2%) immunoglobulin M (IgM) and/or immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were found by ELISA. Female dogs had a significantly higher risk for Leptospira infection (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS Leptospira shedding occurs in randomly sampled dogs in Thailand, with infection rates comparable to those of Europe and the USA. Therefore, the potential zoonotic risk should not be underestimated and use of Leptospira vaccines are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Altheimer
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Prapaporn Jongwattanapisan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supol Luengyosluechakul
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rosama Pusoonthornthum
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nuvee Prapasarakul
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Alongkorn Kurilung
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Els M. Broens
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap A. Wagenaar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Marga G. A. Goris
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ahmed A. Ahmed
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Sven Reese
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
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Spangler D, Kish D, Beigel B, Morgan J, Gruszynski K, Naikare H, Nahar VK, Coarsey MD, Verma A. Leptospiral shedding and seropositivity in shelter dogs in the Cumberland Gap Region of Southeastern Appalachia. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228038. [PMID: 31999733 PMCID: PMC6992200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp., is a zoonotic infection that affects humans, dogs and many other mammalian species. Virtually any mammalian species can act as asymptomatic reservoir, characterized by chronic renal carriage and shedding of a host-adapted leptospiral serovar. Environmental contamination by chronic shedders results in acquisition of infection by humans and susceptible animals. METHODS In this study, we investigated if clinically normal shelter dogs and cats harbor leptospires in their kidneys by screening urine samples for the presence of leptospiral DNA by a TaqMan based-quantitative PCR (qPCR) that targets pathogen-associated lipl32 gene. To identify the infecting leptospiral species, a fragment of leptospiral rpoB gene was PCR amplified and sequenced. Additionally, we measured Leptospira-specific serum antibodies using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), a gold standard in leptospiral serology. RESULTS A total of 269 shelter animals (219 dogs and 50 cats) from seven shelters located in the tri-state area of western Virginia, eastern Tennessee, and southeastern Kentucky were included in this study. All cats tested negative by both qPCR and MAT. Of the 219 dogs tested in the study, 26/198 (13.1%, 95% CI: 8.4-17.8%) were positive for leptospiral DNA in urine by qPCR and 38/211 (18.0%, 95% CI: 12.8-23.2%) were seropositive by MAT. Twelve dogs were positive for both qPCR and MAT. Fourteen dogs were positive by qPCR but not by MAT. Additionally, leptospiral rpoB gene sequencing from a sub-set of qPCR-positive urine samples (n = 21) revealed L. interrogans to be the leptospiral species shed by dogs. CONCLUSIONS These findings have significant implications regarding animal and public health in the Cumberland Gap Region and possibly outside where these animals may be adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Spangler
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, United States of America
- Center for Infectious, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases, Harrogate, TN, United States of America
| | - Daniel Kish
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, United States of America
| | - Brittney Beigel
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, United States of America
| | - Joey Morgan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, United States of America
| | - Karen Gruszynski
- Center for Human and Animal Health in Appalachia, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, United States of America
| | - Hemant Naikare
- Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, United States of America
| | - Vinayak K. Nahar
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States of America
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine/John D. Bower School of Population Health, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States of America
| | - Michele D. Coarsey
- Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, United States of America
| | - Ashutosh Verma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, United States of America
- Center for Infectious, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases, Harrogate, TN, United States of America
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Bouvet J, Lemaitre L, Cariou C, Scotto M, Blain C, Oberli F, Cupillard L, Guigal PM. A canine vaccine against Leptospira serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola and Grippotyphosa provides cross protection against Leptospira serovar Copenhageni. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2019; 219:109985. [PMID: 31759261 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2019.109985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Efficacy of the Leptospira components of multivalent vaccine DAPPi-L was previously demonstrated against virulent challenge with three serovars of Leptospira interrogans (Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Grippotyphosa) carried out 14 days after primary vaccination. In this study we demonstrate that this vaccine provides, two weeks after vaccination, an additional protection (prevention of mortality, clinical signs, renal infection, bacterial excretion, renal carriage and renal lesions) against fatal leptospirosis due to Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni (serovar of major medical importance).
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bouvet
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Centre de Recherche de Saint-Vulbas, Parc Industriel de la Plaine de l'Ain, 805 Allée des Cyprès, 01150 Saint-Vulbas, France.
| | - L Lemaitre
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Centre de Recherche de Saint-Vulbas, Parc Industriel de la Plaine de l'Ain, 805 Allée des Cyprès, 01150 Saint-Vulbas, France
| | - C Cariou
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Lyon Porte des Alpes, rue de l'aviation, 69800 Saint-Priest, France
| | - M Scotto
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Centre de Recherche de Saint-Vulbas, Parc Industriel de la Plaine de l'Ain, 805 Allée des Cyprès, 01150 Saint-Vulbas, France
| | - C Blain
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Lyon Porte des Alpes, rue de l'aviation, 69800 Saint-Priest, France
| | - F Oberli
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Centre de Recherche de Saint-Vulbas, Parc Industriel de la Plaine de l'Ain, 805 Allée des Cyprès, 01150 Saint-Vulbas, France
| | - L Cupillard
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Lyon Porte des Alpes, rue de l'aviation, 69800 Saint-Priest, France
| | - P M Guigal
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Centre de Recherche de Saint-Vulbas, Parc Industriel de la Plaine de l'Ain, 805 Allée des Cyprès, 01150 Saint-Vulbas, France
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29
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Hässle SN, Rodriguez-Campos S, Howard J, Speiser-Fontaine C, Schuller S. Serological detection of anti-leptospiral antibodies in outdoor cats in Switzerland. Vet Anim Sci 2019; 8:100068. [PMID: 32734085 PMCID: PMC7386758 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2019.100068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is endemic in Switzerland affecting a broad range of hosts. The aim of this study was to estimate the exposure of cats to Leptospira in Switzerland. Plasma samples from 107 outdoor cats with an array of clinical problems were tested via microscopic agglutination test for the presence of anti-leptospiral antibodies against 12 serovars of 9 serogroups. Using a reciprocal cut-off titre of 1:100, an overall seroprevalence of 10.3% (95%CI 5.2-17.7) was observed. Seroreactivity against serovars Bratislava (n = 6), Australis (2), Pomona (3) and Copenhageni (1) was detected with reciprocal titres ranging from 1:100 to 1:800. The serologic status of the cats was independent of the disease group (p = 0.62). These results show that cats in Switzerland are commonly exposed to Leptospira and confirm the importance of serogroup Australis in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Noëmi Hässle
- Department Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 128, CH-3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Rodriguez-Campos
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Judith Howard
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 124, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Simone Schuller
- Department Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 128, CH-3001, Bern, Switzerland
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30
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López MC, Vila A, Rodón J, Roura X. Leptospira seroprevalence in owned dogs from Spain. Heliyon 2019; 5:e02373. [PMID: 31485543 PMCID: PMC6717157 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospira is a widespread zoonosis that has been linked to transmission between dogs and humans. The main purposes were to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Leptospira serum antibody and to identify the most common serovars in dogs in Spain. This is a cross-sectional study with 1,310 records of canine Leptospira testing data from Spain since 2015 to 2017. Inclusion criteria were individual cases with MAT test results for 8 serovars (Bratislava, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Australis, Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Autumnalis, Canicola and Saxkoebing) and to have the zip code data. Three hundred and thirty-eight samples (25.8%; 95%CI 23.6–28.4) were seropositive (≥1:100). According to geographic areas, North had the highest seroprevalence (38.0%; 95%CI 28.9–47.1) followed by South (29.4%; 95%CI 20.1–38.8), Center (28.6%; 95%CI 24.3–33.0), Mediterranean (22.3%; 95%CI 19.1–25.6) and Northwest (22.2%; 95%CI 7.9–36.4). Seropositivity (MAT ≥1:100) was most common to serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae (19.4%; 95%CI 17.2–21.5) and Bratislava (8.5%; 95%CI 7.0–10.0), followed by Grippotyphosa (7.2%; 95%CI 5.8–8.6), Australis (6.4%; 95%CI 5.0–7.7), Autumnalis (5.0%; 95%CI 3.8–6.2), Pomona (4.5%; 95%CI 3.3–5.6), Canicola (3.4%; 95%CI 2.4–4.4) and Saxkoebing (0.8%; 95%CI 0.3–1.3). An association was found between positivity (MAT ≥1:100) and males (P = 0.003) and dogs that were 6 years old or older were at higher risk of exposure (P = 0.001; OR 4.61; 95%CI 1.86–11.43). This study has shown that dogs in Spain are commonly exposed to Leptospira infection and points out the necessity to control the prevalence of this severe widespread zoonosis in dogs and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C López
- Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Campus UAB, Carrer de l'Hospital, s/n, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Vila
- Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Campus UAB, Carrer de l'Hospital, s/n, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Rodón
- Idexx Laboratories, Carrer del Plom, 2, 08038, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Roura
- Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Campus UAB, Carrer de l'Hospital, s/n, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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Trimble AC, Blevins CA, Beard LA, Deforno AR, Davis EG. Seroprevalence, frequency of leptospiuria, and associated risk factors in horses in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska from 2016-2017. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206639. [PMID: 30372498 PMCID: PMC6205653 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide veterinary and public health concern, and well recognized infectious disease of horses. Seroprevalence rates vary with geography, but many studies have confirmed a high exposure rate. The correlation between seropositivity and shedding status has not been made in horses, however. The aims of this study were to use semi-nested PCR on urine from apparently healthy horses to determine period prevalence of leptospiral shedding and to correlate these findings with MAT results to establish associations with client based survey data regarding horse management and environment. Serum and free-catch urine were collected from 204 healthy horses between May 2016-December 2017. Serum was used to determine GGT, creatinine concentrations, and six serovar MAT. Urine samples were submitted for PCR testing of leptospiral 23S rRNA. Client consent and survey data were collected for all subjects. Potential risk factors included drinking water source, exposure to livestock and dogs, geographical location, season, and precipitation. Two horses were positive on urine PCR for leptospirosis (shedding prevalence 1%), yet only one had a high reciprocal MAT titer of ≥ 800. Both horses were negative on urine PCR one month later without treatment. Approximately 77% of horses (157/204) were seroreactive (MAT reciprocal titer ≥ 100) with titers to serogroup Australis detected more frequently than others (47.5%; (97/204)). Apparently healthy horses infrequently shed Leptospira spp. in urine, yet seroreactivity in clinically normal horses is high (77%), confirming high exposure rates to Leptospira spp. in the Central Midwest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C. Trimble
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ACT); (EGD)
| | - Christopher A. Blevins
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Laurie A. Beard
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Ashley R. Deforno
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth G. Davis
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ACT); (EGD)
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Sauvage AC, Monclin SJ, Elansary M, Hansen P, Grauwels MF. Detection of intraocular Leptospira spp. by real-time polymerase chain reaction in horses with recurrent uveitis in Belgium. Equine Vet J 2018; 51:299-303. [PMID: 30144314 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) has been associated with Leptospira spp. infection. No information exists concerning the prevalence of Leptospira-associated ERU in Belgium and about the sensitivity of detection of Leptospira in different ocular media. OBJECTIVES To establish the prevalence of intraocular Leptospira spp. in ERU-affected and healthy eyes of horses examined at the Equine Clinic of the University of Liège by real-time PCR and to compare the results of the aqueous and vitreous humour of the same eye. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. METHODS Sixty-six eyes from 59 client-owned horses with a diagnosis of equine recurrent uveitis (ERU-group) were studied from May 2015 to December 2017. Fifty healthy eyes from 28 euthanised horses for unrelated reasons examined during the same period were included in the control group. Intraocular fluids (aqueous and/or vitreous humours) from ERU-affected eyes were sampled and analysed by real-time PCR for Leptospira spp. Aqueous and vitreous humours from the control group were processed in the same way. RESULTS Both groups were comparable regarding age, sex, eye sampled (OS/OD), humours sampled (aqueous/vitreous humour) but not regarding breeds, with an over-representation of Warmbloods and Appaloosas in the ERU-group. The prevalence of Leptospira spp. was 30.3% (20/66 eyes) in the ERU-group. Leptospira spp. DNA was identified in 11 aqueous and 17 vitreous humours with eight horses testing positive in both humours, nine horses testing positive for vitreous humour alone and third horses for aqueous humour alone. The phi-correlation between aqueous and vitreous humour Leptospira-PCR results is 0.47 suggesting a low association. All the control eyes were negative. MAIN LIMITATIONS The diagnostic method selected for this study (lipL32 qPCR) did not allow identification of the serovars. CONCLUSIONS Leptospirosis is a potential cause of ERU in Belgium. Testing both intraocular media is advised whenever possible. The Summary is available in Spanish - see Supporting Information.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Sauvage
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Companion and Equine Animals, Ophthalmology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - S J Monclin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Companion and Equine Animals, Ophthalmology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - M Elansary
- Unit of Animal Genomics, GIGA-R and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - P Hansen
- Laboratory Synlab Veterinary, Liège, Belgium
| | - M F Grauwels
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Companion and Equine Animals, Ophthalmology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Jaeger LH, Pestana CP, Carvalho-Costa FA, Medeiros MA, Lilenbaum W. Characterization of the clonal subpopulation Fiocruz L1-130 of Leptospira interrogans in rats and dogs from Brazil. J Med Microbiol 2018; 67:1361-1367. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Hubert Jaeger
- 1Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- 2Laboratory of Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | | | - Filipe Anibal Carvalho-Costa
- 2Laboratory of Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | | | - Walter Lilenbaum
- 1Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
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Miotto BA, Guilloux AGA, Tozzi BF, Moreno LZ, da Hora AS, Dias RA, Heinemann MB, Moreno AM, Filho AFDS, Lilenbaum W, Hagiwara MK. Prospective study of canine leptospirosis in shelter and stray dog populations: Identification of chronic carriers and different Leptospira species infecting dogs. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200384. [PMID: 29995963 PMCID: PMC6040711 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Dogs are highly susceptible to the leptospiral infection, notably stray and sheltered dogs. Unsanitary conditions often observed in dog shelters may predispose the introduction and spread of leptospires among sheltered populations, potentially increasing the chances for the inadvertent adoption of asymptomatically infected animals. The present work describes a longitudinal study using a multidisciplinary approach for the identification of chronically infected dogs and the characterization of potentially pathogenic strains circulating among stray and sheltered dog populations in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 123 dogs from three populations were included. The initial evaluation consisted of blood and urine quantitative PCR testing (qPCR), the detection of specific antibodies by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), physical examination and hematological and serum biochemistry analyses. The qPCR-positive dogs were prospectively examined, and reevaluations also included culture from urine samples. Positive qPCR samples were subjected to 16S rRNA and secY gene phylogenetic analysis. The recovered strains were characterized by Multilocus Sequence Typing, polyclonal serogroup identification and virulence determination. Leptospiruria was detected in all populations studied (13/123), and phylogenetic analysis revealed that 10 dogs had L. interrogans infection. Three dogs (3/13) had L. santarosai infection. The secY phylogenetic analysis revealed that the L. santarosai sequences clustered separately from those obtained from other hosts. Ten leptospiruric dogs were reevaluated, and three dogs presented persistent leptospiruria, allowing culturing from two dogs. The strains were characterized as L. interrogans serogroup Canicola (virulent) and L. santarosai serogroup Sejroe (not virulent). Serum samples were retested by MAT using the DU92 and DU114 strains as antigens, and no increased seroreactivity was detected. Asymptomatic L. santarosai infection was observed in all populations studied, suggesting a possible role of dogs in the chain of transmission of this leptospiral species. The results suggest a genetic distinction between lineages of Brazilian L. santarosai maintained by dogs and other animal hosts. Our findings revealed that dogs could act as maintenance hosts for distinct pathogenic Leptospira, highlighting also that asymptomatically infected dogs can be inadvertently admitted and adopted in dog shelters, potentially increasing the risks of zoonotic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Alonso Miotto
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
- * E-mail:
| | - Aline Gil Alves Guilloux
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Barbara Furlan Tozzi
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Luisa Zanolli Moreno
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Aline Santana da Hora
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Ricardo Augusto Dias
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Marcos Bryan Heinemann
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Andrea Micke Moreno
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Antônio Francisco de Souza Filho
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Walter Lilenbaum
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Mitika Kuribayashi Hagiwara
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
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Zaidi S, Bouam A, Bessas A, Hezil D, Ghaoui H, Ait-Oudhia K, Drancourt M, Bitam I. Urinary shedding of pathogenic Leptospira in stray dogs and cats, Algiers: A prospective study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197068. [PMID: 29768448 PMCID: PMC5955589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis is an important worldwide zoonosis. This disease is caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira which are maintained in the environment via chronic renal infection of carrier animals which can be asymptomatic excretors of the organisms in their urines and become a source of infection for humans and other hosts. The prevalence of animal leptospirosis in Algiers, Algeria, is unknown. Methodology/principal findings Real-time PCR and standard PCR and sequencing were used to detect pathogenic Leptospira organisms in the urines of stray dogs and cats in Algiers. In the presence of appropriate controls, none of the 107 cat urine samples were positive while 5/104 (4.8%) canine urine samples (asymptomatic mixed-breed dogs, three females and two males) were positive in two real-time PCR assays targeting the rrs and hsp genes. The positivity of these samples was confirmed by partial PCR-sequencing of the rpoB gene which yielded 100% sequence similarity with Leptospira interrogans reference sequence. In this study, L. interrogans prevalence was significantly higher in dogs aged < one year (16.46% - 29.41%) than in adults (0%) (P value = 0.0001) and then in the overall dog population (2.68% - 4.8%) (P = 0.0007). Conclusions/significance These results suggest that dogs are maintenance hosts for zoonotic leptospirosis in Algiers, Algeria. To face this situation, effective canine vaccination strategies and raising public health awareness are mandatory. Further investigations incorporating a larger sample in more localities will be undertaken to document the epidemiology of urban animal leptospirosis in Algeria at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Zaidi
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire, Alger, Algérie
| | - Amar Bouam
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Amina Bessas
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire, Alger, Algérie
| | - Djamila Hezil
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire, Alger, Algérie
| | - Hicham Ghaoui
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire, Alger, Algérie
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | | | - Michel Drancourt
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Idir Bitam
- Ecole Supérieure en Sciences de l'Aliment et des Industries Agroalimentaires (ESSAIA), El Harrach, Alger, Algérie
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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Chaurasia R, Thresiamma KC, Eapen CK, Zachariah BJ, Paul R, Sritharan M. Pathogen-specific leptospiral proteins in urine of patients with febrile illness aids in differential diagnosis of leptospirosis from dengue. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 37:423-433. [PMID: 29332210 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-018-3187-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis and dengue are two commonly seen infectious diseases of the tropics. Differential diagnosis of leptospirosis from dengue fever is often difficult due to overlapping clinical symptoms and lack of economically viable and easy-to-perform laboratory tests. The gold standard for diagnosis is the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In this study, the diagnostic potential of screening for pathogen-specific leptospiral antigens in urine samples is presented as a non-invasive method of disease diagnosis. In a study group of 40 patients, the serum was tested for anti-leptospiral antibodies by MAT and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Urine of these patients was screened for leptospiral antigens by ELISA using specific antibodies against LipL32, LipL41, Fla1, HbpA and sphingomyelinase. Group I patients (n = 23) were classified as leptospirosis-positive based on MAT and high titres of circulating IgM-specific anti-leptospiral antibodies. All of these patients excreted all five leptospiral antigens in the urine. The 17 MAT-negative cases included six patients with pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO; Group II) and 11 confirmed dengue patients (Group III). The latter tested negative for both serum anti-leptospiral antibodies and urinary leptospiral antigens. A salient outcome of this study was highlighting the usefulness of screening for urinary leptospiral antigens in disease diagnosis, as their presence confirmed leptospiral aetiology in two PUO patients. Immunoblots of urinary antigens identified well-defined bands corresponding to LipL32, HbpA and sphingomyelinase; the significance of the 42- and 58-kDa sphingomyelinase bands is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Chaurasia
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. CR Rao Road, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500 046, India
| | - K C Thresiamma
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, MOSC Medical College, Kerala, India
| | - C K Eapen
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, MOSC Medical College, Kerala, India
| | - B J Zachariah
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, MOSC Medical College, Kerala, India
| | - R Paul
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, MOSC Medical College, Kerala, India
| | - M Sritharan
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. CR Rao Road, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500 046, India.
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