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Hamond C, LeCount K, Browne AS, Anderson T, Stuber T, Hicks J, Camp P, Fernandes LGV, van der Linden H, Goris MGA, Bayles DO, Schlater LK, Nally JE. Concurrent colonization of rodent kidneys with multiple species and serogroups of pathogenic Leptospira. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0120423. [PMID: 37819079 PMCID: PMC10617434 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01204-23] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodents are important reservoir hosts of pathogenic leptospires in the US Virgin Islands. Our previous work determined that trapped rodents were colonized with Leptospira borgpetersenii serogroup Ballum (n = 48) and/or Leptospira kirschneri serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae (n = 3). In addition, nine rodents appeared to be colonized with a mixed population comprising more than one species/serogroup. The aim of this study was to validate this finding by characterizing clonal isolates derived from cultures of mixed species. Cultures of presumptive mixed species (designated LR1, LR5, LR37, LR57, LR60, LR61, LR68, LR70, and LR72) were propagated in different media including Hornsby-Alt-Nally (HAN) media, incubated at both 29℃ and 37℃, and T80/40/LH incubated at 29℃. Polyclonal reference antisera specific for serogroup Ballum and Icterohaemorrhagiae were used to enrich for different serogroups followed by subculture on agar plates. Individual colonies were then selected for genotyping and serotyping. Of the nine cultures of mixed species/serogroups, a single clonal isolate was separated in five of them: L. borgpetersenii serogroup Ballum in LR1, LR5, and LR37, and L. kirschneri serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae in LR60 and LR72. In four of the cultures with mixed species (LR57, LR61, LR68, and LR70), clonal isolates of both L. borgpetersenii serogroup Ballum and L. kirschneri serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae were recovered. Our results definitively establish that rodents can be colonized with more than one species/serogroup of Leptospira concurrently. The identification and characterization of multiple species/serogroups of Leptospira from individual reservoir hosts of infection are essential to understand the epidemiology and transmission of disease to both human and domestic animal populations.IMPORTANCEPathogenic Leptospira, the causative agent of human and animal leptospirosis, comprise a diverse genus of species/serogroups which are inherently difficult to isolate from mammalian hosts due to fastidious growth requirements. Molecular evidence has indicated that reservoir hosts of Leptospira may shed multiple species concurrently. However, evidence of this phenomena by culture has been lacking. Culture is definitive and is essential for comprehensive characterization of recovered isolates by high-resolution genome sequencing and serotyping. In this work, a protocol using recently developed novel media formulations, in conjunction with reference antisera, was developed and validated to demonstrate the recovery of multiple species/serogroups of pathogenic Leptospira from the same host. The identification and characterization of multiple species/serogroups of Leptospira from individual reservoir hosts of infection are essential to understand the epidemiology and transmission of disease to both human and domestic animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Hamond
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
- National Center for Animal Health (NCAH) Leptospira working group, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Karen LeCount
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
- National Center for Animal Health (NCAH) Leptospira working group, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - A. Springer Browne
- Domestic Animal Health Analytics Team, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Tammy Anderson
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
- National Center for Animal Health (NCAH) Leptospira working group, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Tod Stuber
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Jessica Hicks
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Patrick Camp
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Luis G. V. Fernandes
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Hans van der Linden
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, WOAH and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marga G. A. Goris
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, WOAH and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Darrell O. Bayles
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Linda K. Schlater
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
- National Center for Animal Health (NCAH) Leptospira working group, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Jarlath E. Nally
- National Center for Animal Health (NCAH) Leptospira working group, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
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Rodarte KA, Fair JM, Bett BK, Kerfua SD, Fasina FO, Bartlow AW. A scoping review of zoonotic parasites and pathogens associated with abattoirs in Eastern Africa and recommendations for abattoirs as disease surveillance sites. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1194964. [PMID: 37529427 PMCID: PMC10387540 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1194964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Abattoirs are facilities where livestock are slaughtered and are an important aspect in the food production chain. There are several types of abattoirs, which differ in infrastructure and facilities, sanitation and PPE practices, and adherence to regulations. In each abattoir facility, worker exposure to animals and animal products increases their risk of infection from zoonotic pathogens. Backyard abattoirs and slaughter slabs have the highest risk of pathogen transmission because of substandard hygiene practices and minimal infrastructure. These abattoir conditions can often contribute to environmental contamination and may play a significant role in disease outbreaks within communities. To assess further the risk of disease, we conducted a scoping review of parasites and pathogens among livestock and human workers in abattoirs across 13 Eastern African countries, which are hotspots for zoonoses. Our search results (n = 104 articles) showed the presence of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and macroparasites (nematodes, cestodes, etc.) in cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, camels, and poultry. Most articles reported results from cattle, and the most frequent pathogen detected was Mycobacterium bovis, which causes bovine tuberculosis. Some articles included worker survey and questionnaires that suggested how the use of PPE along with proper worker training and safe animal handling practices could reduce disease risk. Based on these findings, we discuss ways to improve abattoir biosafety and increase biosurveillance for disease control and mitigation. Abattoirs are a 'catch all' for pathogens, and by surveying animals at abattoirs, health officials can determine which diseases are prevalent in different regions and which pathogens are most likely transmitted from wildlife to livestock. We suggest a regional approach to biosurveillance, which will improve testing and data gathering for enhanced disease risk mapping and forecasting. Next generation sequencing will be key in identifying a wide range of pathogens, rather than a targeted approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie A. Rodarte
- Genomics and Bioanalytics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Jeanne M. Fair
- Genomics and Bioanalytics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Bernard K. Bett
- International Livestock Research Institute and ILRI/BMZ One Health Research, Education, Outreach and Awareness Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Susan D. Kerfua
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Folorunso O. Fasina
- Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Andrew W. Bartlow
- Genomics and Bioanalytics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
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García-Díez J, Saraiva S, Moura D, Grispoldi L, Cenci-Goga BT, Saraiva C. The Importance of the Slaughterhouse in Surveilling Animal and Public Health: A Systematic Review. Vet Sci 2023; 10:167. [PMID: 36851472 PMCID: PMC9959654 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
From the point of public health, the objective of the slaughterhouse is to guarantee the safety of meat in which meat inspection represent an essential tool to control animal diseases and guarantee the public health. The slaughterhouse can be used as surveillance center for livestock diseases. However, other aspects related with animal and human health, such as epidemiology and disease control in primary production, control of animal welfare on the farm, surveillance of zoonotic agents responsible for food poisoning, as well as surveillance and control of antimicrobial resistance, can be monitored. These controls should not be seen as a last defensive barrier but rather as a complement to the controls carried out on the farm. Regarding the control of diseases in livestock, scientific research is scarce and outdated, not taking advantage of the potential for disease control. Animal welfare in primary production and during transport can be monitored throughout ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection at the slaughterhouse, providing valuable individual data on animal welfare. Surveillance and research regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at slaughterhouses is scarce, mainly in cattle, sheep, and goats. However, most of the zoonotic pathogens are sensitive to the antibiotics studied. Moreover, the prevalence at the slaughterhouse of zoonotic and foodborne agents seems to be low, but a lack of harmonization in terms of control and communication may lead to underestimate its real prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan García-Díez
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Portugal
| | - Sónia Saraiva
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Portugal
| | - Dina Moura
- Divisão de Intervenção de Alimentação e Veterinária de Vila Real e Douro Sul, Direção de Serviços de Alimentação e Veterinária da Região Norte, Direção Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária, Lugar de Codessais, 5000-567 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Luca Grispoldi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Beniamino Terzo Cenci-Goga
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Cristina Saraiva
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Portugal
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
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Ochoa-Valencia JL, Cruz-Romero A, Sánchez-Montes S, Esparza-González SC, Romero-Salas D, Domínguez-Mancera B, Ramos-Vázquez JR, Becker I, Torres-Castro M. Serological and Molecular evidence of pathogenic Leptospira species in cattle from slaughterhouses in Veracruz State, Mexico. REVISTA CIENTÍFICA DE LA FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS VETERINARIAS 2022. [DOI: 10.52973/rcfcv-e33201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cattle raising is the most important livestock activity in Mexico, highlighting the fact that the Country is eight place worldwide in the production of bovine meat. However, cattle can be affected by leptospirosis (a bacterial disease caused by 17 species of spirochetes of the genus Leptospira), which cause reproductive problems that translate into great economic losses. Additionally, these zoonotic agents can cause a rapidly evolving febrile condition in humans, which can be solved after the first week of symptoms or could progress to develop a severe late-phase manifestations. Despite the great impact of these agents on the economy and Public Health, epidemiological surveillance against the infectious disease that cause is not present in municipal slaughterhouses (MS). Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify, using serological and molecular methods, the circulating Leptospira species in three MS in Veracruz State. The frequency of anti-Leptospira antibodies was 67.5%. Additionally, five sequences were recovered that were 99% similar to L. interrogans. This work represents the first national effort for the evaluation of MS as sentinel units, that allow establishing the diversity of species of the genus Leptospira that circulate in cattle and establishing intervention measures for workers risk mitigation, who come into contact with the fluids and organs of infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Luis Ochoa-Valencia
- Universidad Veracruzana, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, región Veracruz. Veracruz, México
| | - Anabel Cruz-Romero
- Universidad Veracruzana, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, región Veracruz. Veracruz, México
| | - Sokani Sánchez-Montes
- Universidad Veracruzana, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, región Tuxpan. Veracruz, México -Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Medicina Tropical, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Sandra Cecilia Esparza-González
- Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Facultad de Odontología, Laboratorio de Cultivo Celular, Unidad Saltillo. Saltillo, México
| | - Dora Romero-Salas
- Universidad Veracruzana, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, región Veracruz. Veracruz, México
| | | | - Jose Rodrigo Ramos-Vázquez
- Universidad Veracruzana, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, región Veracruz. Veracruz, México
| | - Ingeborg Becker
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Medicina Tropical, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Marco Torres-Castro
- Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Dr. Hideyo Noguchi”, Laboratorio de Enfermedades Emergentes y Reemergentes.Yucatán, México
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Goosen W, Moseley MH, Kerr TJ, Potts A, Miller M. The Seroepidemiology of a Neglected Zoonotic and Livestock Pathogen in Free-Ranging Bovids: Leptospirosis in African Buffaloes ( Syncerus caffer). Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091072. [PMID: 34578105 PMCID: PMC8469302 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-host pathogens are challenging to control and are responsible for some of the most important diseases of humans, livestock, and wildlife. Leptospira spp. are some of the most common multi-host pathogens and represent an important cause of zoonotic infections and livestock productivity loss in the developing world, where contact with wildlife species is common. Although there is increasing evidence that cattle in Africa harbour a broad diversity of Leptospira genotypes and serovars, little is known about the epidemiology of these pathogens in wild bovids, such as African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer). Using microscopic agglutination testing (MAT) on serum samples collected from free-ranging buffaloes (n = 98) captured in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP), South Africa, we demonstrated an overall seroprevalence of 21% with seropositivity almost exclusively limited to serovar Tarassovi (serogroup Tarassovi). Moreover, we found no evidence of seropositivity in unweaned calves and showed temporal- or herd-specific variation in exposure risk, and increased probability of seropositivity (OR = 5.44, 95% CI = 1.4–27) in female buffaloes. Together, these findings demonstrate that free-ranging African buffaloes are exposed to Leptospira spp. infections, providing insights into the epidemiology of an emerging Leptospira serovar in herds with an absence of any disease control and minimal management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wynand Goosen
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 8000, South Africa; (W.G.); (T.J.K.); (M.M.)
| | - Mark Hamish Moseley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Tanya Jane Kerr
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 8000, South Africa; (W.G.); (T.J.K.); (M.M.)
| | - Andrew Potts
- Agricultural Research Council—Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa;
| | - Michele Miller
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 8000, South Africa; (W.G.); (T.J.K.); (M.M.)
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Kelly RF, Jennings A, Hunt J, Hamman SM, Mazeri S, Nkongho EF, Ngwa VN, Tanya V, Sander M, Ndip L, Bessell PR, Morgan KL, Handel IG, Muwonge A, Bronsvoort BMDC. The epidemiology of bacterial zoonoses in pastoral and dairy cattle in Cameroon, Central Africa. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 68:781-793. [PMID: 34129288 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Previous work identified that bacterial zoonoses (Brucella species, Coxiella burnetii and Leptospira hardjo) were present in Cameroonian pastoral cattle. To assess the characteristics of this zoonotic risk, we analyse seroprevalence of each pathogen and the associated management, herd and environmental factors in Cameroonian pastoral and dairy cattle. Cross-sectional samples included pastoralist herds in the Northwest Region (NWR n = 750) and Vina Division (VD n = 748) and small holder dairy herds in the NWR (n = 60). Exposure to Brucella spp., C. burnetii and L. hardjo were screened for using commercial ELISAs and population adjusted estimates made. In addition, individual, herd and ecological metadata were collected and used to identify risk factors associated with animal-level seropositivity. In the pastoral cattle, seroprevalence to Brucella spp. was relatively low but was higher in the NWR (4.2%, CI: 2.5%-7.0%) than the VD (1.1%: CI 0.5%-2.4%), while L. hardjo seroprevalence was much higher though similar in the NWR (30.7%, CI 26.3%-35.5%) and VD (35.9%, CI 31.3%-40.7%). No differences were noted in C. burnetii seroprevalence between the two study sites (NWR: 14.6%, CI 11.8%-18.0%. VD: 12.4%, 9.6%-15.9%). Compared to pastoral, dairy cattle had lower seroprevalences for L. hardjo (1.7%, CI: 0.0%-4.9%), C. burnetii (0.0%, CI 0.0%-6.0%) but similar for Brucella spp. (5.0%, CI 0.0%-10.6%). Increased odds of Brucella spp. seropositivity were associated with owning sheep or rearing sheep and fencing cattle in at night. Adult cattle had increased odds of being seropositive for both C. burnetii and L. hardjo. Additionally, exposure to C. burnetii was associated with local ecological conditions and L. hardjo was negatively associated with cattle undertaking transhumance. This work highlights that exposure to these 3 important production diseases and occupational zoonoses are widespread in Cameroonian cattle. Further work is required to understand transmission dynamics between humans and livestock to inform implementation of effective control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Kelly
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - Amy Jennings
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - Jennifer Hunt
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - Saidou M Hamman
- Regional Centre of Wakwa, Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | - Stella Mazeri
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - Egbe F Nkongho
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
| | - Victor N Ngwa
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | | | - Melissa Sander
- Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory Bamenda, Hospital Roundabout, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Lucy Ndip
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Paul R Bessell
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - Kenton L Morgan
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease and School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK
| | - Ian G Handel
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - Adrian Muwonge
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - Barend M de C Bronsvoort
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
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Effects of land use, habitat characteristics, and small mammal community composition on Leptospira prevalence in northeast Madagascar. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 14:e0008946. [PMID: 33382723 PMCID: PMC7774828 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human activities can increase or decrease risks of acquiring a zoonotic disease, notably by affecting the composition and abundance of hosts. This study investigated the links between land use and infectious disease risk in northeast Madagascar, where human subsistence activities and population growth are encroaching on native habitats and the associated biota. We collected new data on pathogenic Leptospira, which are bacteria maintained in small mammal reservoirs. Transmission can occur through close contact, but most frequently through indirect contact with water contaminated by the urine of infected hosts. The probability of infection and prevalence was compared across a gradient of natural moist evergreen forest, nearby forest fragments, flooded rice and other types of agricultural fields, and in homes in a rural village. Using these data, we tested specific hypotheses for how land use alters ecological communities and influences disease transmission. The relative abundance and proportion of exotic species was highest in the anthropogenic habitats, while the relative abundance of native species was highest in the forested habitats. Prevalence of Leptospira was significantly higher in introduced compared to endemic species. Lastly, the probability of infection with Leptospira was highest in introduced small mammal species, and lower in forest fragments compared to other habitat types. Our results highlight how human land use affects the small mammal community composition and in turn disease dynamics. Introduced species likely transmit Leptospira to native species where they co-occur, and may displace the Leptospira species naturally occurring in Madagascar. The frequent spatial overlap of people and introduced species likely also has consequences for public health. Many neglected tropical diseases have reservoirs in wildlife. The effects of human activities on wildlife include changes in species abundance, community composition, and the transmission dynamics of parasites. Introduced species, especially black rats (Rattus rattus) are known to transmit zoonotic diseases among wildlife species and people. Leptospira, a water-borne bacterium that infects wildlife and people, is an important pathogen in the tropics, and in Madagascar, multiple strains and hosts have been identified. We tested how land use gradients in a forest-frontier agricultural system affect the composition of small mammal communities, and in turn the prevalence of Leptospira. We investigated 11 species of small mammals, including native rodents and tenrecs, as well as introduced rodents and shrews, in old growth forest, forest fragments, agricultural fields, and in a village. Leptospira prevalence and infection risk were highest in introduced species compared to native species and lower in forest fragments. The results highlight how the introduction of non-native species affects the variation in disease prevalence in small mammals, with potential consequences for spill-over to people.
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Circulating genotypes of Leptospira in French Polynesia : An 9-year molecular epidemiology surveillance follow-up study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008662. [PMID: 32986693 PMCID: PMC7544043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis with global impact, particularly among vulnerable populations in resource-poor settings in tropical countries. Rodents have been considered to be the main reservoir of the disease; however, a wide variety of mammals can act as hosts as well. Here we examine the genetic diversity of Leptospira strains from biological samples of patients and animals in French Polynesia (FP) from 2011 to 2019. Methodology/Principal findings From 2011 to 2019, we have collected 444 blood samples from patients diagnosed as having leptospirosis. The limited volume of clinical material and low amount of leptospiral DNA in blood samples led us to develop a nested PCR targeting the secY locus that enabled us to amplify and sequence 244 samples (55%). In addition, 20 Leptospira strains recovered from the blood of patients from 2002 to 2011 were sequenced and fully characterized at the serogroup level and used as reference strains for the association of different phylogenetic branches with respective serogroups. The secY sequences were compared with publicly available sequences from patients and animal reservoirs in FP (n = 79). We identified rats as the main source of infection for L. borgpetersenii serogroup Ballum and L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae, dogs as the main source of infection for L. interrogans serogroup Australis, and farm pigs as the main source of infection for L. interrogans serogroups Pomona or Canicola. L. interrogans was associated with the most severe infections with 10 and 5 fatal cases due to serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae and Australis, respectively. Mortality was significantly associated with older age (p-value < 0.001). Conclusions/Significance We described the population dynamics of leptospires circulating among patients in FP, including two patients who were reinfected with unrelated Leptospira genotypes, and clarified the local role of the animal reservoirs in the transmission route of leptospirosis to humans. Routine Leptospira genotyping directly on biological samples should allow the epidemiological follow-up of circulating strains and assess the impact of control interventions on disease transmission. Pathogenic Leptospira are the causative agents for leptospirosis, a neglected zoonosis occurring worldwide with the highest incidence of the disease found in the Pacific region, including French Polynesia (FP). In this study, a nested PCR of blood specimens allowed a high isolation frequency of Leptospira DNA among patients with febrile illness in FP. Infecting Leptospira isolates were characterized by sequencing of the secY gene from 244 clinical samples from 2011 to 2019. The genotypes have been assigned to Leptospira species and serogroups by comparing the secY sequences with the genomes of strains isolated prior to 2011 in FP. This study therefore enables to follow the distribution of genotypes/serogroups over a 18-year time period. Leptospiral sequences from patients were also compared with secY sequences from different animal reservoirs from a previous study in FP showing that not only rats but also dogs and pigs might play an important role in the circulation of pathogenic Leptospira strains in FP. Further progress in our understanding of the epidemiology of Leptospira circulating genotypes should contribute to the implementation of prevention and intervention measures to reduce the risk of leptospirosis transmission in FP.
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Philip N, Bahtiar Affendy N, Ramli SNA, Arif M, Raja P, Nagandran E, Renganathan P, Taib NM, Masri SN, Yuhana MY, Than LTL, Seganathirajah M, Goarant C, Goris MGA, Sekawi Z, Neela VK. Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira kirschneri are the dominant Leptospira species causing human leptospirosis in Central Malaysia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008197. [PMID: 32203511 PMCID: PMC7117766 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis, commonly known as rat-urine disease, is a global but endemic zoonotic disease in the tropics. Despite the historical report of leptospirosis in Malaysia, the information on human-infecting species is limited. Determining the circulating species is important to understand its epidemiology, thereby to strategize appropriate control measures through public health interventions, diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccine development. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS We investigated the human-infecting Leptospira species in blood and serum samples collected from clinically suspected leptospirosis patients admitted to three tertiary care hospitals in Malaysia. From a total of 165 patients, 92 (56%) were confirmed cases of leptospirosis through Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) (n = 43; 47%), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) (n = 63; 68%) or both MAT and PCR (n = 14; 15%). The infecting Leptospira spp., determined by partial 16S rDNA (rrs) gene sequencing revealed two pathogenic species namely Leptospira interrogans (n = 44, 70%) and Leptospira kirschneri (n = 17, 27%) and one intermediate species Leptospira wolffii (n = 2, 3%). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) identified an isolate of L. interrogans as a novel sequence type (ST 265), suggesting that this human-infecting strain has a unique genetic profile different from similar species isolated from rodents so far. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira kirschneri were identified as the dominant Leptospira species causing human leptospirosis in Central Malaysia. The existence of novel clinically important ST 265 (infecting human), that is different from rodent L. interrogans strains cautions reservoir(s) of these Leptospira lineages are yet to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noraini Philip
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norliza Bahtiar Affendy
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siti Nur Alia Ramli
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhamad Arif
- Center of Excellence in Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
| | - Pappitha Raja
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Elanngovan Nagandran
- Clinical Research Centre Unit, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Pukunan Renganathan
- Clinical Research Centre Unit, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Niazlin Mohd Taib
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siti Norbaya Masri
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhamad Yazli Yuhana
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Leslie Thian Lung Than
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mithra Seganathirajah
- General Medicine, Hospital Serdang, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Puchong, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Cyrille Goarant
- Institut Pasteur de Noume´a, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Noume´a, New Caledonia
| | - Marga G. A. Goris
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis Academic Medical Center, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Zamberi Sekawi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Vasantha Kumari Neela
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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Rajeev S, Shiokawa K, Llanes A, Rajeev M, Restrepo CM, Chin R, Cedeño E, Ellis E. Detection and Characterization of Leptospira Infection and Exposure in Rats on the Caribbean Island of Saint Kitts. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E350. [PMID: 32098357 PMCID: PMC7071179 DOI: 10.3390/ani10020350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we detected and characterized Leptospira infection and exposure in rats on the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts for the first time. We detected Leptospira infection in 17/29 (59%), 14/29 (48)%, and 11/29 (38)% of rats by RT-PCR, culture, and immunofluorescence assay, respectively. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and analysis and serogrouping of 17 Leptospira strains isolated from rats revealed their close relationship with L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae (n = 10) and L. borgpetersenii serogroup Ballum (n = 7). WGS, serogrouping, and additional PCR tests on rat kidneys confirmed mixed infections with L. interrogans and L. borgpetersenii in the kidneys of three rats. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was positive for 25/29 (87%) of the rats tested, and the response was restricted to serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae {24/29(83%)}, Mankarso {4/29(14%)}, Copenhageni {4/29(14%)}, Grippotyphosa {2/29(7%)}, and Wolffi {1/29(3%)}. Interestingly, there was no agglutinating antibody response to serovar Ballum. We observed a similar pattern in the serologic response using Leptospira isolates obtained from this study with each of the rat sera, with strong response to L. interrogans isolates but minimal reactivity to L. borgpetersenii isolates. Our findings suggest the use of multiple complementary diagnostic tests for Leptospira surveillance and diagnosis to improve the accuracy of the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumari Rajeev
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts, KN 0101, West Indies;
| | - Kanae Shiokawa
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts, KN 0101, West Indies;
| | - Alejandro Llanes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (R.C.); (E.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Malavika Rajeev
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA;
| | - Carlos Mario Restrepo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (R.C.); (E.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Raymond Chin
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (R.C.); (E.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Eymi Cedeño
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (R.C.); (E.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Esteban Ellis
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (R.C.); (E.C.); (E.E.)
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