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Magliocca M, Taddei R, Urbani L, Bertasio C, Facile V, Gallina L, Sampieri M, Rugna G, Rubini S, Maioli G, Terrusi A, Battilani M, Balboni A. Molecular Detection of Viral and Bacterial Pathogens in Red Foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) from Italy. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1969. [PMID: 38998080 PMCID: PMC11240561 DOI: 10.3390/ani14131969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Animals, including wildlife, are part of One-Health concept since many infectious diseases can affect both humans and animals. In this study, 126 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Northern Italy in 2022-2023 were tested by molecular assays for Protoparvovirus carnivoran 1 (PPVC-1), Canine adenovirus type 1 and 2 (CAdV-1 and CAdV-2), Circovirus canine (CanineCV), Canine distemper virus (CDV), and Leptospira spp. A total of 39 of 126 (30.9%) red foxes were infected with at least one pathogen and five of these were coinfected: 20/126 (15.9%) red foxes tested positive for PPVC-1, 3/126 (2.4%) for CAdV, 20/126 (15.9%) for CanineCV, and 2/126 (1.6%) for Leptospira spp. DNA. No foxes tested positive for CDV RNA. The pathogens identified were genetically analysed. New findings were reported such as a fox with multiple feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and canine parvovirus type 2b (CPV-2b) infection associated with quasispecies dynamics, typical genetic characteristics of the identified CanineCV, and the first detection in red foxes of Leptospira ST198 related to L. interrogans serogroup Australis. Further studies are necessary to investigate the transmission between domestic animals and wildlife and to understand the role of red foxes in the maintenance of these pathogens not only in the wild but also in urban and peri-urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Magliocca
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberta Taddei
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorenza Urbani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Bertasio
- Italian Reference Centre for Animal Leptospirosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Veronica Facile
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Gallina
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Sampieri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rugna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - Silva Rubini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giulia Maioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia Terrusi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mara Battilani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Balboni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
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Beato-Benítez A, Cano-Terriza D, Gonzálvez M, Martínez R, Pérez-Cobo I, Ruano MJ, Guerra R, Mozos-Mora E, García-Bocanegra I. Fatal leptospirosis in endangered Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) kept in captivity: Assessing the role of sympatric rodents. Vet Microbiol 2024; 291:110028. [PMID: 38367538 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Between December 2020 and January 2021, an outbreak of acute mortality in endangered Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) kept in captivity was detected in a zoo in Spain. The main findings observed in the two fatally affected animals at post-mortem evaluation were jaundice, renal tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis. Leptospira spp. infection was confirmed by real time PCR (qPCR) in different tissues in both individuals. Analyses of secY gene from a positive individual showed 100% homology with a previously published sequence corresponding to Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni. Free-living sympatric brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from the affected zoo were also analyzed, and showed a prevalence and seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. of 18.2% (4/22; 95% CI: 2.1-34.3) and 41.9% (26/62; 95% CI: 29.7-54.2), respectively. We detected seropositive sera to five different serovars of Leptospira spp. (Copenhageni, Grippotyphosa, Pomona, Canicola and Hardjo) in the rodent population, with L. Copenhageni being the predominant one. This study describes for first time an outbreak of fatal leptospirosis in captive non-human primates in Europe. Our results show that Barbary macaques, an endangered species, are highly susceptible to Leptospira spp. infection, with sympatric wild rodents being the most likely reservoir animals involved in transmission in this outbreak. Our results suggest that rodent control could be an effective measure for minimizing exposure to Leptospira spp. in zoological collections. Given the potential implications for conservation, animal and public health, non-human primates and rodents should be included in surveillance programs for Leptospira spp. in zoos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Beato-Benítez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain.
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - Remigio Martínez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres 10003, Spain
| | - Iratxe Pérez-Cobo
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, 28110 Algete, Madrid, Spain
| | - María José Ruano
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, 28110 Algete, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Guerra
- Centro de Conservación Zoo Córdoba, Córdoba 14071, Spain
| | - Elena Mozos-Mora
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
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Ricardo T, Azócar-Aedo LI, Previtali MA, Monti G. Seroprevalence of pathogenic Leptospira serogroups in asymptomatic domestic dogs and cats: systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1301959. [PMID: 38435371 PMCID: PMC10904519 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1301959] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease transmitted by contact with the urine of animals infected with pathogenic species of the bacteria Leptospira or by contact with environments contaminated with the bacteria. Domestic dogs and cats may act as reservoirs or as sentinels of environmental contamination with leptospires, posing a public health concern. There is a great diversity of leptospires, and one common way to classify them is into serogroups that provide some information on the host species they are associated with. The aims of this study were: (1) to quantitatively summarize the overall prevalence and serogroup-specific prevalence of antibodies against pathogenic leptospires in asymptomatic dogs and cats and (2) to identify environmental and host characteristics that may affect the prevalence. Three electronic databases and the reference lists of eligible articles were screened, for epidemiological studies conducted between the years 2012-2022. We estimated overall and serogroup-specific prevalence using three-level meta-analysis models and assessed potential sources of heterogeneity by moderator analysis and meta-regression. Eighty-four studies met the inclusion criteria (dog studies 66.7%, cat studies 26.2%, and both species 7.1%). There were significant differences between dogs and cats in the overall prevalence model (P < 0.001), but not in the serogroup-specific model (P>0.05). In dogs, the prevalence of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Canicola was significantly higher than the other pathogenic serogroups (P < 0.001), while in cats there were no significant differences among serogroups (P = 0.373). Moderator analysis showed that the prevalence of L. kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa was significantly higher in stray/sheltered dogs than in domiciled dogs (P = 0.028). These results suggest that pathogenic serogroups associated with small mammals are circulating among asymptomatic pets and should be taken into account in the transmission cycle of leptospires, as well as in the standard MAT panel for diagnosis in dogs and cats. It also highlights the importance of including both dogs and cats as potential reservoirs when conducting eco-epidemiological studies in different geographical and ecological areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Ricardo
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
- Dpto. de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias (FHUC), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Lucía Isabel Azócar-Aedo
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Naturaleza, Universidad San Sebastián, Sede de la Patagonia, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - María Andrea Previtali
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
- Dpto. de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias (FHUC), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Monti
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Andityas M, Nuraini DM, Sota P, Loong SK, Sripa B, Sukon P, Tangkawattana P, Tangkawattana S. Feline leptospirosis prevalence worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic approaches. Vet World 2024; 17:255-272. [PMID: 38595668 PMCID: PMC11000471 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.255-272] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Leptospirosis in felids (domestic and wild cats) presents an ongoing challenge in our understanding. Numerous studies have reported the detection of Leptospira spp. in these feline populations, highlighting their potential as zoonotic carriers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide insight into the global prevalence of leptospirosis in domestic and wild cats. Materials and Methods We conducted extensive searches across five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Protocols guidelines. Random-effect meta-analyses were performed using R software version 4.3.0 to estimate pooled prevalence rates. Subgroup meta-analyses were conducted based on continents, diagnostic methods, sample types, and wildcat genera. Results A total of 71 articles on leptospirosis in domestic cats and 23 articles on leptospirosis in wild cats met the eligibility criteria. Our findings indicated a significantly higher pooled seroprevalence of leptospirosis in domestic cats compared with infection prevalence (9.95% [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.60%-12.54%] vs. 4.62% [95% CI, 2.10%-7.83%], p = 0.01). In contrast, no significant difference was observed in pooled seroprevalence and infection prevalence among wild cats (13.38% [95% CI, 6.25%-21.93%] vs. 2.9% [95% CI, 0.00%-18.91%], p = 0.21). A subgroup meta-analysis of domestic cats revealed significant differences in seroprevalence across continents, sample types, and diagnostic methods. On the contrary, wild cats had no significant differences in any of the subgroups. Conclusion Leptospira spp. have evidently been exposed to both domestic and wild cats, highlighting their potential roles as reservoir hosts for leptospirosis. These findings highlight the importance of considering felids as a possible public health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morsid Andityas
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
- Veterinary Technology Study Program, Department of Bioresources Technology and Veterinary, Vocational College, Universitas Gadjah Mada, 55281, Indonesia
| | - Dian Meididewi Nuraini
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, 57126, Indonesia
| | - Pornphutthachat Sota
- Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis (Southeast Asian Liver Fluke Disease), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Shih Keng Loong
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, Higher Institution Centre of Excellence, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - Banchob Sripa
- Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis (Southeast Asian Liver Fluke Disease), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Peerapol Sukon
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Prasarn Tangkawattana
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Sirikachorn Tangkawattana
- Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis (Southeast Asian Liver Fluke Disease), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
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Díaz EA, Arroyo G, Sáenz C, Mena L, Barragán V. Leptospirosis in horses: Sentinels for a neglected zoonosis? A systematic review. Vet World 2023; 16:2110-2119. [PMID: 38023277 PMCID: PMC10668546 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2110-2119] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Leptospirosis is considered a neglected tropical zoonosis in low-income countries due to surveillance system limitations and non-specificity of symptoms. Humans become infected through direct contact with carrier animals or indirectly through Leptospira-contaminated environments. Conventionally, equines have been considered an uncommon source of leptospirosis, but recent publications in Latin America suggest that their role in the maintenance and dispersion of the bacteria could be more relevant than expected, as horses are susceptible to a wide variety of zoonotic Leptospira spp. from domestic and wild animals with which they share the environment. A systematic review of the published literature was conducted to compile the available information on Leptospira spp. in Ecuador, with a special focus on equine leptospirosis, to better understand the epidemiology of the bacterium and identify possible knowledge gaps. Materials and Methods A systematic review of the published literature was conducted in PubMed, SciELO and Web of Science databases to compile the available information on Leptospira spp. in Ecuador, with a special focus on equine leptospirosis, to better understand the epidemiology of the bacterium. We used a combination of the terms (Leptospira OR Leptospirosis) AND Ecuador, without restrictions on language or publication date. Results Our literature review reveals that published scientific information is very scarce. Eighteen full-text original scientific articles related to Leptospira or leptospirosis cases in Ecuador were included in the systematic review. Most of the studies reported data obtained from one of the four regions (Coast), and specifically from only one of the 24 Provinces of Ecuador (Manabí), which evidence a large information bias at the geographical level. Furthermore, only the studies focused on humans included clinical signs of leptospirosis and there is only one study that analyzes the presence of Leptospira spp. in water or soil as a risk factor for pathogen transmission. Finally, only one study investigated Leptospira in horses. Conclusion Since sentinel species can provide useful data on infectious diseases when epidemiologic al information is lacking, and horses could be considered excellent sentinel species to reveal circulating serovars, we propose developing a nationwide surveillance system using horses. This cost-effective epidemiological survey method provides a baseline for implementing specific prevention and control programs in Ecuador and neighboring developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo A. Díaz
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego Robles, Quito, 170157, Ecuador
| | - Gabriela Arroyo
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego Robles, Quito, 170157, Ecuador
| | - Carolina Sáenz
- Hospital de Fauna Silvestre Tueri, Instituto iBIOTROP, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego Robles, Quito, 170157, Ecuador
| | - Luis Mena
- Carrera de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Pecuarias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo ESPOCH, Riobamba, 060155, Ecuador
| | - Verónica Barragán
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Instituto de Microbiología, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego Robles, Quito, 170157, Ecuador
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Bradley EA, Lockaby G. Leptospirosis and the Environment: A Review and Future Directions. Pathogens 2023; 12:1167. [PMID: 37764975 PMCID: PMC10538202 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance with significant morbidity and mortality. However, the disease is frequently overlooked and underdiagnosed, leading to uncertainty of the true scale and severity of the disease. A neglected tropical disease, leptospirosis disproportionately impacts disadvantaged socioeconomic communities most vulnerable to outbreaks of zoonotic disease, due to contact with infectious animals and contaminated soils and waters. With growing evidence that Leptospira survives, persists, and reproduces in the environment, this paper reviews the current understanding of the pathogen in the environment and highlights the unknowns that are most important for future study. Through a systematic Boolean review of the literature, our study finds that detailed field-based study of Leptospira prevalence, survival, and transmission in natural waters and soils is lacking from the current literature. This review identified a strong need for assessment of physical characteristics and biogeochemical processes that support long-term viability of Leptospira in the environment followed by epidemiological assessment of the transmission and movement of the same strains of Leptospira in the present wildlife and livestock as the first steps in improving our understanding of the environmental stage of the leptospirosis transmission cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Bradley
- College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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Ricardo T, Azócar-Aedo L, Signorini M, Previtali MA. Leptospiral infection in domestic cats: Systematic review with meta-analysis. Prev Vet Med 2023; 212:105851. [PMID: 36706556 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.105851] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The role of domestic cats in the transmission of Leptospira is controversial, being considered either as a protective factor or a potential source of infection for humans. The aims of this study were to obtain an integrated estimate of the prevalence of leptospiral infection in domestic cats, and to characterize those individuals most susceptible to infection. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, five electronic databases, as well as the reference lists of eligible reports were screened for observational studies published during 1979-2022. The overall prevalence of leptospiral antibodies and of pathogenic Leptospira in kidney/urine was estimated using three-level meta-analysis models. To investigate potential sources of heterogeneity, moderator analyses was performed using the sampling year, health status, living environment, and origin of the cats. The odds-ratio (OR) of potential risk factors was estimated using random-effects meta-analysis models for binary outcomes. The literature search identified 61 eligible publications, containing 114 effect estimates. The overall seroprevalence was 11.7 % (95 % CI: 9.3-14.6 %), the prevalence of leptospires in urine was 3.7 % (95 % CI: 1.7-8.1 %), and the prevalence of leptospires in kidney tissue was 12.8 % (95 % CI: 3.2-39.9 %). There were no significant differences in the estimated prevalence after removing articles with medium risk of bias. Seroprevalence was higher in Europe when compared to Latin America and the Caribbean (P = 0.047) and showed a mild decrease over time (P = 0.023). Outdoor cats had almost three times greater probabilities of infection with Leptospira (OR: 2.74, 95 % CI: 1.10-6.84). No other significant effect was detected among the tested moderators or potential risk factors (P > 0.05). Results suggest that feline leptospirosis should receive particular attention in veterinary care, as exposure to leptospires can occur in approximately 1 in every 10 cats, and more frequently in cats with street access. Domestic cats should be considered as potential Leptospira carriers when designing public health strategies for the control and prevention of leptospirosis. Further investigation is required to improve knowledge of the role of these animals in the environmental transmission cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Ricardo
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Colectora Ruta Nac. Nº 168, Km. 0, Paraje El Pozo, Santa Fe, Argentina; Dpto. de Cs. Naturales, Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Lucía Azócar-Aedo
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Naturaleza, Universidad San Sebastián, Sede de la Patagonia, Chile
| | - Marcelo Signorini
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Colectora Ruta Nac. Nº 168, Km. 0, Paraje El Pozo, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, R.P. Kreder 2805, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María Andrea Previtali
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Colectora Ruta Nac. Nº 168, Km. 0, Paraje El Pozo, Santa Fe, Argentina; Dpto. de Cs. Naturales, Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Mazzotta E, Bellinati L, Bertasio C, Boniotti MB, Lucchese L, Ceglie L, Martignago F, Leopardi S, Natale A. Synanthropic and Wild Animals as Sentinels of Zoonotic Agents: A Study of Leptospira Genotypes Circulating in Northeastern Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3783. [PMID: 36900793 PMCID: PMC10000914 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease widely reported in veterinary practice and a worldwide zoonosis. In Northeastern Italy, different serogroups and genotypes of Leptospira have been described in ill dogs, the most commonly detected being Icterohaemorragiae (ICT) ST 17, Australis (AUS) ST 24 and ST 198, Pomona (POM) ST 117 and ST 289, and Sejroe (SEJ) ST 155. However, there is little information available on the environmental exposure to Leptospira of wild and synanthropic animals. The aim of this study was to identify the circulating genotypes in potential reservoirs to fill this gap of knowledge. Between 2015 and 2022, 681 animal carcasses collected by the Public Veterinary Service were analyzed for Leptospira with a real-time PCR-based screening test, while positive samples were genotyped by multi-locus sequence typing analysis. To carry out our study, we tested 330 hedgehogs, 105 red foxes, 108 Norway rats, 79 mice, 22 coypus, 10 bank voles, 13 grey wolves, 5 common shrews and 9 greater mouse-eared bats. Five sequence types (STs) common in dogs were also found in wild animals: ST 24, ST 198, ST 17 and ST 155 in hedgehogs, ST 17 and ST 24 in foxes, ST 17 in rats, ST 17 and ST 155 in mice, and ST 117 in a wolf. In addition, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first Italian report of SEJ ST 197 in a bank vole. Furthermore, this study described a previous survey conducted in 2009 on coypus (30 animals from the province of Trento and 41 from the province of Padua), referring to a serological positivity (L. Bratislava) without any molecular detection of Leptospira. This study on Leptospira in synanthropic and wild animals highlighted the importance of increasing our epidemiological knowledge of leptospirosis and its zoonotic risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Mazzotta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Laura Bellinati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Cristina Bertasio
- National Reference Centre for Animal Leptospirosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Boniotti
- National Reference Centre for Animal Leptospirosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Lucchese
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Letizia Ceglie
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Leopardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Alda Natale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
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9
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Acute lethal leptospirosis in a red fox (Vulpesvulpes). J Comp Pathol 2023; 201:77-80. [PMID: 36739678 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic spirochaetes belonging to the genus Leptospira, is a globally distributed zoonosis that can affect many species of domestic and wild animals, and humans. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a native species in Croatia and, due to constant food availability and lack of interspecies competition, is becoming more abundant in urban and suburban areas. Although antibodies for Leptospira spp have been detected in red foxes, lethal disease has not been reported. We necropsied a young, male red fox that had jaundice, multifocal haemorrhages in the heart, lungs and urinary bladder, hepatomegaly, non-congestive splenomegaly and slight yellow discolouration of the renal cortex and medulla. Histology revealed multifocal haemorrhages in parenchymal organs, thrombi within lung septal capillaries and other blood vessels, interstitial lymphocytic and plasmacytic nephritis and erosions of the gastric mucosa. A microscopic agglutination test on the post-mortem cardiac blood clot revealed a high titre to Leptospira interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, which implies contact with rats, which are natural reservoirs of this serovar in Croatia. The gross and histological findings in this fox were similar to those in dogs with leptospirosis, indicating that fatal leptospirosis can occur in foxes and suggesting that this species can act as a source of infection for other animals and humans.
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10
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Mazzotta E, De Zan G, Cocchi M, Boniotti MB, Bertasio C, Furlanello T, Lucchese L, Ceglie L, Bellinati L, Natale A. Feline Susceptibility to Leptospirosis and Presence of Immunosuppressive Co-Morbidities: First European Report of L. interrogans Serogroup Australis Sequence Type 24 in a Cat and Survey of Leptospira Exposure in Outdoor Cats. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8010054. [PMID: 36668961 PMCID: PMC9865706 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8010054] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases and can infect both humans and animals worldwide. The role of the cat as a susceptible host and potential environmental reservoir of Leptospira is still not well understood, due to the lack of obvious clinical signs associated with Leptospira spp. infection in this species. This study aims to describe the first European detection of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis ST 24 in a young outdoor cat with a severe comorbidity (feline panleukopenia virus). In addition, the results of a preliminary study conducted in 2014-2016 are presented (RC IZSVE 16/12), which reports an investigation of Leptospira exposure of outdoor cats in Northeast Italy by means of serological investigation and molecular evaluation of urine. The animals included in the survey are part of samples collected during active and passive surveillance (diagnostic samples). The study reported a seroprevalence of 10.5% among outdoor cats and the serogroups identified were Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Bratislava, Canicola and Ballum. Symptomatic cats reported high MAT titres (ranging from 1:800 to 1:1600) towards antigens belonging to the serovars Grippotyphosa (1:800), Bratislava (1:1600), Icterohaemorrhagiae (1:200) and Copenhageni (1:200-1:800). In one subject, urine tested positive for Leptospira PCR. Cats with high antibody titres for Leptospira and/or positivity on molecular test suffered from immunosuppressive comorbidities (feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus; feline herpesvirus and lymphoma; hyperthyroidism). The overall prevalence of serum antibodies against Leptospira found in free-ranging cats (10.53%, 95% CI: 4.35-16.70%) and the identification of L. interrogans ST 24 in a young cat with immunosuppressive disease (feline panleukopenia virus) suggest the possibility of natural resistance to clinical leptospirosis in healthy cats. In a One Health perspective, further studies are needed to better define the pathogenesis of leptospirosis in cats and their epidemiological role as environmental sentinels or possible carriers of pathogenic Leptospira.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Mazzotta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
- Correspondence: (E.M.); (G.D.Z.); Tel.: +39-0498084461 (E.M.)
| | - Gabrita De Zan
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
- Correspondence: (E.M.); (G.D.Z.); Tel.: +39-0498084461 (E.M.)
| | - Monia Cocchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - Tommaso Furlanello
- Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory San Marco, Viale dell’Industria, 35030 Veggiano, Italy
| | - Laura Lucchese
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Letizia Ceglie
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Laura Bellinati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Alda Natale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
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11
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Arzamani K, Abdollahpour G, Azimian A, van Belkum A, Ghasemzadeh‐Moghaddam H. High‐level seroprevalence against
Leptospira interrogans
serovars among wild foxes, jackals and stray dogs in the North Khorasan Province, Iran. Vet Med Sci 2022; 8:1915-1921. [PMID: 35840123 PMCID: PMC9514457 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.890] [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] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusions
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourosh Arzamani
- Vector‐Borne Disease Research Center North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences Bojnurd Iran
| | - Gholamreza Abdollahpour
- Leptospira Research Laboratory Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Department of Internal Medicine University of Tehran Tehran Iran
| | - Amir Azimian
- Department of Pathobiology and Laboratory Sciences North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences Bojnurd Iran
| | - Alex van Belkum
- Open Innovation & Partnerships BaseClear Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Hamed Ghasemzadeh‐Moghaddam
- Vector‐Borne Disease Research Center North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences Bojnurd Iran
- Department of Pathobiology and Laboratory Sciences North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences Bojnurd Iran
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12
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Alić A, Šupić J, Goletić T, Rešidbegović E, Lutvikadić I, Hodžić A. A Unique Case of Fatal Coinfection Caused by Leptospira spp. and Hepatozoon canis in a Red Fox Cub ( Vulpes vulpes). Pathogens 2021; 11:pathogens11010011. [PMID: 35055959 PMCID: PMC8777892 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11010011] [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: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Red foxes are the most abundant wild carnivore species in Europe commonly exposed to pathogenic Leptospira and Hepatozoon canis. Despite high seroprevalence, the clinical disease caused by these pathogens in red foxes has never been reported. Herein, we report the first-ever case of a fatal Leptospira spp. and H. canis coinfection in a two-month-old red fox cub with acute haemolytic anaemia, mild bronchopneumonia, intraalveolar haemorrhage, and tubulonephrosis. The presence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. DNA was detected in the kidney and lung tissues of the infected animal. In contrast to our previous knowledge, we believe that such fatal cases due to concomitant infection by Leptospira spp. and H. canis, especially in young animals, may commonly occur in nature. However, further studies are required to identify other factors that possibly contribute to the severity and the pathogenic effect of Leptospira spp. and H. canis infections in red foxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Alić
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +387-33-729-133
| | - Jovana Šupić
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
| | - Teufik Goletić
- Department of Avian Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (T.G.); (E.R.)
| | - Emina Rešidbegović
- Department of Avian Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (T.G.); (E.R.)
| | - Ismar Lutvikadić
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
| | - Adnan Hodžić
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
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13
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SEROSURVEY FOR SELECTED PARASITIC AND BACTERIAL PATHOGENS IN DARWIN'S FOX (LYCALOPEX FULVIPES): NOT ONLY DOG DISEASES ARE A THREAT. J Wildl Dis 2021; 58:76-85. [PMID: 34714909 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-21-00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The Darwin's fox (Lycalopex fulvipes) is one of the most endangered carnivores worldwide, with the risk of disease spillover from domestic dogs being a major conservation threat. However, lack of epidemiologic information about generalist, non-dog-transmission-dependent protozoal and bacterial pathogens may be a barrier for disease prevention and management. To determine the exposure of some of these agents in Darwin's fox populations, 54 serum samples were collected from 47 Darwin's foxes in Southern Chile during 2013-18 and assessed for the presence of antibodies against Brucella abortus, Brucella canis, Coxiella burnetii, pathogenic Leptospira (serovars Grippotyphosa, Pomona, Canicola, Hardjo, and Copehageni), Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum. The highest seroprevalence was detected for T. gondii (78%), followed by pathogenic Leptospira (14%). All the studied Leptospira serovars were confirmed in at least one animal. Two foxes seroconverted to Leptospira and one to T. gondii during the study period. No seroconversions were observed for the other pathogens. No risk factors, either intrinsic (sex, age) or extrinsic (season, year, and degree of landscape anthropization), were associated with the probability of being exposed to T. gondii. Our results indicate that T. gondii exposure is widespread in the Darwin's fox population, including in areas with minimal anthropization, and that T. gondii and pathogenic Leptospira might be neglected threats to the species. Further studies identifying the causes of morbidity and mortality in Darwin's fox are needed to determine if these or other pathogens are having individual or population-wide effects in this species.
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14
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Žele-Vengušt D, Lindtner-Knific R, Mlakar-Hrženjak N, Jerina K, Vengušt G. Exposure of Free-Ranging Wild Animals to Zoonotic Leptospira interrogans Sensu Stricto in Slovenia. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092722. [PMID: 34573688 PMCID: PMC8468819 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Wildlife can serve as a reservoir for highly contagious and deadly diseases, many of which are infectious to domestic animals and/or humans. Wildlife pathogen and disease surveillance is, thus, an essential tool that can provide valuable information on population health status and protect human health. Blood samples from 244 wild animals and 5 from carcasses were tested for specific antibodies against Leptospira serovars in Slovenia between 2019 and 2020 using the microscopic agglutination test. The results confirm that various wildlife species were exposed to Leptospira interrogans and may be used as a sentinel for leptospirosis, which is considered a significant health threat to other wildlife species and to humans. Abstract A total of 249 serum samples from 13 wild animal species namely fallow deer (Dama dama, n = 1), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus, n = 80), red deer (Cervus elaphus, n = 22), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra, n = 21), mouflon (Ovis musimon, n = 4), brown hare (Lepus europaeus, n = 2), nutria (Myocastor coypus, n = 1), red fox (Vulpes vulpes, n = 97), stone marten (Martes foina, n = 12), European badger (Meles meles, n = 2), golden jackal (Canis aureus, n = 2) Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx, n = 2) and grey wolf (Canis lupus, n = 3) were analysed for the presence of antibodies against Leptospira interrogans sensu stricto. Serum samples were examined via the microscopic agglutination test for the presence of specific antibodies against Leptospira serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae, Bratislava, Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Sejroe, Australis, Autumnalis, Canicola, Saxkoebing and Tarassovi. Antibodies to at least one of the pathogenic serovars were detected in 77 (30.9%; CI = 25–37%) sera. The proportion of positive samples varied intraspecifically and was the biggest in large carnivores (lynx, wolf and jackal; 86%), followed by mezzo predators: stone marten (67%) and red fox (34%), and large herbivores: red deer (32%), roe deer (25%), alpine chamois (10%) and mouflon (0%). Out of the 77 positive samples, 42 samples (53.8%) had positive titres against a single serovar, while 35 (45.4%) samples had positive titres against two or more serovars. The most frequently detected antibodies were those against the serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae. The present study confirmed the presence of multiple pathogenic serovars in wildlife throughout Slovenia. It can be concluded that wild animals are reservoirs for at least some of the leptospiral serovars and are a potential source of leptospirosis for other wild and domestic animals, as well as for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Žele-Vengušt
- Institute of Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Renata Lindtner-Knific
- Institute of Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals and Reptiles, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.L.-K.); (N.M.-H.)
| | - Nina Mlakar-Hrženjak
- Institute of Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals and Reptiles, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.L.-K.); (N.M.-H.)
| | - Klemen Jerina
- Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, Biotechnical Faculty, Večna pot 83, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Gorazd Vengušt
- Institute of Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-4779-196
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15
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Millán J, Becker DJ. Patterns of Exposure and Infection with Microparasites in Iberian Wild Carnivores: A Review and Meta-Analysis. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2708. [PMID: 34573674 PMCID: PMC8469010 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092708] [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: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We use a suite of meta-analytic and comparative methods to derive fundamental insights into how sampling effort, pathogen richness, infection prevalence, and seroprevalence vary across Carnivora taxa and Iberian geography. The red fox was the most studied species, the wolf and Iberian lynx were disproportionally studied, and the Arctoidea were understudied. Sampling effort was higher in Mediterranean areas, but central Spain showed the higher pathogen richness. Excluding studies analyzing fecal samples, 53 different pathogens have been detected in Iberian carnivores, including 16 viruses, 27 bacteria, and 10 protozoa but no fungi. Sampling effort and pathogen diversity were generally more similar among closely related carnivore species. Seropositivity to viruses was lower and higher in the Mustelinae and the Canidae, respectively, and seropositivity to protozoa was higher in both taxa. Canine distemper virus exposure was greatest in canids and mustelids. Carnivore protoparvovirus-1 exposure was greatest in the Atlantic regions, and the Felidae and the Musteloidea had lower infection prevalence. A subclade of the Mustelidae had a greater prevalence of Leishmania infection. We observed no relationships between host phylogenetic distance and pathogen sharing among species. Lastly, we identify important research pitfalls and future directions to improve the study of infectious disease in Iberian wild carnivore communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Fundación ARAID, Avda. Ranillas 1, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Daniel J. Becker
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA;
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16
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Costanzi L, Brambilla A, Di Blasio A, Dondo A, Goria M, Masoero L, Gennero MS, Bassano B. Beware of dogs! Domestic animals as a threat for wildlife conservation in Alpine protected areas. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2021; 67:70. [PMID: 34276270 PMCID: PMC8276201 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-021-01510-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Diseases are natural regulating factors of wildlife populations, but some pathogens may become an important threat in wildlife conservation, especially for endangered species. The presence of domestic animals may foster the spread of diseases in natural population, although their role in the dynamic of infections in wildlife is not clear. In this study, we investigated the presence and prevalence of a range of multi-host pathogens in wild species (red fox, Eurasian badger, beech marten, pine marten, stoat for a total of 89 carcasses analysed) and domestic animals (n = 52 shepherd and n = 25 companion dogs) living in a protected area of the Alps (the Gran Paradiso National Park) and discussed the role of domestic dogs as possible source of infection for wild species. Our results showed that domestic dogs are potential shedder of three important pathogens: Canine distemper virus, Toxoplasma sp. and Neospora caninum. In particular, shepherd dogs seem to represent a threat for wildlife as they are exposed to multiple pathogens because of free-roaming, scavenging lifestyles and close proximity to livestock. However, also companion dogs more subject to veterinary care may foster the spread of pathogens. Our results highlight the importance of regulating the access of domestic dogs to protected areas that aim at preserving biodiversity and enhancing the conservation of endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Costanzi
- Alpine Wildlife Research Centre, Gran Paradiso National Park, Fraz Jamonin 5, 10080 Noasca, TO Italy
| | - Alice Brambilla
- Alpine Wildlife Research Centre, Gran Paradiso National Park, Fraz Jamonin 5, 10080 Noasca, TO Italy
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Wintherturerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alessia Di Blasio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle D’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, TO Italy
- A.S.L. TO3 - Azienda Sanitaria Locale Di Collegno E Pinerolo TO3, Via Martiri XXX Aprile 30, 10093 Collegno, TO Italy
| | - Alessandro Dondo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle D’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, TO Italy
| | - Maria Goria
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle D’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, TO Italy
| | - Loretta Masoero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle D’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, TO Italy
| | - Maria Silvia Gennero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle D’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, TO Italy
| | - Bruno Bassano
- Alpine Wildlife Research Centre, Gran Paradiso National Park, Fraz Jamonin 5, 10080 Noasca, TO Italy
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17
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Galarce N, de la Fuente S, Escobar B, Dettleff P, Abalos P, Hormazábal JC, Flores R, Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Martínez V. Survey of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in Native Foxes in Central Chile: First Record of Brucella canis Exposure. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11071980. [PMID: 34359107 PMCID: PMC8300164 DOI: 10.3390/ani11071980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Wild canids play a crucial role in the environment, being an ecological agent of flora dispersal, top predators, and environmental sentinels for zoonotic emerging pathogens, such as Brucella spp. and pathogenic Leptospira. In Chile, three species of non-domestic native canids are present, and due to the growing concern about their interaction with humans and domestic animals, it is of utmost relevance to determine the role of these animals in the epidemiology of brucellosis and leptospirosis. This study aimed to detect the exposure to B. abortus, B. canis, and pathogenic Leptospira by serologic, bacteriologic, and molecular techniques in native foxes from rehabilitation and exhibition centers in Central Chile. Forty-six blood samples were obtained from culpeo and grey foxes, detecting exposure to B. canis and L. Javanica in 10.9% and 7.7%, respectively. Exposure was not registered by culture and qPCR in any of the sampled animals. Our results show for the first time in Chile exposure to B. canis in native foxes, highlighting the need to establish integrated surveillance programs to better evaluate the role of wild animals in the epidemiology of emerging zoonotic pathogens that may affect One Health. Abstract Brucella abortus, B. canis, and pathogenic Leptospira are zoonotic pathogens that infect humans, as well as domestic and wild animals. In wild canids, they may affect their fertility and reproduction, threatening their conservation. Wild canids play a crucial role in the environment as meso- and top-predators and environmental sentinels for zoonotic pathogens. In Chile, three species of wild canids are present, and due to changes in land use and environmental dynamics, it is of utmost relevance to determine the role of these species in the epidemiology of brucellosis and leptospirosis. This study aimed to detect the exposure to B. abortus, B. canis, and pathogenic Leptospira by serologic, bacteriologic, and molecular techniques in native foxes from rehabilitation and exhibition centers in Central Chile. Forty-six blood samples were obtained from Lycalopex culpaeus and L. griseus, detecting 10.9% of seropositivity to B. canis and 7.7% to L. Javanica. No seropositivity was seen for B. abortus. Exposure was not registered by culture and qPCR in any of the sampled animals. Our findings are the first register of exposure to any Brucella species in wild canids in Chile and highlight the need to establish surveillance programs of these emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Galarce
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (N.G.); (S.d.l.F.); (B.E.); (P.A.)
| | - Sebastián de la Fuente
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (N.G.); (S.d.l.F.); (B.E.); (P.A.)
| | - Beatriz Escobar
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (N.G.); (S.d.l.F.); (B.E.); (P.A.)
| | - Phillip Dettleff
- Departamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile;
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de las Américas, Sede la Florida, Santiago 8242125, Chile
| | - Pedro Abalos
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (N.G.); (S.d.l.F.); (B.E.); (P.A.)
| | - Juan Carlos Hormazábal
- Subdepartamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago 7780050, Chile; (J.C.H.); (R.F.)
| | - Roberto Flores
- Subdepartamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago 7780050, Chile; (J.C.H.); (R.F.)
| | - Nicole Sallaberry-Pincheira
- Unidad de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 8370146, Chile;
| | - Víctor Martínez
- Departamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile;
- Correspondence:
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Kakita T, Kuba Y, Kyan H, Okano S, Morita M, Koizumi N. Molecular and serological epidemiology of Leptospira infection in cats in Okinawa Island, Japan. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10365. [PMID: 33990653 PMCID: PMC8121857 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89872-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. Cats have been reported to be infected with Leptospira spp. and shed the bacteria in the urine. However, the importance of cats as an infection source for humans remains unclear. In this study, Leptospira infection in cats in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, where leptospirosis is endemic, was investigated by leptospiral antibody and DNA detection using microscopic agglutination test and nested PCR, respectively. Moreover, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) were conducted on the Leptospira borgpetersenii serogroup Javanica isolated from cats, black rats, a mongoose, and humans. Anti-Leptospira antibodies were detected in 16.6% (40/241) of the cats tested, and the predominant reactive serogroup was Javanica. The leptospiral flaB gene was detected in 7.1% (3/42) of cat urine samples, and their sequences were identical and identified as L. borgpetersenii. MLST and WGS revealed the genetic relatedness of L. borgpetersenii serogroup Javanica isolates. This study indicated that most seropositive cats had antibodies against the serogroup Javanica and that cats excreted L. borgpetersenii in the urine after infection. Further, genetic relatedness between cat and human isolates suggests that cats may be a maintenance host for L. borgpetersenii serogroup Javanica and a source for human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Kakita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, 17-1 Kanekadan, Uruma-shi, Okinawa, 904-2241, Japan.
| | - Yumani Kuba
- Department of Biological Sciences, Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, 17-1 Kanekadan, Uruma-shi, Okinawa, 904-2241, Japan
| | - Hisako Kyan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, 17-1 Kanekadan, Uruma-shi, Okinawa, 904-2241, Japan
| | - Sho Okano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, 17-1 Kanekadan, Uruma-shi, Okinawa, 904-2241, Japan
- Regional Health Division, Department of Public Health and Medical Care, Okinawa Prefectural Government, 1-2-2 Izumizaki, Naha-shi, Okinawa, 900-8570, Japan
| | - Masatomo Morita
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Disease, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Nobuo Koizumi
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Disease, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
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Environmental Exposure of Wild Carnivores to Zoonotic Pathogens: Leptospira Infection in the First Free Living Wolf ( Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) Found Dead in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18052512. [PMID: 33802554 PMCID: PMC7967383 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide-spread zoonosis causing disease and death in dogs and in humans. A Leptospiral infection has been recorded in several wild carnivore species in Europe, but tissue pathological changes were not commonly described. The Grey wolf (Canis lupus) has been expanding its distribution range in north-eastern Italy during the last decade. A young wolf, representing the first individual handled in the region, was found road-killed and then submitted to necropsy. Pathological changes included erosive lesions of gingival mucosa, mild liver enlargement, and multifocal degenerative-necrotic areas along with hyperemic reactive lesions; multifocal interstitial nephritis and multifocal lung hemorrhages were observed. A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) able to detect pathogenic species of Leptospira performed on a kidney sample was positive. Serological reactions for serogroup Gryppotyphosa (1:6400), Pomona (1:800), and Icterohaemorrhagiae (1:200) were evidenced by MAT. Genotyping by Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) performed on detected Leptospira characterized it as belonging to Sequence Type (ST) 117, which refers to L. kirschneri, serogroup Pomona, serovar Mozdok. Regardless of the role of Leptospira infection as an eventual predisposing factor to the road killing of this wolf, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of Leptospira-induced pathology in a wolf in Europe. Surveys on Leptospira infection in free-ranging wildlife species should be pursued in order to achieve further epidemiological knowledge on the circulation of the Leptospira strain.
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Cilia G, Bertelloni F, Albini S, Fratini F. Insight into the Epidemiology of Leptospirosis: A Review of Leptospira Isolations from "Unconventional" Hosts. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:191. [PMID: 33466962 PMCID: PMC7830643 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging worldwide zoonotic disease. Even though the primary serological test for diagnosis and surveying is the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), isolation remains the gold-standard test to detect Leptospira infections. The leptospirosis transmission is linked to maintenance and accidental hosts. In the epidemiology of Leptospira some serovar are strictly related to specific maintenance hosts; however, in recent years, the bacterium was isolated from an even wider spectrum of species. The aim of this review is to report the isolation of Leptospira strains in animals which could be recognized as "unconventional" hosts, analyzing studies from 1960 to 2020 that highlighted the Leptospira isolation. This scientific literature aimed to provide evidence of infection in several animal species including of the Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, Rodentia, Cetacea, Cingulata, Afrosoricida, Chiroptera and Primate orders, as well as in Reptilia and Amphibia classes. In conclusion, the spreading of Leptospira is attention-worthy because the infection could occur in all the animal species ranging in a specific area. Further screening and isolations are needed to collect all necessary data to gain a complete understanding of leptospirosis epidemiology and its modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabrizio Bertelloni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (S.A.); (F.F.)
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21
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Alfaro MAS, Raffo E, Bustos MI, Tomckowiack C, Tejeda C, Collado L, Medina-Vogel G. New insights on the infection of pathogenic Leptospira species in American mink (Neovison vison) in southern Chile. Trop Anim Health Prod 2020; 53:2. [PMID: 33196883 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-020-02469-2] [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: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of global distribution, caused by the infection of pathogenic Leptospira, a group of bacteria capable of infecting both domestic and wild animals. Mink (Neovison vison) in southern Chile is recognized as a wild and synanthropic rodent predator (among various other prey), and Leptospira infection in them can be acquired through contact with the pathogen in the environment or by eating infected prey. Thus, the aim of this study was to provide more specifics regarding the source of the infection for the American mink under the conditions of Southern Chile. Minks were captured in the Los Ríos region, southern Chile, in an area with well-developed dairy farming. Two areas were selected for mink trapping, one with a high degree of dairy farming and a second with a low degree of dairy farming. Within them, 16 study sites were visited, and 45 American mink were trapped and euthanized to obtain kidney tissue and blood serum samples for bacteria isolation and determination of antibodies titers, respectively. Molecular characterization of the isolated strains was performed. Three minks from sites of high-dairy farming industry and only one from sites with low-degree dairy farming were detected as infected through molecular confirmation. This study shows evidence that confirms previous findings made in southern Chile, regarding mink as host of Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo-prajitno associated to cattle-farming areas. However, typing information ( Leptospira interrogans Copenhageni and Icterohaemorrhagiae ) suggests that the consumption of rodents may also be a potential source of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Angel Salgado Alfaro
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
| | - Eduardo Raffo
- Servicio Agrícola Ganadero; Región de los Ríos, Valdivia, Chile
| | - María Isabel Bustos
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Camilo Tomckowiack
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Carlos Tejeda
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Luis Collado
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
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Girio RJS, de Andrade-Cruvinel TM, Vasconcellos SA, Repetti CSF, Friolani M, Bueno PCDS, Felix M, Teixeira DDB. Serological survey and DNA screening of Leptospira spp. in free-living adult tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella nigritus) in a forest reserve Southeast São Paulo State, Brazil. J Med Primatol 2020; 50:3-8. [PMID: 32876344 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis is an important anthropozoonosis. The study investigated the presence of anti-Leptospira antibodies and detection of Leptospira spp DNA in the urine as well as the biochemical profile in Neotropical wild primates living in a forest reserve from Southeast São Paulo State, Brazil. METHODS Blood samples were obtained from 50 adult tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella nigritus). Urine samples were obtained only from male primates. The screening for antibodies against Leptospira spp was evaluated by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Leptospira DNA in the urine was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) considering the target gene LipL32. Biochemical profile was evaluated by using a spectrophotometer. RESULTS The MAT results included 39 (78%) serum reactive animals with the proportions of 28/39 males and 11/39 females. The most frequent reactive serogroups were Icterohemorrhagiae, Canicola, and Autumnalis. All urine samples were negative for leptospiral DNA. There were no significant differences between sexes for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase values, but alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, glucose, and urea were significantly higher in males. CONCLUSIONS Tufted capuchin monkeys were sera reactive against leptospirosis. Prevalence was similar for the 2 sexes. Leptospiral DNA was not detected in the urine of sera reactive primates tested by the MAT method. ALT, creatinine, glucose, and urea values were higher in male animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Milena Friolani
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Marília University, Marília, Brazil
| | | | - Marcílio Felix
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Marília University, Marília, Brazil
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23
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Exotic Pets as a Vector for Leptospirosis. INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1097/ipc.0000000000000841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Coppola F, Cilia G, Bertelloni F, Casini L, D'Addio E, Fratini F, Cerri D, Felicioli A. Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata L.): A New Potential Host for Pathogenic Leptospira Among Semi-Fossorial Mammals. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 70:101472. [PMID: 32208192 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Wildlife plays a pivot role in the epidemiology of leptospirosis and rodents have a reservoir function for several Leptospira serogroups. The crested porcupine is the largest rodent of the Italian fauna and shares the same environment with red foxes, badgers, coypus and wild boars that are known to be infected by Leptospira. Between 2018 and 2019 the seroprevalence of Leptospira in crested porcupine was investigated for the first time. Overall 7 out of 14 sera (50 %) were found positive to Leptospira. Icterohaemorrhagiae resulted as the most detected serogroup (57 %) followed by Pomona, Australis and Sejroe. The highest titer (1:1600) was detected for the serogroup Australis. These results indicate that porcupines could be infected by several serogroup of Leptospira and the role of reservoir or accidental host need to be addressed. Further investigations are necessary in order to clarify the leptospirosis - epidemiology - wildlife framework in light of its potential zoonotic source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Coppola
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cilia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bertelloni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Casini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Filippo Fratini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Domenico Cerri
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Felicioli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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25
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Murillo A, Cuenca R, Serrano E, Marga G, Ahmed A, Cervantes S, Caparrós C, Vieitez V, Ladina A, Pastor J. Leptospira Detection in Cats in Spain by Serology and Molecular Techniques. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E1600. [PMID: 32121670 PMCID: PMC7084519 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17051600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is the most neglected widespread zoonosis worldwide. In Spain, leptospirosis reports in people and animals have increased lately. Cats can become infected with Leptospira, as well as be chronic carriers. The aim of this study was to determine serological antibody prevalence against Leptospira sp., blood DNA, and shedding of DNA from pathogenic Leptospira species in the urine of cats in Spain. Microagglutination tests (MAT) and blood and urine TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed. Leptospira antibodies were detected in 10/244 cats; with 4.1% positive results (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1-7.18%). Titers ranged from 1:20 to 1:320 (serovars Ballum; Bataviae; Bratislava; Cynopteri; Grippotyphosa Mandemakers; Grippotyphosa Moskva; Pomona; and Proechimys). The most common serovar was Cynopteri. Blood samples from 1/89 cats amplified for Leptospira DNA (1.12%; 95% CI: 0.05-5.41%). Urine samples from 4/232 cats amplified for Leptospira DNA (1.72%; 95% CI: 0.55-4.10%). In conclusion free-roaming cats in Spain can shed pathogenic Leptospira DNA in their urine and may be a source of human infection. Serovars not previously described in cats in Spain were detected; suggesting the presence of at least 4 different species of pathogenic leptospires in the country (L. borgpetersenii; L. interrogans; L. kirschneri; and L. noguchii).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Murillo
- Department de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona (UAB), CP 08193 Bellaterra, Espana; (R.C.); (J.P.)
| | - Rafaela Cuenca
- Department de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona (UAB), CP 08193 Bellaterra, Espana; (R.C.); (J.P.)
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), CP 08193 Bellaterra, Espana;
| | - Goris Marga
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis (NRL), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Medical Microbiology, Meibergdreef 39, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (G.M.); (A.A.)
| | - Ahmed Ahmed
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis (NRL), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Medical Microbiology, Meibergdreef 39, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (G.M.); (A.A.)
| | | | - Cristina Caparrós
- Clínica Felina Barcelona, CP 08015 Barcelona, Espana; (S.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Verónica Vieitez
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, CP 10003 Cáceres, Espana; (V.V.); (A.L.)
| | - Andrea Ladina
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, CP 10003 Cáceres, Espana; (V.V.); (A.L.)
| | - Josep Pastor
- Department de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona (UAB), CP 08193 Bellaterra, Espana; (R.C.); (J.P.)
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26
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Murillo A, Goris M, Ahmed A, Cuenca R, Pastor J. Leptospirosis in cats: Current literature review to guide diagnosis and management. J Feline Med Surg 2020; 22:216-228. [PMID: 32093581 PMCID: PMC11132596 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x20903601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
GLOBAL IMPORTANCE Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis worldwide. Mammals (eg, rats, horses, cows, pigs, dogs, cats and aquatic species, such as sea lions and northern elephant seals) can all be infected by leptospires. Infection in animals occurs through contact with urine or water contaminated with the bacteria. In people, the disease is acquired mainly from animal sources or through recreational activities in contaminated water. PRACTICAL RELEVANCE Literature on the clinical presentation of leptospirosis in cats is scarce, although it has been demonstrated that cats are susceptible to infection and are capable of developing antibodies. The prevalence of antileptospiral antibodies in cats varies from 4% to 33.3% depending on the geographical location. Urinary shedding of leptospires in naturally infected cats has been reported, with a prevalence of up to 68%. Infection in cats has been associated with the consumption of infected prey, especially rodents. Thus, outdoor cats have a higher risk of becoming infected. CLINICAL CHALLENGES Clinical presentation of this disease in cats is rare and it is not known what role cats have in the transmission of leptospirosis. Ongoing work is needed to characterise feline leptospirosis. AUDIENCE This review is aimed at all veterinarians, both general practitioners who deal with cats on a daily basis in private practice, as well as feline practitioners, since both groups face the challenge of diagnosing and treating infectious and zoonotic diseases. EVIDENCE BASE The current literature on leptospirosis in cats is reviewed. To date, few case reports have been published in the field, and information has mostly been extrapolated from infections in people and dogs. This review is expected to serve as a guide for the diagnosis and management of the disease in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Murillo
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marga Goris
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis (NRL), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Medical Microbiology, Meibergdreef 39, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ahmed Ahmed
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis (NRL), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Medical Microbiology, Meibergdreef 39, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rafaela Cuenca
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Pastor
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
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27
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Fernandes JJ, Araújo Júnior JP, Malossi CD, Ullmann LS, da Costa DF, Silva MLCR, Alves CJ, de Azevedo SS, Higino SSDS. High frequency of seropositive and carriers of Leptospira spp. in pigs in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. Trop Anim Health Prod 2020; 52:2055-2061. [PMID: 32026195 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-020-02203-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Carrier animals are considered key in the transmission cycle of leptospirosis. Although investigations have been carried out on several species, the role of pigs in the epidemiology of the disease is still poorly studied in the semi-arid region. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the presence of Leptospira spp. in the genitourinary tract of pigs intended for slaughter. Fifty pigs were used: adults and unvaccinated. Samples of the kidney, urine, and vaginal fluid were collected for the molecular detection of Leptospira spp. and blood samples for the serological test. The molecular test was performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the serological test was performed with the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Samples with DNA amplification were submitted to genetic sequencing. Twenty (40%) animals were found with anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies, and the majority of the reactions (50%) occurred for the serogroup Tarassovi. Leptospiral DNA was found in the tissue of 11 (22%) pigs. The gene from a urine sample was sequenced and showed similarity to L. borgpetersenii. The results evidenced a high rate of porcine carriers; therefore, they appear to be important sources of agent infection, being potential transmitters of the disease to other animal species and man.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juciê Jales Fernandes
- Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, no number, Santa Cecília, Patos, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Diego Figueiredo da Costa
- Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, no number, Santa Cecília, Patos, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | - Clebert José Alves
- Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, no number, Santa Cecília, Patos, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Sergio Santos de Azevedo
- Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, no number, Santa Cecília, Patos, Paraíba, Brazil
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28
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EVIDENCE OF LEPTOSPIRA SEROVARS IN WILDLIFE AND LEPTOSPIRAL DNA IN WATER SOURCES IN A NATURAL AREA IN EAST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS, USA. J Wildl Dis 2019. [PMID: 31622185 DOI: 10.7589/2019-03-069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We identified seven Leptospira serovars in wildlife and the presence of leptospiral DNA in water sources at a natural area within a fragmented habitat in Illinois, US. These serovars have been implicated in domestic animal and human leptospirosis, a reemerging zoonotic disease, whose reservoirs include wildlife and domestic animals. We live trapped medium-sized mammals (n=351) near building (H-sites) or forest sites (F-sites). Using serology, we evaluated exposure to Leptospira (L. interrogans serovars Autumnalis, Bratislava, Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona; L. kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa; L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo). Using PCR, we tested for the presence of leptospires in eight water samples (ponds, creeks, and rainwater runoff) collected near trapping sites. We identified antibody titers in raccoons (Procyon lotor; 121/221) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana; 60/112), but not in feral cats (Felis catus; 0/18). We found significant differences in overall Leptospira seroprevalence between years (P=0.043) and animal's age in 2008 (P=0.005) and 2009 (P=0.003). Serovars Autumnalis, Bratislava, and Grippotyphosa showed significant differences among age groups with the highest seroprevalence in adults. Females had a higher seroprevalence for Icterohaemorragiae in 2008 (P=0.003) and Hardjo in 2009 (P=0.041). Risk of exposure to Leptospira was higher at F-sites compared to H-sites (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.3-3.9, P=0.002). We captured more animals with titers >1:800 at H-sites, but there was no association between titer levels and capture site. Six of eight water sources were Leptospira-positive; however, there was no correlation between trapping locations of seropositive animals and positive water sources. Natural areas create opportunities for interspecies interactions, favoring leptospires transmission across species. Understanding that Leptospira serovars are present in natural areas is an integral part of the safe human and pet recreational use of these areas. Our study should raise awareness and build on public education designed to prevent disease transmission between species.
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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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Canine distemper virus may affect European wild cat populations in Central Spain. Mamm Biol 2019; 97:9-12. [PMID: 32218716 PMCID: PMC7091739 DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The main objective of this brief communication is to inform about the exposure to certain pathogens of interest for mesocarnivores in wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) that inhabit a human-domestic-wild ecotone located in a Natural Park (Serranía de Cuenca, Central Spain). Blood and mucosal swabs (nasal, conjunctival and rectal) samples were collected from nine alive animals to detect canine distemper virus (CDV), parvovirus (CPV/FPV), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), Leptospira interrogans, Chlamydia felis, Ehrlichia canis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum. ELISA, immunochromatograpy, microscopy agglutination test and PCR assays were used. The results show the first worldwide detection of exposure of wildcats to L. interrogans (3 positive/9 analysed) and the first detection of exposure to CVD (7/9), of carriers ofC felis (2/9) and of fecal spreading of CPV-FPV (2/9) in wildcats in Spain. Exposure to T. gondii and CPV-FPV was detected in 5 of the 9 wildcats analysed, and to FelV in 4 of 9. No FIV, FCoV, Ehrlichia canis and Neospora caninum were detected. The results reveal the circulation of pathogens among the wildcat population studied, but more vigilance is needed for an accurate assessment of the impact of these pathogens on the health status of this population.
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Benavidez KM, Guerra T, Torres M, Rodriguez D, Veech JA, Hahn D, Miller RJ, Soltero FV, Ramírez AEP, Perez de León A, Castro-Arellano I. The prevalence of Leptospira among invasive small mammals on Puerto Rican cattle farms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007236. [PMID: 31107872 PMCID: PMC6544380 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, is thought to be the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world. A first step in preventing the spread of Leptospira is delineating the animal reservoirs that maintain and disperse the bacteria. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) methods targeting the LipL32 gene were used to analyze kidney samples from 124 House mice (Mus musculus), 94 Black rats (Rattus rattus), 5 Norway rats (R. norvegicus), and 89 small Indian mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus) from five cattle farms in Puerto Rico. Renal carriage of Leptospira was found in 38% of the sampled individuals, with 59% of the sampled mice, 34% of Black rats, 20% of Norway rats, and 13% of the mongooses. A heterogeneous distribution of prevalence was also found among sites, with the highest prevalence of Leptospira-positive samples at 52% and the lowest at 30%. Comparative sequence analysis of the LipL32 gene from positive samples revealed the presence of two species of Leptospira, L. borgpetersenii and L. interrogans in mice, detected in similar percentages in samples from four farms, while samples from the fifth farm almost exclusively harbored L. interrogans. In rats, both Leptospira species were found, while mongooses only harbored L. interrogans. Numbers tested for both animals, however, were too small (n = 7 each) to relate prevalence of Leptospira species to location. Significant associations of Leptospira prevalence with anthropogenic landscape features were observed at farms in Naguabo and Sabana Grande, where infected individuals were closer to human dwellings, milking barns, and ponds than were uninfected individuals. These results show that rural areas of Puerto Rico are in need of management and longitudinal surveillance of Leptospira in order to prevent continued infection of focal susceptible species (i.e. humans and cattle).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M. Benavidez
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
| | - Trina Guerra
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
| | - Madison Torres
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
| | - David Rodriguez
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
| | - Joseph A. Veech
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
| | - Dittmar Hahn
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
| | - Robert J. Miller
- Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, MAB 6419, Edinburg, Texas, United States of America
| | - Fred V. Soltero
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service PR and USVI SPRS District 2, United States Department of Agriculture, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
| | - Alejandro E. Pérez Ramírez
- Agrological Laboratory Analysis & Registration of Agricultural Materials PR Dept. of Agriculture 7 Carr. 693 Dorado, PR
| | - Adalberto Perez de León
- Knippling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, Kerrville, Texas, United States of America
- Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, Kerrville, TX, United States of America
| | - Iván Castro-Arellano
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
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Bertelloni F, Cilia G, Turchi B, Pinzauti P, Cerri D, Fratini F. Epidemiology of leptospirosis in North-Central Italy: Fifteen years of serological data (2002-2016). Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 65:14-22. [PMID: 31300104 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging bacterial zoonosis. North-Central Italy is characterized by a geographic area that promote Leptospira circulation. Data on sero-epidemiological survey carried out from 2002 to 2016 in North-Central Italy were reported and discussed. Overall, 709 out of the 8488 (8.35%) tested sera were positive for Leptospira at the cut-off titer (1:100) and 218 (2.57%) at higher titer (≥1:400). The highest percentages of positivity was recorded for coypus (22.86%), swine (19.74%) and bovine (13.03%). Pomona and Australis resulted the serogroup more often detected, followed by Sejroe and Icterohaemorrhagiae; while, a low number of positive sera was detected for serogroups Ballum, Canicola and Tarassovi. Percentage of positive sera for each year slightly decreased from 2002 to 2008 and rose from 2009. High percentages of positive reactions were recorded in 2014 (17.23%), 2015 (19.61%) and 2016 (38.05%). In conclusion, the results of this investigation reported an increase of leptospirosis in North-Central Italy. Furthermore, several animals resulted infected as accidental hosts by unusual Leptospira serovars. These data could suggest a change in host range for some serovars, that may promote the adaptation to new hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Bertelloni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 20159 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Cilia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 20159 Pisa, Italy
| | - Barbara Turchi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 20159 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Pinzauti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 20159 Pisa, Italy
| | - Domenico Cerri
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 20159 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Fratini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 20159 Pisa, Italy
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Sprißler F, Jongwattanapisan P, Luengyosluechakul S, Pusoonthornthum R, Prapasarakul N, Kurilung A, Goris M, Ahmed A, Reese S, Bergmann M, Dorsch R, Klaasen HLBM, Hartmann K. Leptospira
infection and shedding in cats in Thailand. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:948-956. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Sprißler
- Clinic of Small Animal Internal Medicine Centre of Clinical Veterinary Medicine LMU Munich Munich Germany
| | | | | | | | - Nuvee Prapasarakul
- Veterinary Microbiology Department Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Alongkorn Kurilung
- Veterinary Microbiology Department Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Marga Goris
- Leptospirosis Reference Laboratory Department of Medical Microbiology Academic Medical Center Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Ahmed Ahmed
- Leptospirosis Reference Laboratory Department of Medical Microbiology Academic Medical Center Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Sven Reese
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology LMU Munich Munich Germany
| | - Michèle Bergmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Internal Medicine Centre of Clinical Veterinary Medicine LMU Munich Munich Germany
| | - Roswitha Dorsch
- Clinic of Small Animal Internal Medicine Centre of Clinical Veterinary Medicine LMU Munich Munich Germany
| | | | - Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Internal Medicine Centre of Clinical Veterinary Medicine LMU Munich Munich Germany
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Millán J, Velarde R, Delicado V, Negre N, Ribas A, Oleaga Á, Llaneza L, Esperón F. High diversity of hemotropic mycoplasmas in Iberian wild carnivores. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 60:11-16. [PMID: 30396424 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Two-hundred and thirty-one wild carnivores belonging to 10 species of in Spain were analyzed for the presence of DNA of hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) by means of a universal real-time PCR targeting a 16S rRNA gene fragment. Positive reactions were found for wolf (Canis lupus: 6/37), fox (Vulpes vulpes: 1/41), Eurasian badger (Meles meles: 49/85), pine marten (Martes martes: 11/23), stone marten (Martes foina: 6/9), least weasel (Mustela nivalis: 4/4), European wildcat (Felis s. silvestris: 1/2) and common genet (Genetta genetta: 7/27). Sixty-four readable sequences were obtained, resulting in 14 nucleotide sequence types (ntST). The highest diversity was detected in badger (6 ntST) and pine marten (5 ntST). The sequencing of a fragment of the RNase P gene showed that all positive reactions in wolves corresponded to Mycoplasma haemocanis. Three ntST showed an identity between 98-100% with Candidatus M. haemominutum, C. M. turicensis and C. M. haematoparvum, respectively. Four ntST were closely related to C. M. haemomeles and/or diverse genotypes reported from raccoons (Procyon lotor) in the USA. One ntST from a badger showed only 88% similarity to the closest published sequence and was phylogenetically unrelated to any other hemoplasma sequence reported. Three ntST were 99-100% similar to two different sequences reported in Spanish bats. This study confirms the widespread nature and the high genetic diversity of hemoplasma infection in carnivores. Wild carnivores might be natural hosts of some hemoplasmas infecting dogs and cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Roser Velarde
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group and Servicio de Ecopatología de Fauna Salvaje (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Verónica Delicado
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), Ctra Algete el Casar s/n, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nieves Negre
- Consorci per a la Recuperació de la Fauna de les Illes Balears, 07142, Santa Eugènia, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Alexis Ribas
- Section of Parasitology, Department of Biology, Healthcare and the Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. de Joan XXIII, 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Museu de Ciències Naturals de Granollers, 08402, Granollers, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- SERPA, Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A, 33203, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - Luis Llaneza
- A.RE.NA. Asesores en Recursos Naturales SL, Perpetuo Socorro 12-Entresuelo 2B, 27003, Lugo, Spain
| | - Fernando Esperón
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), Ctra Algete el Casar s/n, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
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Żmudzki J, Arent Z, Jabłoński A, Nowak A, Zębek S, Stolarek A, Bocian Ł, Brzana A, Pejsak Z. Seroprevalence of 12 serovars of pathogenic Leptospira in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Poland. Acta Vet Scand 2018; 60:34. [PMID: 29855374 PMCID: PMC5984377 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-018-0388-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospira spp. infect humans and a wide range of domestic and wild animals, but certain species such as small rodents and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) play a particular role as reservoirs and transmission of leptospirosis as they easily adapt to many habitats including human environments. To investigate the significance of red foxes in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in Poland, a seroprevalence survey was conducted. During the 2014-2015 hunting season, blood samples of 2134 red foxes originating from the central-eastern part of Poland were collected. Serum samples were tested by a microscopic agglutination test for the presence of specific antibodies to Leptospira serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa, Sejroe, Tarassovi, Pomona, Canicola, Hardjo, Ballum, Australis, Bataviae, Saxkoebing and Poi. RESULTS Antibodies to at least one serovar were detected in 561 sera (26.3%). The highest seroprevalence was found in the Subcarpathia (41.6%) and Warmia-Masuria (40.3%) provinces. Antibodies were mainly directed against serovars Poi (12.4%), Saxkoebing (11.3%), and Sejroe (6.0%). CONCLUSIONS Exposure of red foxes to certain Leptospira serovars seems to be common in central and eastern Poland. In addition, the high prevalence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. in foxes may indicate a potential risk of infection for humans and other species coming into contact with these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Żmudzki
- Swine Diseases Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Arent
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine UJ-UR, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Artur Jabłoński
- Swine Diseases Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Nowak
- Swine Diseases Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Sylwia Zębek
- Swine Diseases Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Stolarek
- Epidemiology and Risk Assessment Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Łukasz Bocian
- Epidemiology and Risk Assessment Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Adam Brzana
- Veterinary Hygiene Research Station, Wroclawska 170, 45-836 Opole, Poland
| | - Zygmunt Pejsak
- Swine Diseases Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
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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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Church ME, Terio KA, Keel MK. Procyonidae, Viverridae, Hyenidae, Herpestidae, Eupleridae, and Prionodontidae. PATHOLOGY OF WILDLIFE AND ZOO ANIMALS 2018. [PMCID: PMC7148636 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-805306-5.00012-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
This chapter covers the diseases and pathology of multiple taxonomic groups within the order Carnivora including Procyonidae several of the Feliformia carnivores. The overwhelming majority of knowledge about disease pathogenesis for these species is biased toward raccoons and concern for disease spread to humans and companion animals. Procyonids and feliform carnivores are ubiquitous in their environments and share habitat and environmental resources with other nondomestic and domestic carnivores and humans. As reservoirs for a number of important multispecies or zoonotic pathogens, surveys for pathogens that may be harbored or vectored by several of the species in this chapter, for example, raccoons (e.g., canine distemper virus, rabies, and leptospirosis) and civets (e.g., SARS coronavirus), have been active areas of investigation. Unfortunately, less research has focused on the potential effects of these pathogens on their hosts.
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Millán J, Cevidanes A, Chirife AD, Candela MG, León-Vizcaíno L. Risk factors of Leptospira infection in Mediterranean periurban micromammals. Zoonoses Public Health 2017; 65:e79-e85. [PMID: 29058382 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Urbanization of natural areas can change abiotic factors, providing artificial sources of humidity in summer and decreasing variation of temperatures in winter. Our study aimed at document risk factors of infection in mammal reservoirs of pathogenic Leptospira in the human/wildlife interface of a large metropolitan area. We hypothesize that survival of Leptospira and thus their prevalence in animal reservoirs should be higher in residential areas than in natural habitats, especially after the hot, dry Mediterranean summers. We established the prevalence of Leptospira spp. and identified the serovars in 353 urine samples from micromammals (chiefly the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus, n = 266) using direct immunofluorescence and PCR. Animals were captured in spring and autumn, 2011-2012, in two natural parks and two adjacent residential areas in periurban Barcelona (NE Spain). Overall observed prevalence of infection was 11%, ranking between 8% and 13% in the better represented host species. We observed marked differences between seasons; the probability of finding a micromammal infected in spring was three times greater than in autumn (almost four times for wood mouse). Prevalence was not related with type of habitat, micromammal relative abundance or sex of the animal. Three Leptospira species were confirmed: Leptospira interrogans (47% of cases), Leptospira borgpetersenii (41%) and Leptospira kirschneri (12%). The serovars most commonly detected were those typically hosted by rodents, and serovars Ballum and Icterohemorrhagiae were the only ones found in autumn. People living in periurban Barcelona and those visiting the natural areas of the metropolitan area face hazard of infection with rodent-borne Leptospira, especially during spring.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Millán
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - A Cevidanes
- PhD Program in Conservation Medicine, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - A D Chirife
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - M G Candela
- Infectious Diseases Area, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - L León-Vizcaíno
- Infectious Diseases Area, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Ajayi OL, Antia RE, Ojo OE, Awoyomi OJ, Oyinlola LA, Ojebiyi OG. Prevalence and renal pathology of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in wildlife in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2017; 84:e1-e9. [PMID: 28397515 PMCID: PMC6238786 DOI: 10.4102/ojvr.v84i1.1210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
There is paucity of information on the prevalence of leptospirosis in wildlife in Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence and renal pathology of leptospirosis in wild animals in Southwest Nigeria. One hundred and five kidney samples were examined from 10 different wildlife species (antelope) greater cane rat (GCR), hare, African giant rat (AGR), tree hyrax, civet cat, monitor lizard, python, bushbuck and partridge) using a combination of Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson Harris (EMJH) medium, microscopic agglutination test (MAT), Warthin- Starry silver stain (WSss) and immunohistochemistry. Chi-square test was used with confidence level set at 0.05 to ascertain associations between positive cases and sex and species. Eightytwo (78.1%) samples were culturally positive, while 67.7% (63/93), 57.0% (16/28) and 66.7% (8/12) were WSss, MAT and immunohistochemically positive, respectively. Interstitial nephritis (41.0%) and tubular nephrosis (81.0%) were the most prominent histopathological changes. Pathogenic Leptospira organisms were highest in GCR (32.1%) and antelope (14.3%). Serovars hardjo (11.54%), bratislava (3.9%), canicola (3.9%), icterohaemorrhagiae (15.4%), pomona (7.14%) gripptotyphosa (19.2%) and undetermined isolates were also detected in other animals. The result showed high prevalence of Leptospira infection in the wild and the possibility of domestic animals and humans contracting the disease. This study is the first documentation of evidence of pathogenic Leptospira species in wildlife in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusola L Ajayi
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Federal University of Agriculture.
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Wicker LV, Canfield PJ, Higgins DP. Potential Pathogens Reported in Species of the Family Viverridae and Their Implications for Human and Animal Health. Zoonoses Public Health 2017; 64:75-93. [PMID: 27359248 PMCID: PMC7165938 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The Viverridae is a family of nocturnal carnivores including civets, genets and African linsangs. While a list of known organisms isolated from a species is an essential tool for population management, this review represents the first attempt to collate published reports of organisms isolated from viverrids. A wide range of organisms, including 11 viruses, eight bacterial species, one internal arthropod species, representatives from eight genera of protozoan, 21 genera of nematode, seven genera of cestode, eight genera of trematode and six genera of external arthropod (mites, ticks and louse), have been reported in literature spanning over a century of research. Many of these are capable of infecting multiple hosts, including humans. This is of concern given the anthropogenic factors that bring humans and domestic species into close contact with viverrids, facilitating transmission and spillover of organisms between groups. These factors include trade in viverrids for human consumption, captive management in zoos, rescue centres or on commercial breeding farms, and the increasing overlap of free-ranging viverrid distribution and human settlement.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. V. Wicker
- Faculty of Veterinary ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSW2006Australia
- Save Vietnam's WildlifeCuc Phuong National ParkNinh BinhVietnam
| | - P. J. Canfield
- Faculty of Veterinary ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSW2006Australia
| | - D. P. Higgins
- Faculty of Veterinary ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSW2006Australia
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Millán J, Wicker LV, Canfield PJ, Higgins DP. Comments to 'Potential Pathogens Reported in Species of the Family Viverridae and Their Implications for Human and Animal Health'. Zoonoses Public Health 2016; 64:e1-e4. [PMID: 28009097 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Millán
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - L V Wicker
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,Save Vietnam's Wildlife, Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam
| | - P J Canfield
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - D P Higgins
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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Shropshire SB, Veir JK, Morris AK, Lappin MR. Evaluation of the Leptospira species microscopic agglutination test in experimentally vaccinated cats and Leptospira species seropositivity in aged azotemic client-owned cats. J Feline Med Surg 2016; 18:768-72. [PMID: 26170277 PMCID: PMC11112203 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x15593902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to validate the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using feline sera, determine cross-reactivity of Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in the MAT, and evaluate if there is an association between Leptospira species seropositivity in aged (⩾10 years) client-owned cats with and without azotemia (creatinine >2 g/dl). METHODS A four-serovar canine leptospiral vaccine was administered to two specific pathogen-free (SPF) cats on days 0 and 14. The MAT was performed intermittently until day 42 for the serovars Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona and Bratislava, with a cut-off value of ⩾1:100. Five purpose-bred cats were infested with wild-caught Ixodes scapularis adults with an average B burgdorferi infection rate of 50%, and tested for antibodies against B burgdorferi C6 peptide and DNA in skin biopsies, as well as by MAT. Sera from 66 azotemic and 75 non-azotemic cats ⩾10 years of age were tested for Leptospira species antibodies using the MAT and results were compared by the χ(2) test. RESULTS Both SPF cats seroconverted by week 3 and formed antibodies against at least one serovar. There was no cross-reactivity in the MAT using samples from cats with antibodies to B burgdorferi. MAT results were positive for 4/66 azotemic cats and 8/75 non-azotemic cats; these results were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The MAT can be interpreted using feline serum and does not appear to cross-react in cats with B burgdorferi antibodies. There was no association between Leptospira species MAT results and azotemia in this group of aged client-owned cats but further studies are needed to determine if leptospirosis contributes to feline chronic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Shropshire
- Center for Companion Animal Studies, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Julia K Veir
- Center for Companion Animal Studies, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Arianne K Morris
- Center for Companion Animal Studies, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Michael R Lappin
- Center for Companion Animal Studies, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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Ayral F, Djelouadji Z, Raton V, Zilber AL, Gasqui P, Faure E, Baurier F, Vourc’h G, Kodjo A, Combes B. Hedgehogs and Mustelid Species: Major Carriers of Pathogenic Leptospira, a Survey in 28 Animal Species in France (20122015). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162549. [PMID: 27680672 PMCID: PMC5040419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leptospirosis is a zoonotic and potentially fatal disease that has increasingly been reported in both developing and developed countries, including France. However, our understanding of the basic aspects of the epidemiology of this disease, including the source of Leptospira serogroup Australis infections in humans and domestic animals, remains incomplete. We investigated the genetic diversity of Leptospira in 28 species of wildlife other than rats using variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) and multispacer sequence typing (MST). The DNA of pathogenic Leptospira was detected in the kidney tissues of 201 individuals out of 3,738 tested individuals. A wide diversity, including 50 VNTR profiles and 8 MST profiles, was observed. Hedgehogs and mustelid species had the highest risk of being infected (logistic regression, OR = 66.8, CI95% = 30.9-144 and OR = 16.7, CI95% = 8.7-31.8, respectively). Almost all genetic profiles obtained from the hedgehogs were related to Leptospira interrogans Australis, suggesting the latter as a host-adapted bacterium, whereas mustelid species were infected by various genotypes, suggesting their interaction with Leptospira was different. By providing an inventory of the circulating strains of Leptospira and by pointing to hedgehogs as a potential reservoir of L. interrogans Australis, our study advances current knowledge on Leptospira animal carriers, and this information could serve to enhance epidemiological investigations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Patrick Gasqui
- INRA, UR346 Epidémiologie Animale, Saint Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Eva Faure
- Fédération Nationale de la Chasse, Issy Les Moulineaux, France
| | | | - Gwenaël Vourc’h
- INRA, UR346 Epidémiologie Animale, Saint Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Angeli Kodjo
- Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, USC 1233, Marcy l’Etoile, France
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Abstract
Leptospirosis is a widespread bacterial zoonosis with highest burden in low-income populations living in tropical and subtropical regions, both in urban and in rural environments. Rodents are known as the main reservoir animals, but other mammals may also significantly contribute to human infections in some settings. Clinical presentation of leptospirosis is nonspecific and variable, and most of the early signs and symptoms point to the so-called “acute fever of unknown origin”, a major diagnostic challenge in tropical and subtropical areas. However, leptospirosis can rapidly evolve to life-threatening complications, especially if left untreated. There is a need for good awareness of leptospirosis and rapid antibiotic treatment based on clinical and epidemiological suspicion. Severe leptospirosis cases include renal and/or respiratory failure and shock, necessitating intensive care, also seldom available or with limited capacity. Confirmation of leptospirosis relies on biological diagnosis, which unfortunately uses tricky methods seldom available. This biological confirmation, however, is essential for surveillance and public health purpose. A good knowledge of leptospirosis epidemiology (eg, the reservoir animals involved, the Leptospira strains circulating, the seasonal and geographical patterns, and specific populations at risk) can be achieved through adequate surveillance and diagnosis. This can pave the way to prevention and intervention strategies and in turn alleviate the toll leptospirosis takes on affected populations. Over the past few years, leptospirosis has been increasingly recognized, as the need for multidisciplinary approaches in a One-Health perspective has been acknowledged, raising hope to successfully tackle the challenges of this zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille Goarant
- Institut Pasteur International Network, Institut Pasteur in New Caledonia, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Nouméa, New Caledonia
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Simbizi V, Saulez MN, Potts A, Lötter C, Gummow B. A study of leptospirosis in South African horses and associated risk factors. Prev Vet Med 2016; 134:6-15. [PMID: 27836047 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Most leptospiral infections in horses are asymptomatic; however, acute disease manifestations as well as reproductive failure and recurrent uveitis have been reported. In South Africa, the epidemiology of the disease in horses is not well documented. A serosurvey to determine what serovars were present in horses from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape Provinces and to get an estimate of the seroprevalence of leptospirosis was carried out from January 2013 until April 2014 with the assistance of four large equine hospitals located in these provinces. Furthermore, associations between potential risk factors and both seropositive horses to the predominant serovar Bratislava and to Leptospira spp. were statistically evaluated using univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression models. A total of 663 horse sera were collected and tested against a panel of 24 leptospiral serovars using the microscopic agglutination test. The most predominant serovars in Gauteng were Bratislava [32%, 95% CI: 29-35%]; Djasiman [10.4%, 95% CI: 8-12%] and Arborea [8.9%, 95% CI: 7-11%], in the Western Cape Province, Bratislava [27.35%, 95% CI: 23-32]; Djasiman [15.4%, 95% CI: 12-19%] and Arborea [14.5%, 95% CI: 11-18%] and in KwaZulu-Natal, Bratislava [39.4%, 95% CI: 34-44%]; Arborea [9.6%, 95% CI: 7-13%]; and Tarassovi [7.7%, 95% CI: 5-10%] respectively. Twenty one serovars representing 17 serogroups were detected with serovar Bratislava being the most serodominant. The apparent prevalence to one or more serovars of Leptospira spp. at a serum dilution of 1:100 in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape Provinces were 49%; 37% and 32% respectively. The true prevalence was calculated for each province taking into account the clustering effect during the sampling and was found to be between 24 and 74% in Gauteng; 26-39% in the Western Cape and 20-54% in KwaZulu-Natal. Nooitgedacht (South African horse breed) horses were found to be at greater risk of being seropositive to both serovar Bratislava (OR=5.08) and Leptospira spp. (OR=6.3). Similarly, horses residing on properties with forestry in the vicinity were found to be at greater risk of being seropositive to both serovar Bratislava (OR=9.3) and Leptospira spp. (OR=5.2). This study has shown that a high proportion of horses in South Africa are exposed to a wide range of serovars, inferring a complex epidemiology. It also describes for the first time new serovars of Leptospira in South African horses that have not previously been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Simbizi
- State Veterinary Services, Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Lady Frere, South Africa; Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - M N Saulez
- Winelands Equine Vet, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - A Potts
- Bacterial Serology Laboratory: ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - C Lötter
- Bacterial Serology Laboratory: ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - B Gummow
- Discipline of Veterinary Sciences, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Queensland, Australia; Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
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Matsui M, Roche L, Geroult S, Soupé-Gilbert ME, Monchy D, Huerre M, Goarant C. Cytokine and Chemokine Expression in Kidneys during Chronic Leptospirosis in Reservoir and Susceptible Animal Models. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156084. [PMID: 27219334 PMCID: PMC4878748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Humans can be infected after exposure to contaminated urine of reservoir animals, usually rodents, regarded as typical asymptomatic carriers of leptospires. In contrast, accidental hosts may present an acute form of leptospirosis with a range of clinical symptoms including the development of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is considered as a possible AKI-residual sequela but little is known about the renal pathophysiology consequent to leptospirosis infection. Herein, we studied the renal morphological alterations in relation with the regulation of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, comparing two experimental models of chronic leptospirosis, the golden Syrian hamster that survived the infection, becoming carrier of virulent leptospires, and the OF1 mouse, a usual reservoir of the bacteria. Animals were monitored until 28 days after injection with a virulent L. borgpetersenii serogroup Ballum to assess chronic infection. Hamsters developed morphological alterations in the kidneys with tubulointerstitial nephritis and fibrosis. Grading of lesions revealed higher scores in hamsters compared to the slight alterations observed in the mouse kidneys, irrespective of the bacterial load. Interestingly, pro-fibrotic TGF-β was downregulated in mouse kidneys. Moreover, cytokines IL-1β and IL-10, and chemokines MIP-1α/CCL3 and IP-10/CXCL-10 were significantly upregulated in hamster kidneys compared to mice. These results suggest a possible maintenance of inflammatory processes in the hamster kidneys with the infiltration of inflammatory cells in response to bacterial carriage, resulting in alterations of renal tissues. In contrast, lower expression levels in mouse kidneys indicated a better regulation of the inflammatory response and possible resolution processes likely related to resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Matsui
- Institut Pasteur International Network, Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Noumea, New Caledonia
| | - Louise Roche
- Institut Pasteur International Network, Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Noumea, New Caledonia
| | - Sophie Geroult
- Institut Pasteur International Network, Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Noumea, New Caledonia
| | - Marie-Estelle Soupé-Gilbert
- Institut Pasteur International Network, Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Noumea, New Caledonia
| | - Didier Monchy
- Anatomic Pathology Laboratory, Gaston-Bourret Territorial Hospital Center, Noumea, New Caledonia
| | - Michel Huerre
- Unité de Recherche et Expertise en Histotechnologie et Pathologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Departement de Pathologie, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Cyrille Goarant
- Institut Pasteur International Network, Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit, Noumea, New Caledonia
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Obiegala A, Woll D, Karnath C, Silaghi C, Schex S, Eßbauer S, Pfeffer M. Prevalence and Genotype Allocation of Pathogenic Leptospira Species in Small Mammals from Various Habitat Types in Germany. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004501. [PMID: 27015596 PMCID: PMC4807814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Small mammals serve as most important reservoirs for Leptospira spp., the causative agents of Leptospirosis, which is one of the most neglected and widespread zoonotic diseases worldwide. The knowledge about Leptospira spp. occurring in small mammals from Germany is scarce. Thus, this study's objectives were to investigate the occurrence of Leptospira spp. and the inherent sequence types in small mammals from three different study sites: a forest in southern Germany (site B1); a National Park in south-eastern Germany (site B2) and a renaturalised area, in eastern Germany (site S) where small mammals were captured. DNA was extracted from kidneys of small mammals and tested for Leptospira spp. by real-time PCR. Positive samples were further analysed by duplex and conventional PCRs. For 14 positive samples, multi locus sequence typing (MLST) was performed. Altogether, 1213 small mammals were captured: 216 at site B1, 456 at site B2 and 541 at site S belonging to following species: Sorex (S.) araneus, S. coronatus, Apodemus (A.) flavicollis, Myodes glareolus, Microtus (Mi.) arvalis, Crocidura russula, Arvicola terrestris, A. agrarius, Mustela nivalis, Talpa europaea, and Mi. agrestis. DNA of Leptospira spp. was detected in 6% of all small mammals. At site B1, 25 small mammals (11.6%), at site B2, 15 small mammals (3.3%) and at site S, 33 small mammals (6.1%) were positive for Leptospira spp. Overall, 54 of the positive samples were further determined as L. kirschneri, nine as L. interrogans and four as L. borgpetersenii while five real-time PCR-positive samples could not be further determined by conventional PCR. MLST results revealed focal occurrence of L. interrogans and L. kirschneri sequence type (ST) 117 while L. kirschneri ST 110 was present in small mammals at all three sites. Further, this study provides evidence for a particular host association of L. borgpetersenii to mice of the genus Apodemus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Obiegala
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Dietlinde Woll
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carolin Karnath
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Schex
- Department of Virology and Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Sandra Eßbauer
- Department of Virology and Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Rodrigues TC, Santos AL, Lima-Ribeiro AM, Lemos FG, Azevedo FC, Arrais RC, Gomes DO, Tavares TC. Occurrence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. In free-ranging wild canids from the Brazilian savanna. PESQUISA VETERINARIA BRASILEIRA 2015. [DOI: 10.1590/s0100-736x2015000800005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract: The Brazilian savanna, also known as Cerrado, is one of the world's richest and most ecologically invaluable tropical savanna regions. There are few studies in Brazil about the diseases that affect the wild canids of this biome, which may be harmful to wildlife populations and public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. in three Cerrado wild canids species using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Serum samples were tested from 19 crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), 14 maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), and seven hoary foxes (Lycalopex vetulus), all free-ranging animals found in the municipalities of Araguari and Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, and Cumari, Goiás State, Brazil. Fourteen (35%) of these samples were seropositive. The most frequent serovars detected in the samples were Copenhageni and Hardjo, but reactions to the serovars Autumnalis, Grippotyphosa, Hebdomadis, Wolffi, and Icterohaemorrhagiae also occurred. Notwithstanding other reported results, this study is the first to report the presence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. in L. vetulus. The three species of wild canids examined may act as potential hosts for several serovars of leptospira in Brazil's savanna environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Frederico G. Lemos
- Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Goiás, Brazil
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Damborg P, Broens EM, Chomel BB, Guenther S, Pasmans F, Wagenaar JA, Weese JS, Wieler LH, Windahl U, Vanrompay D, Guardabassi L. Bacterial Zoonoses Transmitted by Household Pets: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives for Targeted Research and Policy Actions. J Comp Pathol 2015; 155:S27-40. [PMID: 25958184 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The close contact between household pets and people offers favourable conditions for bacterial transmission. In this article, the aetiology, prevalence, transmission, impact on human health and preventative measures are summarized for selected bacterial zoonoses transmissible by household pets. Six zoonoses representing distinct transmission routes were selected arbitrarily based on the available information on incidence and severity of pet-associated disease caused by zoonotic bacteria: bite infections and cat scratch disease (physical injuries), psittacosis (inhalation), leptospirosis (contact with urine), and campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis (faecal-oral ingestion). Antimicrobial resistance was also included due to the recent emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria of zoonotic potential in dogs and cats. There is a general lack of data on pathogen prevalence in the relevant pet population and on the incidence of human infections attributable to pets. In order to address these gaps in knowledge, and to minimize the risk of human infection, actions at several levels are recommended, including: (1) coordinated surveillance of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in household pets, (2) studies to estimate the burden of human disease attributable to pets and to identify risk behaviours facilitating transmission, and (3) education of those in charge of pets, animal caretakers, veterinarians and human medical healthcare practitioners on the potential zoonotic risks associated with exposure to pets. Disease-specific recommendations include incentives to undertake research aimed at the development of new diagnostic tests, veterinary-specific antimicrobial products and vaccines, as well as initiatives to promote best practices in veterinary diagnostic laboratories and prudent antimicrobial usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Damborg
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - E M Broens
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - B B Chomel
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - S Guenther
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - F Pasmans
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - J A Wagenaar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J S Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - L H Wieler
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - U Windahl
- Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - D Vanrompay
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - L Guardabassi
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Isolation and phylogenetic characterization of Streptococcus halichoeri from a European badger (Meles meles) with pyogranulomatous pleuropneumonia. J Comp Pathol 2015; 152:269-73. [PMID: 25678424 PMCID: PMC7094581 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2014.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and pathological studies in European badgers (Meles meles) are limited. Badgers play a significant role in the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in some countries and an accurate diagnosis is needed for this infection. However, the lesions of bovine TB are similar to those associated with other pathogens, making pathological diagnosis difficult. In the present study, Streptococcus halichoeri was isolated from a European badger with pyogranulomatous pleuropneumonia and suspected of having tuberculosis. TB and other pathogens able to induce similar lesions were ruled out. Comparative 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing studies showed an identity of 99.51% and 98.28%, respectively, with S. halichoeri. This report represents the third description of this bacterium and the first in an animal species other than the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). It also shows that S. halichoeri can be associated with a pathological process characterized by granulomatous inflammation and resembling tuberculosis.
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