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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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2
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Teles AJ, Bohm BC, Silva SCM, Bruhn FRP. Socio-geographical factors and vulnerability to leptospirosis in South Brazil. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1311. [PMID: 37420253 PMCID: PMC10329394 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16094-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis, caused by the Leptospira bacteria, is an acute infectious disease that is mainly transmitted by exposure to contaminated soil or water, thereby presenting a wide range of subsequent clinical conditions. This study aimed to assess the distribution of cases and deaths from leptospirosis and its association with social vulnerability in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between 2010 and 2019. METHODS The lethality rates and incidence of leptospirosis and their association with gender, age, education, and skin color were analyzed using chi-square tests. The spatial relationship between the environmental determinants, social vulnerability, and the incidence rate of leptospirosis in the different municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul was analyzed through spatial regression analysis. RESULTS During the study period, a total of 4,760 cases of leptospirosis, along with 238 deaths, were confirmed. The mean incidence rate was 4.06 cases/100,000 inhabitants, while the mean fatality rate was 5%. Although the entire population was susceptible, white-colored individuals, males, people of the working-age group, along with less-educated individuals, were more affected by the disease. Lethality was higher in people with dark skin, and the prime risk factor associated with death was the direct contact of the patients with rodents, sewage, and garbage. The social vulnerability was positively associated with the incidence of leptospirosis in the Rio Grande do Sul, especially in municipalities located in the center of the state. CONCLUSIONS It is evident that the incidence of the disease is significantly related to the vulnerability of the population. The use of the health vulnerability index showed great relevance in the evaluation of leptospirosis cases and can be used further as a tool to help municipalities identify disease-prone areas for intervention and resource allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bianca Conrad Bohm
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary, Federal University of Pelotas, Capão Do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
| | - Suellen Caroline M Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary, Federal University of Pelotas, Capão Do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Fábio Raphael P Bruhn
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Capão Do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
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Cristaldi MA, Catry T, Pottier A, Herbreteau V, Roux E, Jacob P, Previtali MA. Determining the spatial distribution of environmental and socio-economic suitability for human leptospirosis in the face of limited epidemiological data. Infect Dis Poverty 2022; 11:86. [PMID: 35927739 PMCID: PMC9351081 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-022-01010-x] [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: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis is among the leading zoonotic causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Knowledge about spatial patterns of diseases and their underlying processes have the potential to guide intervention efforts. However, leptospirosis is often an underreported and misdiagnosed disease and consequently, spatial patterns of the disease remain unclear. In the absence of accurate epidemiological data in the urban agglomeration of Santa Fe, we used a knowledge-based index and cluster analysis to identify spatial patterns of environmental and socioeconomic suitability for the disease and potential underlying processes that shape them. Methods We geocoded human leptospirosis cases derived from the Argentinian surveillance system during the period 2010 to 2019. Environmental and socioeconomic databases were obtained from satellite images and publicly available platforms on the web. Two sets of human leptospirosis determinants were considered according to the level of their support by the literature and expert knowledge. We used the Zonation algorithm to build a knowledge-based index and a clustering approach to identify distinct potential sets of determinants. Spatial similarity and correlations between index, clusters, and incidence rates were evaluated. Results We were able to geocode 56.36% of the human leptospirosis cases reported in the national epidemiological database. The knowledge-based index showed the suitability for human leptospirosis in the UA Santa Fe increased from downtown areas of the largest cities towards peri-urban and suburban areas. Cluster analysis revealed downtown areas were characterized by higher levels of socioeconomic conditions. Peri-urban and suburban areas encompassed two clusters which differed in terms of environmental determinants. The highest incidence rates overlapped areas with the highest suitability scores, the strength of association was low though (CSc r = 0.21, P < 0.001 and ESc r = 0.19, P < 0.001). Conclusions We present a method to analyze the environmental and socioeconomic suitability for human leptospirosis based on literature and expert knowledge. The methodology can be thought as an evolutive and perfectible scheme as more studies are performed in the area and novel information regarding determinants of the disease become available. Our approach can be a valuable tool for decision-makers since it can serve as a baseline to plan intervention measures. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40249-022-01010-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano A Cristaldi
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, National University of Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Thibault Catry
- ESPACE-DEV, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), University of Montpellier, University of French West Indies, University of French Guiana, University of La Reunion, Montpellier, France
| | - Auréa Pottier
- ESPACE-DEV, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), University of Montpellier, University of French West Indies, University of French Guiana, University of La Reunion, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Herbreteau
- ESPACE-DEV, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), University of Montpellier, University of French West Indies, University of French Guiana, University of La Reunion, Montpellier, France
| | - Emmanuel Roux
- ESPACE-DEV, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), University of Montpellier, University of French West Indies, University of French Guiana, University of La Reunion, Montpellier, France.,Sentinela International Joint Laboratory, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), University of Brasilia (UnB), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Brasília, Brazil.,Sentinela International Joint Laboratory, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), University of Brasilia (UnB), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paulina Jacob
- National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER) "Dr. E. Coni"/National Administration of Health Institutes (ANLIS "Dr. C.G. Malbrán"), Santa Fe, Argentina.,Leptospirosis Laboratory, College of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences, National University of Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - M Andrea Previtali
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, National University of Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina. .,National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina.
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4
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Gutiérrez-Molina R, Acevedo P, Sánchez-Montes S, Romero-Salas D, López-Ortiz S, Flores-Primo A, Cruz-Romero A. Spatial epidemiology of Leptospira sp. exposure in bovines from Veracruz, México. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e682-e692. [PMID: 34657392 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14346] [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: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Bovine leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects cattle herds, causing economic losses due to reproductive problems which require expensive treatments. The main source of transmission for cattle is still uncertain, but rodents and bats can play an important role in the transmission cycle by being maintenance hosts for the pathogenic species of the bacterium and spreading it through urine. In this study, we characterize possible risk areas for bovine leptospirosis exposure in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, based on the geographical distribution of flying (bats) and terrestrial (rodents and opossums) wild hosts of Leptospira sp. reported in Mexico, in addition to climate, geography, soil characteristics, land use and human activities (environmental variables). We used a generalized linear regression model to understand the association between the frequency of anti-Leptospira sp. antibodies (a proxy of exposure) in cattle herds exposed to Leptospira, the favourability of wild hosts of Leptospira as well as the environmental variables. The parameterized model explained 12.3% of the variance. The frequency of anti-Leptospira sp. antibodies exposure in cattle herds was associated with elevation, geographic longitude, pH of the soil surface and environmental favourability for the presence of rodents, opossums and bats. The variation in exposure was mainly explained by a longitudinal gradient (6.4% of the variance) and the favourability-based indices for wild hosts (9.6% of the variance). Describing the possible risks for exposure to Leptospira in an important and neglected livestock geographical region, we provide valuable information for the selection of areas for diagnosis and prevention of this relevant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pelayo Acevedo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Sokani Sánchez-Montes
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias región Tuxpan, Universidad Veracruzana, Tuxpan, Veracruz, México
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México
| | - Dora Romero-Salas
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
| | | | - Argel Flores-Primo
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
| | - Anabel Cruz-Romero
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
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Gabriel-Vejar BL, Vázquez-Luna D, Martínez-Herrera DI, Villagómez-Cortés JA, Leyva-Ovalle OR, Torres-Barranca JI, Zarza-Villanueva H. Spatial distribution models of seroreactive sheep to Leptospira spp. in Veracruz, Mexico. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e1913-e1922. [PMID: 35366060 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an infectious zoonotic disease of special importance in tropical regions of the world and is closely related to climatic conditions. In Mexico, at least eight Leptospira serogroups are known to affect sheep, but little is known about their distribution. The aim was to analyze the spatial distribution of seroreactive sheep to eight serogroups of Leptospira spp. through ecological niche modeling from the state of Veracruz. We carried out a cross-sectional, multi-stage, and stratified epidemiological study, sampling 405 sheep in different regions of the state (north, center, and south). The sera were analyzed using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) to identify seropositivity to eight Leptospira serogroups (Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, Grippotyphosa, Canicola, Pomona, Hardjo, Wolffi, and Tarassovi). Management variables in the sampled herds were evaluated through a survey among the producers, which was analyzed using the Chi-square test for cross-tabulation. Geospatial modeling was conducted using MAXENT and 19 climatic variables and the validation was carried out using the area under the curve (AUC). No positive animals were found for Pomona in any area of Veracruz and there was only one case of seroreactivity to Grippotyphosa. The total seroprevalence found was 53.83% (95% CI: 48.84-58.75). The main serogroup found was Sejroe (55.31%, 95% CI 50.32 - 60.20%), followed by Canicola (8.64%, 95% CI 6.17 - 11.92%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (4.69%, 95% CI 2.93 - 7.36%), Tarassovi (3.95%, 95% CI 2.35 - 6.47%), Pyrogenes (2.47%, 95% CI 1.26 - 4.64%), Australis (0.99%, 95% CI 0.32 - 2.69%) and Grippotyphosa (0.25%, 95% CI 0.01 - 1.59%). The predictive model for Australis was not significant. Acceptable predictive models (AUC>0.7-0.8) were found for Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, and Tarassovi; while for Sejroe it was excellent (AUC> 0.85); consequently, the climatic variables that most contributed to the model were those related to precipitation. The potential distribution of Pyrogenes, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Canicola was located to a greater extent in the three regions; Pyrogenes and Tarassovi were distributed mostly in the north and central regions and Sejroe is mostly located in the center and south of the state. Ecological niche modeling could support epidemiological control and surveillance programs for affected sheep herds in the state of Veracruz. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- B L Gabriel-Vejar
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, de la Universidad Veracruzana. Miguel Ángel de Quevedo s/n esq. Yáñez, col. Unidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Veracruz, México
| | - D Vázquez-Luna
- Centro de Estudios Interdisciplinarios en Agrobiodiversidad (CEIAbio). Facultad de Ingeniería en Sistemas de Producción Agropecuaria (FISPA), Universidad Veracruzana, Carretera Costera del Golfo km. 220, Col. Agrícola y Ganadera Michapan. C.P. 96000. Acayucan, Veracruz, México
| | - D I Martínez-Herrera
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, de la Universidad Veracruzana. Miguel Ángel de Quevedo s/n esq. Yáñez, col. Unidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Veracruz, México
| | - J A Villagómez-Cortés
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, de la Universidad Veracruzana. Miguel Ángel de Quevedo s/n esq. Yáñez, col. Unidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Veracruz, México
| | - O R Leyva-Ovalle
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias-Peñuela, Universidad Veracruzana, Carretera Peñuelas Amatlán km 177, C.P. 94500, Córdoba, Veracruz, México
| | - J I Torres-Barranca
- Laboratorio de Leptospira y leptospirosis de la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Coapa, Col. Villa Quietud, C.P. 04960 de México, Ciudad, México
| | - H Zarza-Villanueva
- Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales de la División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud de la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Lerma, Avenida de las Garzas 10. Col. El Panteón C.P. 52005 de Villada. Estado de, Lerma, México
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Convertino M, Reddy A, Liu Y, Munoz-Zanzi C. Eco-epidemiological scaling of Leptospirosis: Vulnerability mapping and early warning forecasts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 799:149102. [PMID: 34388889 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Infectious disease epidemics are plaguing the world and a lot of research is focused on the development of models to reproduce disease dynamics for eco-environmental and biological investigation, and disease management. Leptospirosis is an example of a neglected zoonosis strongly mediated by ecohydrological dynamics with emerging endemic and epidemic patterns worldwide in both animal and human populations. By accounting for large heterogeneities of affected areas we show how exponential endemics and scale-free epidemics are largely predictable and linked to common socio-environmental features via scaling laws with different exponents that inform about vulnerability factors. This led to the development of a novel pattern-oriented integrated model that can be used as an early-warning signal (EWS) tool for endemic-epidemic regime classification, risk determinant attribution, and near real-time forecast of outbreaks. Forecasts are grounded on expected outbreak recurrence time dependent on exceedance probabilities and statistical EWS that sense outbreak onset. A stochastic spatially-explicit model is shown to comprehensively predict outbreak dynamics (early sensing, timing, magnitude, decay, and eco-environmental determinants) and derive a spreading factor characterizing endemics and epidemics, where average over maximum rainfall is the critical factor characterizing disease transitions. Dynamically, case cross-correlation considering neighboring communities senses 2-weeks in advance outbreaks. Eco-environmental scaling relationships highlight how predicted host suitability and topographic index can be used as epidemiological footprints to effectively distinguish and control Leptospirosis regimes and areas dependent on hydro-climatological dynamics as the main trigger. The spatio-temporal scale-invariance of epidemics - underpinning persistent criticality and neutrality or independence among areas - is emphasized by the high accuracy in reproducing sequence and magnitude of cases via reliable surveillance. Further investigations of robustness and universality of eco-environmental determinants are required; nonetheless a comprehensive and computationally simple EWS method for the full characterization of Leptospirosis is provided. The tool is extendable to other climate-sensitive zoonoses to define vulnerability factors and predict outbreaks useful for optimal disease risk prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Convertino
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (Tsinghua SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - A Reddy
- UnitedHealth Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Y Liu
- Centre for the Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases (CMMID), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - C Munoz-Zanzi
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota Twin-Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Draft Genome Sequence of Leptospira yasudae Strain BJ3, Isolated from the Soil of an Ex Situ Wild Animal Conservation Area. Microbiol Resour Announc 2021; 10:e0072321. [PMID: 34591676 PMCID: PMC8483709 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00723-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, a novel Leptospira strain (BJ3) was isolated from the soil of an ex situ wild animal conservation area in Perak, Malaysia. Molecular identification via whole-genome sequencing confirmed that the strain was Leptospira yasudae. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of L. yasudae strain BJ3.
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de Souza KOC, Góes JAP, Melo MS, Leite PMG, Andrade LA, Góes MADO, Ribeiro CJN, Araújo DDC, de Menezes AF, Dos Santos AD. Spatiotemporal clustering, social inequities and the risk of leptospirosis in an endemic area of Brazil: a retrospective spatial modelling. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 115:854-862. [PMID: 33205148 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa128] [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: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis is an endemic disease in Brazil of social and economic relevance related to behavioural and socioenvironmental factors. This study aimed to analyse the spatiotemporal distribution of the incidence of leptospirosis and its association with social determinants in health in a state of northeastern Brazil. METHODS An ecological study of temporal series with techniques of spatial analysis using secondary data of the cases of leptospirosis notified in the Information System of Notifiable Diseases of the state of Sergipe (2008-2017) was conducted. The analysis of temporal trends was performed using Poisson regression. Spatial analyses were performed using the Moran index, the local empirical Bayesian model, scan statistics and spatial regression. RESULTS The incidence rate decreased from 3.66 to 1.44 cases per 100 000 inhabitants in 2008 and 2017, respectively. Leptospirosis was associated with social inequities, mostly affecting males aged 20-49 y living in urban areas. The space-time scan indicated the formation of a risk cluster in municipalities in the metropolitan region of the state. CONCLUSIONS The data indicated the persistence of leptospirosis transmission, maintaining a pattern of high endemicity in some municipalities associated with social inequities. The study showed the temporal and spatial dynamics of the disease to better target specific actions for prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katyucia O C de Souza
- Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Cristóvão, SE, Brasil
| | - José Augusto P Góes
- Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Cristóvão, SE, Brasil
| | - Matheus S Melo
- Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Cristóvão, SE, Brasil
| | - Paula M G Leite
- Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Cristóvão, SE, Brasil
| | - Lucas A Andrade
- Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Cristóvão, SE, Brasil
| | - Marco Aurélio de O Góes
- Secretaria Estadual de Saúde de Sergipe, Diretoria de Vigilância em Saúde, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | | | - Damião da C Araújo
- Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, São Cristóvão, SE, Brasil
| | - Andreia F de Menezes
- Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Cristóvão, SE, Brasil
| | - Allan D Dos Santos
- Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Cristóvão, SE, Brasil
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Taylor C, Brodbelt DC, Dobson B, Catchpole B, O'Neill DG, Stevens KB. Spatio-temporal distribution and agroecological factors associated with canine leptospirosis in Great Britain. Prev Vet Med 2021; 193:105407. [PMID: 34153840 PMCID: PMC8326249 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an important global zoonotic disease that affects a wide range of mammalian species. Canine leptospirosis outbreaks have been reported after metereological events such as flooding (eg. in Brazil and the United States of America) suggesting an environmental association, but there has been no such study in Great Britain (GB). The distribution of cases across GB is also unreported. Objectives of this study were to: (1) assess the spatio-temporal variation of leptospirosis test submissions (2) explore associations between agroecological risk factors and distribution of different canine leptospirosis serogroups in GB, and (3) generate probability of presence maps for the different serogroups. Data analysed comprised laboratory submissions (n = 3986) to IDEXX laboratories between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2018 for PCR or MAT leptospirosis testing. Spatial and seasonal scan statistics were used to investigate spatial and temporal clustering of positive tests, logistic regression was used to identify significant agroecological risk factors for positive tests, and the Maxent algorithm was used to model the environmental niche of four serogroups. There was an increased risk of a positive test result in the West Midlands of England (relative risk = 2.16) and between October and January (relative risk = 1.54). Logistic regression identified season and region to be significantly associated with a positive diagnosis,with higher odds of a positive test in Autumn (OR = 1.86 95 %CI 1.29-2.69) and Winter (OR = 1.51, 95 %CI 1.02-2.23) and in the East (OR = 2.20, 95 %CI = 1.31-3.71) and West Midlands (OR = 2.32, 95 %CI 1.45-3.71). The increased test-positive proportion in Autumn together with the increased odds of a positive diagnosis in Autumn suggests there may be a seasonal pattern to the canine leptospirosis in GB. The most important variable associated with higher leptospirosis presence in all ecological niche models was higher average annual temperature. The importance and retention of other variables differed between serogroups. Overall, a higher probability of leptospirosis presence was predicted in southern England and a low probability in Scotland and northern England. Although leptospirosis vaccine usage provides protection against the majority of serogroups identified here, one is not represented in the currently licensed vaccine formulations and therefore leptospirosis should remain a differential diagnosis in vaccinated dogs demonstrating consistent clinical signs of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Taylor
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
| | - D C Brodbelt
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - B Dobson
- Imperial College London, Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - B Catchpole
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - D G O'Neill
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - K B Stevens
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
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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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Frias-De-Diego A, Jara M, Pecoraro BM, Crisci E. Whole Genome or Single Genes? A Phylodynamic and Bibliometric Analysis of PRRSV. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:658512. [PMID: 34250057 PMCID: PMC8263912 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.658512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diversity, ecology, and evolution of viruses are commonly determined through phylogenetics, an accurate tool for the identification and study of lineages with different pathological characteristics within the same species. In the case of PRRSV, evolutionary research has divided into two main branches based on the use of a specific gene (i.e., ORF5) or whole genome sequences as the input used to produce the phylogeny. In this study, we performed a review on PRRSV phylogenetic literature and characterized the spatiotemporal trends in research of single gene vs. whole genome evolutionary approaches. Finally, using publicly available data, we produced a Bayesian phylodynamic analysis following each research branch and compared the results to determine the pros and cons of each particular approach. This study provides an exploration of the two main phylogenetic research lines applied for PRRSV evolution, as well as an example of the differences found when both methods are applied to the same database. We expect that our results will serve as a guidance for future PRRSV phylogenetic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Frias-De-Diego
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Manuel Jara
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Brittany M Pecoraro
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Elisa Crisci
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
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Jara M, Holcomb K, Wang X, Goss EM, Machado G. The Potential Distribution of Pythium insidiosum in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:640339. [PMID: 33681336 PMCID: PMC7933582 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.640339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pythium insidiosum is a widespread pathogen that causes pythiosis in mammals. Recent increase in cases reported in North America indicates a need to better understand the distribution and persistence of the pathogen in the environment. In this study, we reconstructed the distribution of P. insidiosum in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, located on Assateague Island, Virginia, and based on 136 environmental water samples collected between June and September of 2019. The Refuge hosts two grazing areas for horses, also known as the Chincoteague Ponies. In the past 3 years, 12 horses have succumbed to infection by P. insidiosum. Using an ecological niche model framework, we estimated and mapped suitable areas for P. insidiosum throughout the Refuge. We found P. insidiosum throughout much of the study area. Our results showed significant monthly variation in the predicted suitability, where the most influential environmental predictors were land-surface water and temperature. We found that June, July, and August were the months with the highest suitability for P. insidiosum across the Refuge, while December through March were less favorable months. Likewise, significant differences in suitability were observed between the two grazing areas. The suitability map provided here could also be used to make management decisions, such as monitoring horses for lesions during high risk months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Jara
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Kevin Holcomb
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague, VA, United States
| | - Xuechun Wang
- Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, WA, United States
| | - Erica M Goss
- Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, WA, United States
| | - Gustavo Machado
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
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Zakharova OI, Korennoy FI, Toropova NN, Burova OA, Blokhin AA. Environmental Risk of Leptospirosis in Animals: The Case of The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russian Federation. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060504. [PMID: 32585952 PMCID: PMC7350306 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic natural focal disease caused by the pathogenic bacteria Leptospira. Its spread is related to certain ecological factors. The aim of the current research was to assess potential exposure to the infection as a function of environmental determinants in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russian Federation. We applied environmental niche modeling using leptospirosis cases in livestock and wild animals in 1995–2019 with regard to a set of landscape, climatic, and socioeconomic variables, both for the current climate and for the projected climate for 2041–2060. The MaxEnt model performed well (AUC = 0.930), with the mean temperature of the warmest quarter, mean diurnal range, land cover type, and altitude being the most contributing variables. Consequent zoning based on the proportion of high-risk cells within each administrative unit suggested that five out of the 36 districts of the Republic are at high risk in the current climate conditions, with three more districts expected to demonstrate a high risk by 2060. This study presents the first-ever attempt at leptospirosis ecological modeling in Russia. Its results correspond well to the findings of other authors and underline the importance of considering ecological factors when conducting a leptospirosis risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga I. Zakharova
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute-Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, 603950 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (N.N.T.); (O.A.B.); (A.A.B.)
- Correspondence: (O.I.Z.); (F.I.K.); Tel.: +7-950-617-16-01 (O.I.Z.)
| | - Fedor I. Korennoy
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute-Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, 603950 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (N.N.T.); (O.A.B.); (A.A.B.)
- Federal Center for Animal Health (FGBI ARRIAH), 600901 Vladimir, Russia
- Correspondence: (O.I.Z.); (F.I.K.); Tel.: +7-950-617-16-01 (O.I.Z.)
| | - Nadezhda N. Toropova
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute-Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, 603950 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (N.N.T.); (O.A.B.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Olga A. Burova
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute-Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, 603950 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (N.N.T.); (O.A.B.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Andrey A. Blokhin
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute-Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, 603950 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (N.N.T.); (O.A.B.); (A.A.B.)
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Da Re D, Gilbert M, Chaiban C, Bourguignon P, Thanapongtharm W, Robinson TP, Vanwambeke SO. Downscaling livestock census data using multivariate predictive models: Sensitivity to modifiable areal unit problem. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0221070. [PMID: 31986146 PMCID: PMC6984718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The analysis of census data aggregated by administrative units introduces a statistical bias known as the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). Previous researches have mostly assessed the effect of MAUP on upscaling models. The present study contributes to clarify the effects of MAUP on the downscaling methodologies, highlighting how a priori choices of scales and shapes could influence the results. We aggregated chicken and duck fine-resolution census in Thailand, using three administrative census levels in regular and irregular shapes. We then disaggregated the data within the Gridded Livestock of the World analytical framework, sampling predictors in two different ways. A sensitivity analysis on Pearson's r correlation statistics and RMSE was carried out to understand how size and shapes of the response variables affect the goodness-of-fit and downscaling performances. We showed that scale, rather than shapes and sampling methods, affected downscaling precision, suggesting that training the model using the finest administrative level available is preferable. Moreover, datasets showing non-homogeneous distribution but instead spatial clustering seemed less affected by MAUP, yielding higher Pearson's r values and lower RMSE compared to a more spatially homogenous dataset. Implementing aggregation sensitivity analysis in spatial studies could help to interpret complex results and disseminate robust products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Da Re
- George Lemaitre Centre for Earth and Climate Research, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Marius Gilbert
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Celia Chaiban
- George Lemaitre Centre for Earth and Climate Research, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Bourguignon
- George Lemaitre Centre for Earth and Climate Research, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | | | - Timothy P. Robinson
- Policies, Institutions and Livelihoods (PIL), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
- Livestock Information, Sector Analysis and Policy Branch (AGAL), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy
| | - Sophie O. Vanwambeke
- George Lemaitre Centre for Earth and Climate Research, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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