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Chapman T, Bachoon DS, Martinez GA, Burt CD, DeMontigny WC. Tracking the sources of Leptospira and nutrient flows in two urban watersheds of Puerto Rico. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1318. [PMID: 37833564 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11948-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between nutrient levels, source of fecal contamination, and pathogenic Leptospira in Puerto Rico's northern coast and San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE) aquatic ecosystems. Microbial source tracking (MST) was also used to investigate the connections between sources of feces contamination and the presence of Leptospira. Eighty-seven water samples were collected during the June (n=44) and August (n=43) in 2020. To quantify phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations, standard USEPA protocols were utilized, specifically Methods 365.4 for total and dissolved phosphorus, 351.2 for total Kjeldahl nitrogen and ammonium, and 353.2 for nitrate. Lipl32 gene-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the presence of Leptospira. Human (HF183), canine (BacCan-UCD), and equine (HoF597) MST assays were utilized to trace the origins of fecal contamination. Forty one percent of the locations exceeded Puerto Rico's authorized total phosphorus limit of 160 g L-1, while 34% exceeded the total nitrogen limit of 1700 g L-1. Nearly half of the streams examined are affected by eutrophication. The MST analysis identified human and canine feces as the most prevalent contaminants, affecting approximately 50% of the sites. In addition, Leptospira was detected in 32% of the June samples. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.79) between the incidence of pathogenic Leptospira and the human bacterial marker (HF183). This study illuminates the central role of anthropogenic inputs in nutrient enrichment and pathogen proliferation in Puerto Rico's aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Chapman
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Campus Box 81, Milledgeville, GA, 31061-0490, USA
| | - D S Bachoon
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Campus Box 81, Milledgeville, GA, 31061-0490, USA.
| | - G A Martinez
- University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - C D Burt
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Campus Box 81, Milledgeville, GA, 31061-0490, USA
| | - Wesley C DeMontigny
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Campus Box 81, Milledgeville, GA, 31061-0490, USA
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Petrosyan V, Dinets V, Osipov F, Dergunova N, Khlyap L. Range Dynamics of Striped Field Mouse ( Apodemus agrarius) in Northern Eurasia under Global Climate Change Based on Ensemble Species Distribution Models. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1034. [PMID: 37508463 PMCID: PMC10376031 DOI: 10.3390/biology12071034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1771) is a widespread species in Northern Eurasia. It damages crops and carries zoonotic pathogens. Its current and future range expansion under climate change may negatively affect public health and the economy, warranting further research to understand the ecological and invasive characteristics of the species. In our study, we used seven algorithms (GLM, GAM, GBS, FDA, RF, ANN, and MaxEnt) to develop robust ensemble species distribution models (eSDMs) under current (1970-2000) and future climate conditions derived from global circulation models (GCMs) for 2021-2040, 2041-2060, 2061-2080, and 2081-2100. Simulation of climate change included high-, medium-, and low-sensitivity GCMs under four scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5). We analyzed the habitat suitability across GCMs and scenarios by constructing geographical ranges and calculating their centroids. The results showed that the range changes depended on both the sensitivity of GCMs and scenario. The main trends were range expansion to the northeast and partial loss of habitat in the steppe area. The striped field mouse may form a continuous range from Central Europe to East Asia, closing the range gap that has existed for 12 thousand years. We present 49 eSDMs for the current and future distribution of A. agrarius (for 2000-2100) with quantitative metrics (gain, loss, change) of the range dynamics under global climate change. The most important predictor variables determining eSDMs are mean annual temperature, mean diurnal range of temperatures, the highest temperature of the warmest month, annual precipitation, and precipitation in the coldest month. These findings could help limit the population of the striped field mouse and predict distribution of the species under global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varos Petrosyan
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Vladimir Dinets
- Psychology Department, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Fedor Osipov
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Natalia Dergunova
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Lyudmila Khlyap
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
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3
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Anderson T, Hamond C, Haluch A, Toot K, Nally JE, LeCount K, Schlater LK. Animals Exposed to Leptospira Serogroups Not Included in Bacterins in the United States and Puerto Rico. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8030183. [PMID: 36977184 PMCID: PMC10051158 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8030183] [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: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease. Pathogenic leptospires colonize the renal tubules and genital tract of animals and are excreted via urine. Transmission occurs via direct contact or through contaminated water or soil. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) is the gold standard for the serodiagnosis of leptospirosis. The present study aims to evaluate animal exposure to Leptospira in the U.S. and Puerto Rico during the period 2018-2020. The presence of antibodies against pathogenic Leptospira spp. was assessed with the MAT according to the standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health. A total of 568 sera were submitted for diagnostic, surveillance, or import/export testing from the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Seropositivity (≥1:100) was 51.8% (294/568) with agglutinating antibodies found in 115 (39.1%) cattle, 84 (28.6%) exotic animals, 38 (12.9%) horses, 22 (7.5%) goats, 15 (5.1%) dogs, 11 (3.7%) swine, and 9 (3.1%) sheep. The most detected serogroups were Australis, Grippotyphosa, and Ballum. The results showed that animals were exposed to serogroups/serovars not included in commercial bacterins such as Ballum, Bratislava (only in swine vaccine), and Tarassovi. Our findings suggest that more studies should include culture and concomitant genotyping to reduce animal disease and zoonotic risk through efficacious vaccine and diagnostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammy Anderson
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Camila Hamond
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Andréa Haluch
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Kari Toot
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Jarlath E Nally
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, ARS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Karen LeCount
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Linda K Schlater
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
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4
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Hamond C, Dirsmith KL, LeCount K, Soltero FV, Rivera-Garcia S, Camp P, Anderson T, Hicks JA, Galloway R, Sutherland G, Schafer IJ, Goris MGA, van der Linden H, Stuber T, Bayles DO, Schlater LK, Nally JE. Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo and Leptospira santarosai serogroup Pyrogenes isolated from bovine dairy herds in Puerto Rico. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1025282. [PMID: 36467637 PMCID: PMC9712998 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1025282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world and endemic in the Caribbean Islands. Bovine leptospirosis is an important reproductive disease. Globally, cattle are recognized as a reservoir host for L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo, which is transmitted via urine, semen, and uterine discharges, and can result in abortion and poor reproductive performance. The dairy industry in Puerto Rico comprises up to 25% of agriculture-related income and is historically the most financially important agricultural commodity on the island. In this study, we report the isolation of two different pathogenic Leptospira species, from two different serogroups, from urine samples collected from dairy cows in Puerto Rico: L. borgpetersenii serogroup Sejroe serovar Hardjo and L. santarosai serogroup Pyrogenes. Recovered isolates were classified using whole-genome sequencing, serotyping with reference antisera and monoclonal antibodies, and immunoblotting. These results demonstrate that dairy herds in Puerto Rico can be concurrently infected with more than one species and serovar of Leptospira, and that bacterin vaccines and serologic diagnostics should account for this when applying intervention and diagnostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Hamond
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Center for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Katherine L. Dirsmith
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services Field Operations, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Karen LeCount
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Center for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Fred V. Soltero
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services Field Operations, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Sarai Rivera-Garcia
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services Field Operations, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Patrick Camp
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Tammy Anderson
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Center for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jessica A. Hicks
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Renee Galloway
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Graham Sutherland
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ilana J. Schafer
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Marga G. A. Goris
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, World Organisation for Animal Health and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hans van der Linden
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, World Organisation for Animal Health and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tod Stuber
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Darrell O. Bayles
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Linda K. Schlater
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Center for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jarlath E. Nally
- National Center for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
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López-Osorio S, Molano DA, López-Arias A, Rodríguez-Osorio N, Zambrano C, Chaparro-Gutiérrez JJ. Seroprevalence and Molecular Characterization of Leptospira spp. in Rats Captured near Pig Farms in Colombia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11539. [PMID: 36141812 PMCID: PMC9517367 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Gram-negative spirochete Leptospira spp. causes leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is still a neglected disease, even though it can cause potentially fatal infections in a variety of species including humans. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in pig farm captured rodents and characterize the isolated samples. Rats were captured, sampled, and euthanized in the vicinity of pig farms to obtain serum for microagglutination tests (MAT) and kidney tissues for PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA and LipL32 genes. A fraction of the 16S rRNA PCR product was sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. The results showed a Leptospira seroprevalence of 13.8% (77/555) among the 555 captured rats. PCR positivity for Leptospira spp. reached 31.2% (156/500), and the positivity for pathogenic Leptospira spp. was 4% (22/500). Phylogenetic analysis matched eight samples with L. interrogans serovar icterohaemorrhagiae and two with L. interrogans serovar pyrogenes. Two sequences were located within the pathogenic Leptospira clade but did not match with any specific strain. The seroprevalence found in the rats around swine farms indicates a potential risk of transmission to the pigs. The identification of pathogenic Leptospira outlines the importance of more research as well as updating the current strategies for the diagnosis, control, and prevention of porcine leptospirosis in Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara López-Osorio
- Grupo de Investigación CIBAV, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia-UdeA, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Diego A. Molano
- Grupo de Investigación CIBAV, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia-UdeA, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Anderson López-Arias
- Grupo de Investigación CIBAV, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia-UdeA, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Nélida Rodríguez-Osorio
- Unidad de Genómica y Bioinformática, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, Salto 50000, Uruguay
| | - Corina Zambrano
- Asociación Porkcolombia-FNP, Ceniporcino, Bogotá 111311, Colombia
| | - Jenny J. Chaparro-Gutiérrez
- Grupo de Investigación CIBAV, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia-UdeA, Medellín 050034, Colombia
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6
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Waage J, Grace D, Fèvre EM, McDermott J, Lines J, Wieland B, Naylor NR, Hassell JM, Chan K. Changing food systems and infectious disease risks in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet Planet Health 2022; 6:e760-e768. [PMID: 36087606 PMCID: PMC9451496 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00116-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of COVID-19 has drawn the attention of health researchers sharply back to the role that food systems can play in generating human disease burden. But emerging pandemic threats are just one dimension of the complex relationship between agriculture and infectious disease, which is evolving rapidly, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) that are undergoing rapid food system transformation. We examine this changing relationship through four current disease issues. The first is that greater investment in irrigation to improve national food security raises risks of vector-borne disease, which we illustrate with the case of malaria and rice in Africa. The second is that the intensification of livestock production in LMICs brings risks of zoonotic diseases like cysticercosis, which need to be managed as consumer demand grows. The third is that the nutritional benefits of increasing supply of fresh vegetables, fruit, and animal-sourced foods in markets in LMICs pose new food-borne disease risks, which might undermine supply. The fourth issue is that the potential human health risks of antimicrobial resistance from agriculture are intensified by changing livestock production. For each disease issue, we explore how food system transition is creating unintentional infectious disease risks, and what solutions might exist for these problems. We show that successfully addressing all of these challenges requires a coordinated approach between public health and agricultural sectors, recognising the costs and benefits of disease-reducing interventions to both, and seeking win-win solutions that are most likely to attract broad policy support and uptake by food systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Waage
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Delia Grace
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Eric M Fèvre
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - John McDermott
- International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jo Lines
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Barbara Wieland
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland; Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nichola R Naylor
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - James M Hassell
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kallista Chan
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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7
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Hamond C, Browne AS, de Wilde LH, Hornsby RL, LeCount K, Anderson T, Stuber T, Cranford HM, Browne SK, Blanchard G, Horner D, Taylor ML, Evans M, Angeli NF, Roth J, Bisgard KM, Salzer JS, Schafer IJ, Ellis BR, Alt DP, Schlater L, Nally JE, Ellis EM. Assessing rodents as carriers of pathogenic Leptospira species in the U.S. Virgin Islands and their risk to animal and public health. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1132. [PMID: 35064157 PMCID: PMC8782869 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04846-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. We sought to determine if rodents in U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) are carriers of Leptospira. In total, 140 rodents were sampled, including 112 Mus musculus and 28 Rattus rattus. A positive carrier status was identified for 64/140 (45.7%); 49 (35.0%) were positive by dark-field microscopy, 60 (42.9%) by culture, 63 (45.0%) by fluorescent antibody testing, and 61 (43.6%) by real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR). Molecular typing indicated that 48 isolates were L. borgpetersenii and 3 were L. kirschneri; the remaining nine comprised mixed species. In the single culture-negative sample that was rtPCR positive, genotyping directly from the kidney identified L. interrogans. Serotyping of L. borgpetersenii isolates identified serogroup Ballum and L. kirschneri isolates as serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae. These results demonstrate that rodents are significant Leptospira carriers and adds to understanding the ecoepidemiology of leptospirosis in USVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Hamond
- APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA, USA
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, NCAH Leptospira Working Group, Ames, IA, USA
| | - A Springer Browne
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, VI, USA
- Domestic Animal Health Analytics Team, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Leah H de Wilde
- U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, VI, USA
| | - Richard L Hornsby
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, NCAH Leptospira Working Group, Ames, IA, USA
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center-USDA-ARS, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, USA
| | - Karen LeCount
- APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA, USA
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, NCAH Leptospira Working Group, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Tammy Anderson
- APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA, USA
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, NCAH Leptospira Working Group, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Tod Stuber
- APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA, USA
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, NCAH Leptospira Working Group, Ames, IA, USA
| | | | - Stephanie K Browne
- U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, VI, USA
- Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gerard Blanchard
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, Charlotte Amalie, VI, USA
| | | | - Marissa L Taylor
- U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, VI, USA
| | - Michael Evans
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fredericksted, VI, USA
| | - Nicole F Angeli
- U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Fredericksted, VI, USA
| | - Joseph Roth
- U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, VI, USA
| | - Kristine M Bisgard
- Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Johanna S Salzer
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ilana J Schafer
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brett R Ellis
- U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, VI, USA
| | - David P Alt
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, NCAH Leptospira Working Group, Ames, IA, USA
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center-USDA-ARS, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, USA
| | - Linda Schlater
- APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA, USA
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, NCAH Leptospira Working Group, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Jarlath E Nally
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, NCAH Leptospira Working Group, Ames, IA, USA.
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center-USDA-ARS, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, USA.
| | - Esther M Ellis
- U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, VI, USA
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8
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Cranford HM, Browne AS, LeCount K, Anderson T, Hamond C, Schlater L, Stuber T, Burke-France VJ, Taylor M, Harrison CJ, Matias KY, Medley A, Rossow J, Wiese N, Jankelunas L, de Wilde L, Mehalick M, Blanchard GL, Garcia KR, McKinley AS, Lombard CD, Angeli NF, Horner D, Kelley T, Worthington DJ, Valiulis J, Bradford B, Berentsen A, Salzer JS, Galloway R, Schafer IJ, Bisgard K, Roth J, Ellis BR, Ellis EM, Nally JE. Mongooses (Urva auropunctata) as reservoir hosts of Leptospira species in the United States Virgin Islands, 2019-2020. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009859. [PMID: 34780473 PMCID: PMC8592401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During 2019-2020, the Virgin Islands Department of Health investigated potential animal reservoirs of Leptospira spp., the bacteria that cause leptospirosis. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated Leptospira spp. exposure and carriage in the small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata, syn: Herpestes auropunctatus), an invasive animal species. This study was conducted across the three main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), which are St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. We used the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), fluorescent antibody test (FAT), real-time polymerase chain reaction (lipl32 rt-PCR), and bacterial culture to evaluate serum and kidney specimens and compared the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of these laboratory methods. Mongooses (n = 274) were live-trapped at 31 field sites in ten regions across USVI and humanely euthanized for Leptospira spp. testing. Bacterial isolates were sequenced and evaluated for species and phylogenetic analysis using the ppk gene. Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were detected in 34% (87/256) of mongooses. Reactions were observed with the following serogroups: Sejroe, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, Mini, Cynopteri, Australis, Hebdomadis, Autumnalis, Mankarso, Pomona, and Ballum. Of the kidney specimens examined, 5.8% (16/270) were FAT-positive, 10% (27/274) were culture-positive, and 12.4% (34/274) were positive by rt-PCR. Of the Leptospira spp. isolated from mongooses, 25 were L. borgpetersenii, one was L. interrogans, and one was L. kirschneri. Positive predictive values of FAT and rt-PCR testing for predicting successful isolation of Leptospira by culture were 88% and 65%, respectively. The isolation and identification of Leptospira spp. in mongooses highlights the potential role of mongooses as a wildlife reservoir of leptospirosis; mongooses could be a source of Leptospira spp. infections for other wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Cranford
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - A. Springer Browne
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Karen LeCount
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Tammy Anderson
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Camila Hamond
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Linda Schlater
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Tod Stuber
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Valicia J. Burke-France
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Marissa Taylor
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Cosme J. Harrison
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Katia Y. Matias
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Public Health Laboratory, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Medley
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - John Rossow
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Wiese
- Laboratory Leadership Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Leanne Jankelunas
- Epidemiology Elective Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Leah de Wilde
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Michelle Mehalick
- St. Croix Animal Welfare Center, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Gerard L. Blanchard
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Keith R. Garcia
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Alan S. McKinley
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Claudia D. Lombard
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Nicole F. Angeli
- United States Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - David Horner
- National Park Service, Cruz Bay, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Thomas Kelley
- National Park Service, Cruz Bay, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | | | - Jennifer Valiulis
- St. Croix Environmental Association, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Bethany Bradford
- United States Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Are Berentsen
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Johanna S. Salzer
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Renee Galloway
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ilana J. Schafer
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kristine Bisgard
- Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Joseph Roth
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Brett R. Ellis
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Public Health Laboratory, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Esther M. Ellis
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Jarlath E. Nally
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- Agricultural Research Service, Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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9
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Hernandez-Bures A, Pieper JB, Bidot WA, O’Dell M, Sander WE, Maddox CW. Survey of dermatophytes in stray dogs and cats with and without skin lesions in Puerto Rico and confirmed with MALDI-TOF MS. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257514. [PMID: 34559833 PMCID: PMC8462699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dermatophytosis is a common and highly contagious zoonotic skin disease in companion animals. This disease is a major concern in geographical areas that contain large numbers of stray animal populations. Numerous surveys on dermatophytosis among stray animal populations worldwide range between 27% to 50%. In recent years, the US territory of Puerto Rico was impacted by several natural disasters such as hurricanes, which has led to a large increase of abandonment cases and an increase in the stray animal population. Due to this, large low-cost spay/neuter clinics and trap-neuter-release programs have become a more common practice on the island. During these events, veterinary staff are exposed to multiple animals with no health history, and therefore, zoonotic diseases are of concern. The aim of this study was to provide information regarding the presence of dermatophyte species in symptomatic and asymptomatic stray dogs and cats in a region of Puerto Rico. Hair samples were collected from 99 stray animals with and without dermatological clinical signs. The hair samples were cultured on plates containing rapid sporulation medium and dermatophyte test medium. All cultures were evaluated microscopically to confirm the presence of dermatophytes. Then, all dermatophytes were further evaluated with MALDI-TOF MS to compare both diagnostic tests. A total of 19 animals (19%) were positive for dermatophyte growth. Of these animals, 18/19 were infected with M. canis and 1/19 with Trichophyton spp. Animals with clinical lesions were positive only 13.5% of the time compared to asymptomatic animals, who were positive in 36% of the sample population. All 19 dermatophytes (100%) diagnosed with microscopic evaluation were confirmed with MALDI-TOF MS. Our results indicate that there is a prevalence of 19% of dermatophytosis among the stray dog and cat population of the southeastern coast of the island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Hernandez-Bures
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jason B. Pieper
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Willie A. Bidot
- Office of Animal Resources, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, United States of America
| | - Miranda O’Dell
- University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United State of America
| | - William E. Sander
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Carol W. Maddox
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
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10
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Silva JCR, Marvulo MFV, Ferreira F, Dias RA, Ferreira Neto JS, Heinemann MB, Andrade Filho GV, Souza GO, Lima Filho CDF, Magalhães FJR, Lilenbaum W, Dellagostin OA, de Oliveira NR, Jorge S, Kremer FS, Santos CM, Esteves SB, Miotto BA. Seroepidemiological investigation of animal leptospirosis and molecular characterization of the first Leptospira strain isolated from Fernando de Noronha archipelago, Brazil. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:2477-2488. [PMID: 33159384 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13915] [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: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis has been widely reported in insular environments worldwide, characterizing a major public health threat. Although low-genetic biodiversity is expected in these regions, the introduction of domestic and synanthropic mammals may contribute to the wider diversity of leptospiral strains in insular settings. This study proposes a large-scale seroepidemiological investigation of Leptospira infection in animals from Fernando de Noronha archipelago and describes the characterization of the first leptospiral strain ever isolated from an insular setting in Brazil. A total of 1,265 blood samples from domestic (n = 682), synanthropic (n = 133) and wild (n = 450) animals were collected between 2007 and 2014, totalling 12 species. The presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies was investigated by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and kidney samples from 20 synanthropic rodents were collected for the isolation of Leptospira spp. The leptospires recovered were further characterized by serogrouping with polyclonal antibodies, whole-genome sequencing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The MAT results revealed the presence of agglutinins in 90 samples (7.1%) and the most frequently found serogroup was Icterohaemorrhagiae (n = 57) in practically all species included. Viable leptospires were recovered from one brown rat, and characterization revealed that the isolate belongs to L. interrogans serogroup Pyrogenes. The results suggest that synanthropic rodents might play an important role in leptospiral infection among wildlife and domestic species in the archipelago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Carlos Ramos Silva
- Laboratório de Saúde Única, Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Instituto Brasileiro para Medicina da Conservação - Tríade, Recife, Brazil
| | - Maria Fernanda Vianna Marvulo
- Instituto Brasileiro para Medicina da Conservação - Tríade, Recife, Brazil
- Centro Universitário Max Planck, Indaiatuba, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ferreira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Augusto Dias
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Soares Ferreira Neto
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Bryan Heinemann
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Vieira Andrade Filho
- Laboratório de Saúde Única, Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Gisele Oliveira Souza
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Walter Lilenbaum
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Odir Antonio Dellagostin
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Natasha Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Jorge
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Frederico Schmitt Kremer
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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11
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Medeiros LDS, Braga Domingos SC, Azevedo MIND, Peruquetti RC, de Albuquerque NF, D'Andrea PS, Botelho ALDM, Crisóstomo CF, Vieira AS, Martins G, Teixeira BR, Carvalho-Costa FA, Lilenbaum W. Small Mammals as Carriers/Hosts of Leptospira spp. in the Western Amazon Forest. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:569004. [PMID: 33344523 PMCID: PMC7738340 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.569004] [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: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospira is a bacteria that causes leptospirosis and is transmitted through water, soil, or mud that is contaminated by the urine of infected animals. Although it is mainly associated with the urban environment, Leptospires also circulate in rural and wild environments. This study aimed to investigate the role of small mammals in leptospirosis epidemiology in the western Amazon, Brazil. In total, 103 animals from 23 species belonging to the orders Didelphimorphia and Rodentia were captured. Blood, kidney, and urine samples were collected and Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), lipL32 PCR, secY sequencing, and culturing were conducted. MAT was reactive on 1/15 sera, and no bacterial isolate was obtained. PCR yielded 44.7% positive samples from 16 species. Twenty samples were genetically characterized and identified as L. interrogans (n = 12), L. noguchii (n = 4), and L. santarosai (n = 4). No statistical association was found between the prevalence of infection by Leptospira spp. in small mammals within carrier/hosts species, orders, study area, and forest strata. Our results indicate a high prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in several rodent and marsupial species and report the first evidence of Leptospira spp. carrier/hosts in the Brazilian Western Amazon.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rui Carlos Peruquetti
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Sérgio D'Andrea
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, IOC, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Anahi Souto Vieira
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Martins
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Bernardo Rodrigues Teixeira
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, IOC, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Walter Lilenbaum
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
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12
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Truitt ZG, Poon-Kwong B, Bachoon DS, Otero E. Seasonal shifts in the presence of pathogenic leptospires, Escherichia coli, and physicochemical properties in coastal rivers and streams of Puerto Rico. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2020; 49:1264-1272. [PMID: 33016462 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic disease in the Caribbean region and the island of Puerto Rico. Information on the presence of pathogenic Leptospira in rivers and streams of Puerto Rico is currently lacking. This study aimed to evaluate seasonal shifts in the presence of pathogenic leptospires and the level of Escherichia coli from 32 coastal locations in Puerto Rico's dry and wet seasons. Physicochemical parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen) were determined at each site. The temperature (25.8 °C) and pH (average 7.6) values were all within acceptable USEPA regulatory standards. Thirty-eight percent of the sites of the dry season and 28% of the wet season sites contained dissolved oxygen levels ≤4 mg L-1 , which is relatively low. In the dry season, 19 sites (59%) and 18 (56%) of the wet season sites had E. coli counts >410 most probable number (MPN) 100 ml-1 and would be considered unsafe for recreational use. The lipl32 gene quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was used for the detection of pathogenic leptospires in the samples. Low concentrations of pathogenic leptospires (<60 genome copies 100 ml-1 ) at Camuy, Espíritu Santo, Río Guayanilla, Quebrada Majagual, and Río Fajardo were detected during the wet season. Pathogenic leptospires were detected (∼40 genome copies 100 ml-1 ) at only one site, Loíza, during the dry season. There was no predictable relationship between the physicochemical parameters, concentrations of E. coli, and the presence of pathogenic leptospires in water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zamara G Truitt
- Dep. of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State Univ., Milledgeville, GA, 31061, USA
| | - B Poon-Kwong
- Dep. of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State Univ., Milledgeville, GA, 31061, USA
| | - D S Bachoon
- Dep. of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State Univ., Milledgeville, GA, 31061, USA
| | - E Otero
- Dep. of Marine Sciences, Univ. of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, P.O. Box 9013, Mayaguez, PR, 00681, USA
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13
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Briskin EA, Casanovas-Massana A, Ryff KR, Morales-Estrada S, Hamond C, Perez-Rodriguez NM, Benavidez KM, Weinberger DM, Castro-Arellano I, Wunder EA, Sharp TM, Rivera-Garcia B, Ko AI. Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, and Rodent Reservoirs of Leptospirosis in an Urban Community of Puerto Rico, 2015. J Infect Dis 2019; 220:1489-1497. [PMID: 31342075 PMCID: PMC6761939 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of leptospirosis in Puerto Rico remains unclear due to underreporting. METHODS A cross-sectional survey and rodent trapping was performed in a community within San Juan, Puerto Rico to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for Leptospira infection. The microscopic agglutination test was used to detect anti-Leptospira antibodies as a marker of previous infection. We evaluated Leptospira carriage by quantitative polymerase chain reaction among rodents trapped at the community site. RESULTS Of 202 study participants, 55 (27.2%) had Leptospira agglutinating antibodies. Among the 55 seropositive individuals, antibodies were directed most frequently against serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae (22.0%) and Autumnalis (10.6%). Of 18 captured rodents, 11 (61.1%) carried pathogenic Leptospira (Leptospira borgpetersenii, 7 and Leptospira interrogans, 2). Four participants showed their highest titer against an isolate obtained from a rodent (serogroup Ballum). Increasing household distance to the canal that runs through the community was associated with decreased risk of infection (odds ratio = 0.934 per 10-meter increase; 95% confidence interval, .952-.992). CONCLUSIONS There are high levels of Leptospira exposure in an urban setting in Puerto Rico, for which rodents may be an important reservoir for transmission. Our findings indicate that prevention should focus on mitigating risk posed by infrastructure deficiencies such as the canal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Briskin
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Arnau Casanovas-Massana
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kyle R Ryff
- Office of Epidemiology, Puerto Rico Department of Health, San Juan Puerto Rico
| | | | - Camila Hamond
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Nicole M Perez-Rodriguez
- Dengue Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Daniel M Weinberger
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | - Elsio A Wunder
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Tyler M Sharp
- Dengue Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Albert I Ko
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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