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Prager KC, Danil K, Wurster E, Colegrove KM, Galloway R, Kettler N, Mani R, McDonough RF, Sahl JW, Stone NE, Wagner DM, Lloyd-Smith JO. Detection of Leptospira kirschneri in a short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis delphis) stranded off the coast of southern California, USA. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:266. [PMID: 38902706 PMCID: PMC11188202 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04111-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenic Leptospira species are globally important zoonotic pathogens capable of infecting a wide range of host species. In marine mammals, reports of Leptospira have predominantly been in pinnipeds, with isolated reports of infections in cetaceans. CASE PRESENTATION On 28 June 2021, a 150.5 cm long female, short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis delphis) stranded alive on the coast of southern California and subsequently died. Gross necropsy revealed multifocal cortical pallor within the reniculi of the kidney, and lymphoplasmacytic tubulointerstitial nephritis was observed histologically. Immunohistochemistry confirmed Leptospira infection, and PCR followed by lfb1 gene amplicon sequencing suggested that the infecting organism was L.kirschneri. Leptospira DNA capture and enrichment allowed for whole-genome sequencing to be conducted. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the causative agent was a previously undescribed, divergent lineage of L.kirschneri. CONCLUSIONS We report the first detection of pathogenic Leptospira in a short-beaked common dolphin, and the first detection in any cetacean in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Renal lesions were consistent with leptospirosis in other host species, including marine mammals, and were the most significant lesions detected overall, suggesting leptospirosis as the likely cause of death. We identified the cause of the infection as L.kirschneri, a species detected only once before in a marine mammal - a northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) of the northeastern Pacific. These findings raise questions about the mechanism of transmission, given the obligate marine lifestyle of cetaceans (in contrast to pinnipeds, which spend time on land) and the commonly accepted view that Leptospira are quickly killed by salt water. They also raise important questions regarding the source of infection, and whether it arose from transmission among marine mammals or from terrestrial-to-marine spillover. Moving forward, surveillance and sampling must be expanded to better understand the extent to which Leptospira infections occur in the marine ecosystem and possible epidemiological linkages between and among marine and terrestrial host species. Generating Leptospira genomes from different host species will yield crucial information about possible transmission links, and our study highlights the power of new techniques such as DNA enrichment to illuminate the complex ecology of this important zoonotic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Prager
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Kerri Danil
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Elyse Wurster
- Ocean Associates Inc. Under Contract to Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Kathleen M Colegrove
- Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL, 60513, USA
| | - Renee Galloway
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Niesa Kettler
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48825, USA
| | - Rinosh Mani
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48825, USA
| | - Ryelan F McDonough
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Jason W Sahl
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Nathan E Stone
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - David M Wagner
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - James O Lloyd-Smith
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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Eikenbary B, Devaraju P, Chakkravarthi A, Sihag KK, Nathan T, Thangaraj G, Srinivasan L, Kumar A. A molecular survey of zoonotic pathogens of public health importance in rodents/shrews and their ectoparasites trapped in Puducherry, India. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2024:trae033. [PMID: 38768316 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trae033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, India has a high zoonotic disease burden and lacks surveillance data in humans and animals. Rodents are known reservoirs for many zoonotic diseases and their synanthropic behavior poses a great public health threat. METHODS In this study, trapped rodents/shrews from randomly selected villages within Puducherry, India, and their ectoparasites were screened for zoonotic pathogens, namely, Orientia tsutsugamushi, other pathogenic rickettsiae, Leptospira spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Coxiella burnetii and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using conventional PCR. A total of 58 rodents/shrews were trapped from 11 villages. The species trapped were Suncus murinus (49/58, 84.48%), Rattus rattus (8/58, 13.79%) and Rattus norvegicus (1/58, 1.72%). All ectoparasites collected were identified as mites and its infestation rate was 46.55% (27/58). RESULTS Real-time PCR targeting the 47 kDa gene of O. tsutsugamushi revealed positivity in one rodent and one shrew (3.45%) and two mite pools (7.41%). Conventional PCR targeting the 56 kDa gene revealed positivity in one shrew and two mite pools and the phylogenetic analysis of all three amplicons indicated the circulation of the Gilliam-related serotype. MRSA was detected in the alimentary tract of a shrew (1/32, 3.13%). Leptospira spp., Rickettsia, Cryptosporidium spp. and Co. burnetii tested negative. CONCLUSIONS The detection of zoonotic pathogens within reservoir hosts and vectors poses a risk of transmission to humans. This study signifies the need for zoonotic pathogen surveillance in synanthropic rodents/shrews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenna Eikenbary
- Department of Global Health, Georgetown University, Washington DC, 20057, USA
| | - Panneer Devaraju
- Unit of One Health, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
| | | | - Krishan Kumar Sihag
- Unit of One Health, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Terence Nathan
- Unit of One Health, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Gowdham Thangaraj
- Unit of One Health, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Lakshmy Srinivasan
- Unit of One Health, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
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3
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Sayanthi Y, Susanna D. Pathogenic Leptospira contamination in the environment: a systematic review. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2024; 14:2324820. [PMID: 38511199 PMCID: PMC10953783 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2024.2324820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The pathogenic Leptospira is maintained in renal tubules of certain animals, mostly rodents, and excreted in the urine which can contaminate the environment. It is necessary to detect pathogenic Leptospira in environmental samples. Knowing the survival of Leptospira in the environment (water and soil) can provide an overview of where and how they can be transmitted to humans. Objective Therefore, this study aimed to provide a systematic overview of pathogenic Leptospira presence in water and soil environment, the various species of pathogenic Leptospira that are harmful for human, and the ability to survive using a systematic review method. Methods The search process used four databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and ProQuest. Furthermore, the articles sought were published from 2000 to July 2021, and 38 were analysed. Results The pathogenic Leptospira contamination in water was higher in urban areas, while soil samples were higher in rural areas. Various pathogenic Leptospira detected in the environment were L. alstonii, L. kmetyi, L. noguchii, and L. interrogans. Those pathogenic Leptospira can survive in water at 4-30°C and at pH < 7; in soil, it can survive at a humidity of < 20% and a pH < 6. Conclusion Urban and rural areas have the same risk for leptospirosis disease because pathogenic Leptospira (P1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Sayanthi
- Postgraduate Program in Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
- Department of Training-Services, PT. Immarez Solusi Utama Consultant - Training – Services, Serang, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Dewi Susanna
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
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Philip N, Ahmed K. Leptospirosis in Malaysia: current status, insights, and future prospects. J Physiol Anthropol 2023; 42:30. [PMID: 38087323 PMCID: PMC10714552 DOI: 10.1186/s40101-023-00347-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Among zoonotic infections, leptospirosis has a worldwide distribution and high prevalence in tropical regions. It has a broad clinical presentation from mild to severe, life-threatening infection. Leptospires, the etiological agent of leptospirosis, are found in varied ecological niches and animal species, providing a significant source of human infection. This review aims to provide the current status of leptospirosis in Malaysia and the direction for future studies. The literature search for this review was performed using PubMed, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar databases. The incidence of leptospirosis in Malaysia from 2004 to 2020 varied; however, a large number of cases occurred during floods. Leptospira has been isolated from wild and domestic animals as well as from the environment; among them, several novel species have been identified. In Malaysia, leptospirosis infection and death were mostly associated with recreational and non-recreational water activities. Despite the endemicity of leptospirosis, the public's knowledge, attitude, and practice level are relatively low in this country. More studies are needed in Malaysia to explore the extent of leptospirosis in different settings and locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noraini Philip
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Kamruddin Ahmed
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
- Borneo Medical and Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
- Research Center for Global and Local Infectious Diseases, Oita University, Oita, Japan.
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Hagiya H, Koyama T, Otsuka F. Epidemiological Characteristics and Trends in the Incidence of Leptospirosis in Japan: A Nationwide, Observational Study from 2006 to 2021. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 109:589-594. [PMID: 37487568 PMCID: PMC10484259 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
During this age of climate change, the incidence of tropical diseases may change. This study compared the epidemiological characteristics and trends of leptospirosis in Japan between the endemic region, Okinawa, and the rest of the country. Infectious Diseases Weekly Reports were used to determine the numbers and crude incidence rates of leptospirosis. Data were stratified by sex, age, the estimated location of the infection, the notified regions, and the reporting month. A joinpoint regression analysis was performed to estimate the annual percentage change (APC). During the 16-year study period (2006-2021), 543 leptospirosis cases were reported, with male dominance (86.2%). Approximately half of these cases were reported from Okinawa (47.1%). The patients were relatively younger in Okinawa (20-29 years, 23.4%; 30-39 years, 20.7%) than outside Okinawa. The frequency of imported cases was significantly higher outside Okinawa (0.4% versus 14.3%). The incidences of leptospirosis in and outside Okinawa were apparently higher during the summer and typhoon seasons. The annual crude incidence ratios were 20-200 times higher in Okinawa than in the rest of the country. The average APCs for the entire study period in Okinawa and the rest of Japan were 1.6% (95% CI: -5.9 to 9.6) and -1.8% (95% CI: -7.8 to 4.6), respectively, without any particular trends. Collectively, the patient profile of leptospirosis differed between Okinawa (younger men) and outside Okinawa (middle- or older-aged men with a history of traveling abroad). The disease remains a neglected tropical disease; continuous surveillance with close monitoring is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideharu Hagiya
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitaku, Okayama, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Koyama
- Department of Health Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Fumio Otsuka
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitaku, Okayama, Japan
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6
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Yang T, Yang W, Kuang G, Pan H, Han X, Yang L, Wang J, Feng Y. Prevalence and Characteristics of Novel Pathogenic Leptospira Species in Bats in Yunnan Province, China. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1619. [PMID: 37375121 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis has been identified as a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the bacterial genus Leptospira. Rodents are considered the primary hosts of these bacteria, whereas many recent studies suggest that bats may serve as potential natural reservoirs. However, studies on pathogenic spirochetes hosted by bat populations still need to be completed in China. In this study, a total of 276 bats belonging to five genera collected in Yunnan Province (Southwest China) from 2017 to 2021 were included in the screening. Pathogenic spirochetes were detected by PCR amplification and sequencing targeting four genes (rrs, secY, flaB, and LipL32), resulting in 17 positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis based on multi-loci concatenated sequences, inferred by MLST approach, identified the strains as two novel Leptospira species within the pathogenic group. Of note, only Rousettus leschenaultii was found to harbor these spirochetes, suggesting it may be one of the potential natural reservoirs in circulating leptospires in this region. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis and transmission dynamics still need to be fully understood, requiring in-depth studies on other animals and the surrounding population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Yang
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, China
| | - Weihong Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, China
| | - Guopeng Kuang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, China
| | - Hong Pan
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xi Han
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, China
| | - Lifen Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yun Feng
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, China
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Rosli MZ, Mohd-Taib FS, Khoo JJ, Chee HY, Wong YP, Shafie NJ, Mohamed NZ, AbuBakar S, Nor SM. A Multi-landscape Assessment of Leptospira Prevalence on a Diversity of Small Mammals. ECOHEALTH 2023; 20:208-224. [PMID: 37103759 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-023-01637-8] [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: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a major zoonotic disease, especially in the tropics, and rodents were known to be carriers of this bacterium. There was established information on Leptospira prevalence among animal reservoirs in human-dominated landscapes from previous literature. However, there was very little focus given comparing the prevalence of Leptospira in a wide range of habitats. An extensive sampling of small mammals from various landscapes was carried out, covering oil palm plantations, paddy fields, recreational forests, semi-urbans, and wet markets in Peninsular Malaysia. This study aims to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira in a diversity of small mammals across different landscapes. Cage-trapping was deployed for small mammals' trappings, and the kidneys of captured individuals were extracted, for screening of pathogenic Leptospira by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using LipL32 primer. Eight microhabitat parameters were measured at each study site. Out of 357 individuals captured, 21 (5.9%) were positive for pathogenic Leptospira of which recreational forest had the highest prevalence (8.8%) for landscape types, whereas Sundamys muelleri shows the highest prevalence (50%) among small mammals' species. Microhabitat analysis reveals that rubbish quantity (p < 0.05) significantly influenced the Leptospira prevalence among small mammals. Furthermore, nMDS analysis indicates that the presence of faeces, food waste, and exposure to humans in each landscape type also were linked with high prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira among the small mammals. This study supplements previous studies on pathogenic Leptospira prevalence across different landscape types, and the major microhabitat factors associated with Leptospira prevalence. This information is crucial for epidemiological surveillance and habitat management to curb the possibility of the disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zahin Rosli
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Farah Shafawati Mohd-Taib
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Jing Jing Khoo
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hui Yee Chee
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Yien Ping Wong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Nur Juliani Shafie
- School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Nor Zalipah Mohamed
- School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shukor Md Nor
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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Molecular and Serological Identification of Pathogenic Leptospira in Local and Imported Cattle from Lebanon. Transbound Emerg Dis 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/3784416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide bacterial zoonosis for which the risk increases in warm and wet climates. Despite the suitability of the local climate for the bacteria’s persistence, Lebanon lacks a formal system of prophylaxis for the prevention of Leptospira infection in both humans and animals, and the disease’s epidemiology is unknown so far. As a preliminary step, we focused on Leptospira infection in cattle, which is of public health and economic concern. We conducted a descriptive study in cattle from the governorate of Mount Lebanon (ML) and in imported cattle. A total of 187 blood and 135 serum samples were provided. Among the 187 blood samples, 135 were from randomly selected animals from 14 herds, while the remaining 52 were from imported livestock. Serum specimens (n = 135) were obtained exclusively from cattle in the ML governorate. DNA was extracted from all blood samples and subjected to real-time PCR targeting 16S rRNA. All Leptospira-positive DNA samples were then amplified using conventional PCR (cPCR), and Leptospira species were identified via Sanger sequencing. A microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was performed on the 135 serum samples from local cattle. The real-time PCR revealed Leptospira infection in 7 of 135 local animals and 1 of 52 imported animals. DNA from six of the seven local animals and the one imported animal were amplified by cPCR and successfully sequenced, identifying the pathogen as the species L. kirschneri. Seven animals located in five out of the 14 tested herds had MAT titers ≥1 : 100. Serogroup Grippotyphosa was predominant. This is the first study to provide epidemiological data on bovine Leptospira infection in Lebanon. Pathogenic Leptospira species and serogroups were identified in both local and imported cattle. These findings highlight the cattle associated risk of Leptospira infection in Lebanon, in the contexts of farming and trade. Summary. Leptospirosis is a severe zoonotic disease that can have critical consequences for people and animals. Within the country of Lebanon, this disease has been reported, but its epidemiology is unknown so far. The present study thus provides the first description of the existence of Leptospira in cattle in Lebanon (local and imported). It also highlights the existence of different pathogenic serogroups of Leptospira in local cattle. Our results should raise public health awareness of the threat posed by this underdiagnosed disease and serve as a starting point for control efforts in Lebanon.
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Harran E, Pinot A, Kodjo A, Djelouadji Z, Le Gudayer M, Sionfoungo Daouda S, Groud K, Lattard V, Ayral F. Identification of Pathogenic Leptospira kirschneri Serogroup Grippotyphosa in Water Voles ( Arvicola terrestris) from Ruminant Pastures in Puy-de-Dôme, Central France. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020260. [PMID: 36839532 PMCID: PMC9965961 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodents are the primary reservoirs for pathogenic Leptospira species, which cause leptospirosis. Among the key potential carriers are water voles, whose population outbreaks can consequently pose a major threat to human and animal health. We studied the prevalence, prominence, and epidemiology of pathogenic Leptospira species in water voles in central France. First, 46 voles were captured, and DNA was extracted from kidney, lung, liver, blood, and urine and tested for the presence of Leptospira using three molecular methods: PCR, O-antigen typing, and variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) typing. We also attempted to culture leptospires from kidney and urine samples. In addition, we investigated leptospiral antibodies in serum samples from 60 sheep using microscopic agglutination testing. These animals co-occurred with the voles, so we sought to assess their degree of exposure and involvement in pathogen dynamics. The overall prevalence of infection was 76.1% (CI95% [61.2%, 87.4%]). The only strain found was L. kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa and a similar VNTR profile was acquired. Leptospires were successfully cultured from kidney and urine samples for four voles. Three sheep had low antibody titers against the Leptospira serogroup Grippotyphosa. Taken together, our results suggest the exclusive carriage of L. kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa among water voles in central France. Nevertheless, their ability to act as reservoir hosts that transmit the pathogen to co-occurring livestock remains unclear and merits further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Harran
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh P.O. Box 446, Lebanon
- Correspondence:
| | - Adrien Pinot
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France
| | - Angeli Kodjo
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France
| | - Zouheira Djelouadji
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France
| | - Marine Le Gudayer
- Laboratoire des Leptospires et d’Analyses Vétérinaires, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France
| | | | - Karine Groud
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France
| | - Virginie Lattard
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France
| | - Florence Ayral
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France
- Laboratoire des Leptospires et d’Analyses Vétérinaires, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France
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Amran F, Noor Halim NA, Muhammad AH, Mohd Khalid MKN, Dasiman NM, Shamsusah NA, Abd Talib AKA, Noh MA, Mohd Ali MR, Hashim R. Application of Multilocus Sequence Typing for the Characterization of Leptospira Strains in Malaysia. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8020069. [PMID: 36828484 PMCID: PMC9960323 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8020069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a common zoonotic disease in tropical and subtropical countries. It is considered an emerging disease in Malaysia and is a notifiable disease. This study was conducted to characterize Malaysian isolates from human, animal and environmental samples via MLST and rrs2 sequencing in an attempt to develop a Malaysian genotypic database. An existing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based MLST scheme was performed to facilitate subsequent sequencing. Out of 46 extracted DNA, 36 had complete MLST profiles whereby all six genes were amplified and sequenced. Most of the pathogenic Leptospira genotypes with full MLST profiles were L. interrogans serogroup Bataviae (n = 17), followed by L. borgpetersenii serogroup Javanica (n = 9), L. interrogans serogroup Sejroe (n = 2), L. interrogans serogroup Australis (n = 2), L. kirschneri (n = 2), L. interrogans serogroup Grippotyphosa (n = 1) and L. interrogans serogroup Pyrogenes (n = 3). Two samples (R3_SER/17 and R4_SER/17) were not closely related with any of the reference strains. For the samples with incomplete MLST profiles, leptospiral speciation was conducted through rrs2 analysis, in which four samples were identified as L. borgpetersenii, five samples were closely related to L. kmetyi and one sample was known as L. yasudae. This study shows that molecular approaches that combine both MLST and rrs2 sequencing have great potential in the comprehensive characterization of pathogenic Leptospira because they can be performed directly from cultured and clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fairuz Amran
- Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), NIH Complex Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Atiqah Noor Halim
- Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), NIH Complex Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
| | - Ayu Haslin Muhammad
- Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), NIH Complex Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Khairul Nizam Mohd Khalid
- Genetic Disorders and Inborn Error of Metabolism (IEM) Unit, Nutrition, Metabolic & Cardiovascular Research Centre (NMCRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), NIH Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
| | - Nur Mukmina Dasiman
- Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), NIH Complex Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
| | - Nadia Aqilla Shamsusah
- Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), NIH Complex Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia
| | - Abdul Khalif Adha Abd Talib
- Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), NIH Complex Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
| | - Mohamed Asyraf Noh
- Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), NIH Complex Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Ridhuan Mohd Ali
- Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), NIH Complex Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
- Correspondence:
| | - Rohaidah Hashim
- Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), NIH Complex Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
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11
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Landolt NY, Chiani YT, Pujato N, Jacob P, Schmeling MF, García Effron G, Vanasco NB. Utility evaluation of two molecular methods for Leptospira spp. typing in human serum samples. Heliyon 2022; 9:e12564. [PMID: 36747527 PMCID: PMC9898289 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Most of the available genotyping methods were applied and evaluated in Leptospira isolates and only few of them in a relevant sample size of blood specimens but not of sera. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of one partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing assay (16S rRNA) and an optimized. Multilocus sequence typing scheme (MLST) for Leptospira typing directly in serum samples. Confirmed leptospirosis patients (n = 228) from Argentina (2005-2016) were randomly included. Septicemic-phase serum samples (n = 228) were studied by two genotyping methods. Available immune-phase serum samples of the included patients (n = 159) were studied by MAT to compare serological and molecular results. In culture-proven cases (n = 8), genotyping results between clinical samples and isolates were compared. Typing success rate (TSR) was 21.9% for 16S rRNA and 11.4% for MLST (full allelic profile) and a positive trend in both TSR during the study period was observed. Two species (L. interrogans and L. borgpertesenii) were identified by both methods and MLST assigned 8 different STs. The probable serogroups identified by MLST were coincident with the presumptive infecting serogroups identified by MAT, but with different frequencies. The three serogroups (Canicola, Sejroe and Icterohaemorrhagiae) most frequently identified by MAT were also genotyped by MLST. Typing results via 16S rRNA and MLST in clinical samples and isolates of culture-proven cases, were consistent except for one case. Performance of partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing assay and the optimized MLST scheme directly in sera may increase and improve the knowledge about species and serogroups causing human leptospirosis, especially in countries with low rates of culture sample collection or Leptospira isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Yolanda Landolt
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER “Dr. E. Coni”), Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS “Dr. C.G. Malbran”), Av. Blas Parera 8260, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Yosena Teresita Chiani
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER “Dr. E. Coni”), Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS “Dr. C.G. Malbran”), Av. Blas Parera 8260, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Nazarena Pujato
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER “Dr. E. Coni”), Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS “Dr. C.G. Malbran”), Av. Blas Parera 8260, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina,Laboratorio de Leptospirosis, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Paulina Jacob
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER “Dr. E. Coni”), Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS “Dr. C.G. Malbran”), Av. Blas Parera 8260, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina,Laboratorio de Leptospirosis, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María Fernanda Schmeling
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER “Dr. E. Coni”), Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS “Dr. C.G. Malbran”), Av. Blas Parera 8260, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Guillermo García Effron
- Laboratorio de Micología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), CCT, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Norma Bibiana Vanasco
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER “Dr. E. Coni”), Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS “Dr. C.G. Malbran”), Av. Blas Parera 8260, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina,Laboratorio de Leptospirosis, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina,Corresponding author.
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12
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Leptospira interrogans in bats in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: epidemiologic aspects and phylogeny. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53:2233-2240. [PMID: 36205841 PMCID: PMC9542444 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00838-7] [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: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by Leptospira spp. and affects animals and humans. Reports of leptospirosis in bats have increased and prompted epidemiological research in Brazil. This study aimed to perform a molecular and epidemiological investigation of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in bat kidneys. The total DNA was extracted from 102 kidney samples from chiropterous of different species and cities in Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), Brazil. The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify a fragment corresponding to lipL32 gene, which is only present in pathogenic Leptospira spp. lipL32 gene was detected in 22.5% (23/102) of the bat kidney tissues. Phylogenetic analysis showed that L. interrogans is circulating in bats in RS. Most species of the bats collected were insectivores. Pathogenic Leptospira spp. detection in bats demonstrated that these animals participate in the infection chain of leptospirosis and, therefore, may play as reservoirs and disseminators of this microorganism. Thus, it is important to monitor infectious agents, especially with zoonotic potential in bats.
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13
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Sapna K, Ashaiba A, Kumar TR, Shashidhar V, Arun A, Prasad KS. Evaluation of anti-LipL32 carbon nanotube immunofluorescence probe (carbo-lip) and comparison with MAT, IgM ELISA, IgM spot test and culture for early detection of leptospirosis at local hospital. J Microbiol Methods 2022; 195:106448. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2022.106448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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14
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Griffiths J, Yeo HL, Yap G, Mailepessov D, Johansson P, Low HT, Siew CC, Lam P, Ng LC. Survey of rodent-borne pathogens in Singapore reveals the circulation of Leptospira spp., Seoul hantavirus, and Rickettsia typhi. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2692. [PMID: 35177639 PMCID: PMC8854382 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03954-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents living alongside humans increases the probability of encounter and also the transmission of rodent-borne diseases. Singapore’s cosmopolitan urban landscape provides a perfect setting to study the prevalence of four rodent-borne pathogens: Seoul hantavirus (SEOV), Leptospira species, Rickettsia typhi and Yersinia pestis, and identify the potential risk factors which may influence rodent density and transmission of rodent-borne diseases. A total of 1143 rodents were trapped from 10 unique landscape structures throughout Singapore. Real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reactions were used to detect pathogenic and intermediate Leptospira spp. and Yersinia pestis, whereas the seroprevalence of SEOV and R. typhi were analysed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Immunofluorescence Assay respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between prevalence of infection in rodent reservoirs and risk factors. Most of the rodents were caught in public residential developments (62.2%). Among the tested rodents, 42.4% were infected with Leptospira spp., while 35.5% and 32.2% were seropositive for SEOV and R. typhi respectively, whereas Yersinia pestis was not detected. Furthermore, risk factors including habitat, species, gender, and weight of rodents, influenced prevalence of infection to a varying extent. This study highlights the presence of Leptospira spp., SEOV and R. typhi in Singapore’s rodent population, suggesting the need for effective rodent management and sanitation strategies to prevent further circulation and transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Griffiths
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hui Ling Yeo
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Grace Yap
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Diyar Mailepessov
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patrik Johansson
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hwee Teng Low
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chern-Chiang Siew
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patrick Lam
- SAF Biodefence Centre, Force Medical Protection Command, HQ Medical Corps, Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lee Ching Ng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore.
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Gupta N, Wilson W, Ravindra P, Joylin S, Bhat R, Saravu K. Clinical profile, management and outcome of patients with leptospirosis during the times of COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective study from a tertiary care centre in South India. LE INFEZIONI IN MEDICINA 2022; 29:393-401. [PMID: 35146344 DOI: 10.53854/liim-2903-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a rodent-borne acute febrile illness, classically seen after heavy rainfall and floods. This study aimed to describe the clinical profile, management strategies and outcome of patients with leptospirosis amidst the Coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak. A prospective study of adult patients with undifferentiated fever (5-15 days) was conducted in South India between October 2020 and February 2021. The demographic, clinical details, laboratory details, treatment and outcome of leptospirosis positive (based on serology) and negative patients were compared. A chisquare test was used for qualitative variables, while an independent t-test or Mann Whitney U test was used for continuous variables. Of the 206 patients with suspected acute febrile illness, a total of 63 patients were diagnosed with leptospirosis based on serology results. The median sequential organ failure assessment score was higher in those with leptospirosis (p<0.001). Myalgia, abdominal pain, jaundice, decreased urine output, myocarditis, and dialysis requirement were more common in patients with leptospirosis. Leucocytosis and raised procalcitonin/C-reactive protein were more common in patients with leptospirosis. The duration of stay and antibiotic consumption was higher in patients with leptospirosis. Acute febrile illness such as leptospirosis should be suspected in tropical areas with significant risk factors. The presence of conjunctival suffusion, hepatic and renal dysfunction should warrant a serology test for leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Gupta
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.,Manipal Center for Infectious Diseases, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - William Wilson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Prithvishree Ravindra
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Sowmya Joylin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Rachana Bhat
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Kavitha Saravu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.,Manipal Center for Infectious Diseases, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
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Kakita T, Okano S, Kyan H, Miyahira M, Taira K, Kitashoji E, Koizumi N. Laboratory diagnostic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics of human leptospirosis in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, 2003-2020. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009993. [PMID: 34905535 PMCID: PMC8670671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009993] [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: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis is considered an endemic disease among agricultural workers in Okinawa Prefecture, which is the southernmost part of Japan and has a subtropical climate, but data on the current status and trend of this disease are scarce. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We conducted a retrospective study of clinically suspected leptospirosis patients whose sample and information were sent to the Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment from November 2003 to December 2020. Laboratory diagnosis was established using culture, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and/or microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and/or urine samples. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the epidemiological information, clinical features, and sensitivities of diagnostic methods among laboratory-confirmed cases. Serogroups and the species of Leptospira isolates were determined by MAT using 13 antisera and flaB sequencing. A total of 531 clinically suspected patients were recruited, among whom 246 (46.3%) were laboratory confirmed to have leptospirosis. Among the confirmed cases, patients aged 20-29 years (22.4%) and male patients (85.7%) were the most common. The most common estimated sources of infection were recreation (44.5%) and labor (27.8%) in rivers. Approximately half of the isolates were of the L. interrogans serogroup Hebdomadis. The main clinical symptoms were fever (97.1%), myalgia (56.3%), and conjunctival hyperemia (52.2%). Headache occurred significantly more often in patients with Hebdomadis serogroup infections than those with other serogroup infections. The sensitivities of culture and PCR exceeded 65% during the first 6 days, while the sensitivity of MAT surpassed that of culture and PCR in the second week after onset. PCR using blood samples was a preferable method for the early diagnosis of leptospirosis. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The results of this study will support clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of undifferentiated febrile patients in Okinawa Prefecture as well as patients returning from Okinawa Prefecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Kakita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, Uruma, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Sho Okano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, Uruma, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Hisako Kyan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, Uruma, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Masato Miyahira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, Uruma, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Katsuya Taira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, Uruma, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Emi Kitashoji
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Nobuo Koizumi
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Disease, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
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17
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Philip N, Jani J, Azhari NN, Sekawi Z, Neela VK. In vivo and in silico Virulence Analysis of Leptospira Species Isolated From Environments and Rodents in Leptospirosis Outbreak Areas in Malaysia. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:753328. [PMID: 34803975 PMCID: PMC8602918 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.753328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic disease leptospirosis is caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira. With the advancement of studies in leptospirosis, several new species are being reported. It has always been a query, whether Leptospira species, serovars, and strains isolated from different geographical locations contribute to the difference in the disease presentations and severity. In an epidemiological surveillance study performed in Malaysia, we isolated seven novel intermediate and saprophytic species (Leptospira semungkisensis, Leptospira fletcheri, Leptospira langatensis, Leptospira selangorensis, Leptospira jelokensis, Leptospira perdikensis, Leptospira congkakensis) from environments and three pathogenic species from rodents (Leptospira borgpetersenii strain HP364, Leptospira weilii strain SC295, Leptospira interrogans strain HP358) trapped in human leptospirosis outbreak premises. To evaluate the pathogenic potential of these isolates, we performed an in vivo and in silico virulence analysis. Environmental isolates and strain HP364 did not induce any clinical manifestations in hamsters. Strain SC295 caused inactivity and weight loss with histopathological changes in kidneys, however, all hamsters survived until the end of the experiment. Strain HP358 showed a high virulent phenotype as all infected hamsters died or were moribund within 7 days postinfection. Lungs, liver, and kidneys showed pathological changes with hemorrhage as the main presentation. In silico analysis elucidated the genome size of strain HP358 to be larger than strains HP364 and SC295 and containing virulence genes reported in Leptospira species and a high number of specific putative virulence factors. In conclusion, L. interrogans strain HP358 was highly pathogenic with fatal outcome. The constituent of Leptospira genomes may determine the level of disease severity and that needs further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noraini Philip
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Jaeyres Jani
- Borneo Medical and Health Research Center, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Natasya Azhari
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zamberi Sekawi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Vasantha Kumari Neela
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
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18
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Philip N, Lung Than LT, Shah AM, Yuhana MY, Sekawi Z, Neela VK. Predictors of severe leptospirosis: a multicentre observational study from Central Malaysia. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1081. [PMID: 34666707 PMCID: PMC8527767 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06766-5] [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: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis is a re-emerging disease with vast clinical presentations, that ranges from subclinical or mild to severe and fatal outcomes. Leptospirosis can be managed well if diagnosed earlier, however, similar clinical presentations by several other febrile illnesses or co-infections, and laboratory diagnostic challenges due to the biphasic nature of the illness, often result in mis- or underdiagnosis, thereby lead to severe illness. Identification of clinical predictors for the severe form of the disease plays a crucial role in reducing disease complication and mortality. Therefore, we aimed to determine the clinical predictors associated with severe illness among leptospirosis patients from Central Malaysia through a prospective multicenter observational study. Methods A prospective multicenter observational study was performed on patients admitted for clinically suspected leptospirosis. Three hospitals namely Hospital Serdang, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah and Hospital Teluk Intan were included in the study. Among a total of 165 clinically suspected leptospirosis patients, 83 confirmed cases were investigated for clinical predictors for severe illness. Qualitative variables were performed using χ2 and the relationship between mild and severe cases was evaluated using logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression was used to predict the independent variable for severity. Results Among the 83 patients, 50 showed mild disease and 33 developed severe illness. The mean age of the patients was 41.92 ± 17.99 and most were males (n = 54, 65.06%). We identified mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, septic shock, creatinine level of > 1.13 mg/dL, urea > 7 mmol/L, alanine aminotransferase > 50 IU, aspartate aminotransferase > 50 IU, and platelet < 150 × 109/L as factors associated with severe illness. Acute kidney injury, alanine aminotransferase > 50 IU and platelet < 150 × 109/L were defined as the independent factors for severity. Conclusions Lungs, liver and kidney involvement and septic shock were found as the prognostic factors for severe leptospirosis. Acute kidney injury, high level of alanine aminotransferase and low level of platelets were found to be independent predictors of severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noraini Philip
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Leslie Thian Lung Than
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Anim Md Shah
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhamad Yazli Yuhana
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zamberi Sekawi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Vasantha Kumari Neela
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Regional Prevalence of Intermediate Leptospira spp. in Humans: A Meta-Analysis. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080943. [PMID: 34451407 PMCID: PMC8398916 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread bacterial diseases caused by pathogenic Leptospira. There are broad clinical manifestations due to varied pathogenicity of Leptospira spp., which can be classified into three clusters such as pathogenic, intermediate, and saprophytic. Intermediate Leptospira spp. can either be pathogenic or non-pathogenic and they have been reported to cause mild to severe forms of leptospirosis in several studies, contributing to the disease burden. Hence, this study aimed to estimate the global prevalence of intermediate Leptospira spp. in humans using meta-analysis with region-wise stratification. The articles were searched from three databases which include PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Seven studies were included consisting of two regions based on United Nations geo-scheme regions, among 469 records identified. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan software. The overall prevalence estimate of intermediate Leptospira spp. in humans was 86% and the pooled prevalences were 96% and 17% for the American and Asia regions, respectively. The data also revealed that Leptospira wolffii was the most predominantly found compared to the other intermediate species identified from the included studies, which were Leptospira inadai and Leptospira broomii. The estimated prevalence data from this study could be used to develop better control and intervention strategies in combating human leptospirosis.
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20
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Agampodi SB, Vinetz JM. Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of Pathogenic Leptospira: A Way Forward for Understanding Infectious Disease Dynamics in Low/Middle-Income, Disease-Endemic Settings. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:1625-1627. [PMID: 33755589 PMCID: PMC8103479 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current genomic era, knowledge of diversity of Leptospira, the spirochetal agents of leptospirosis, is changing rapidly. Next-generation sequencing has decreased in price and increased in scale, with the potential to democratize large-scale analysis of pathogens in resource-limited, low/middle-income (LMIC) regions. Consequently, the molecular classification of Leptospira, a pathogen disproportionately affecting LMIC countries, has changed dramatically over the last decade. Leptospira classification and molecular understandings of pathogen diversity have rapidly evolved, now most precisely based on core genome analysis supplemented by new insights provided by culture-independent methods directly using body fluids such as blood and urine. In places where leptospirosis disease burden is highest, genomic technologies have not been available, and serology-based methods remain the mainstay of leptospiral classification. Understanding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and ultimately new approaches to treating and preventing leptospirosis requires detailed knowledge of regionally circulating Leptospira in highly endemic settings. Next-generation sequencing-based, culture-independent typing overcomes the limitation of culture isolation of Leptospira from clinical samples, with promise of providing public health-actionable information applicable to leptospirosis-endemic LMIC settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneth B. Agampodi
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut;,Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Sri Lanka,Address correspondence to Suneth B. Agampodi, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale University, Winchester Bldg., 25 York St., Rm. 428, New Haven, CT 06510. E-mails: or
| | - Joseph M. Vinetz
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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Gunasegar S, Neela VK. Evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of loop-mediated isothermal amplification method (LAMP) compared with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Leptospira spp. in clinical samples: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 100:115369. [PMID: 33845305 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test is widely used in molecular diagnostics as a point-of-care technique alternative to traditional PCR especially in resource-limited countries. LAMP has been recently used to diagnose leptospirosis. Therefore, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the accuracy of LAMP with PCR in the diagnosis of leptospirosis. Sixty-one studies were extracted from three international databases and analyzed throughout using the PRISMA guideline. The pooled sensitivity of LAMP and PCR technique was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.58-0.90) and 0.54 (95% CI: 0.35-0.67) respectively indicating that LAMP is more sensitive than PCR. The Q* value of LAMP and PCR-based technique is 274.61 and 397.95, respectively. Among the analyzed studies, significant heterogeneity was observed where I2 is 90.90% for LAMP-based and 86.18% for PCR-based. Our study suggests that LAMP has better diagnostic accuracy than PCR. However, future work should be carried out to reduce heterogeneity as well as to improve and develop effective intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Gunasegar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Vasantha Kumari Neela
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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22
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Karim AJ, Abbas ZM. Histopathology of the kidney and seroprevalence of leptospirosis in wild rats in Baghdad Province, Iraq. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONE HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.14202/ijoh.2021.19-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic leptospires, is a globally emerging infectious disease affecting both humans and animals, which act as reservoirs, with large outbreaks worldwide. The role of rats in dispersing leptospirosis was never investigated in Iraq. Because of the seriousness of the disease and the scarce data regarding this disease in Iraq, this study determines the incidence of leptospirosis in rats and its renal histopathological profile.
Materials and Methods: Of 211 captured rats, 82 apparently healthy rats were included in this study. After euthanatizing, 3-5-ml blood was collected by cardiac puncture. Approximately 0.5 cm3 of the kidney was collected for routine histopathology and stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Warthin–Starry (WS) stains. Blood smears were prepared and stained with the WS stain.
Results: All rats (100%) with different age groups were immunoglobulin G (IgG)-positive, and 90.24% of them had the IgG against leptospiral antigens in kidney tissues. The juvenile age group had higher IgG levels than other age groups. Considering sex, no significant differences in the overall results were observed. Serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine showed significant increments in the sub-adult and adult IgG- positive groups compared with the IgG-negative groups. No significant alterations were observed in the juvenile group. Using WS stains, 13 and 1 blood smears and 0 and 8 kidney tissues were positive for leptospires in the sub-adult and adult groups, respectively. Microscopical findings of the renal cortex and medulla in the sub-adult IgG-positive group showed hemorrhage, glomerular deterioration, tubular cell degeneration and necrosis with cast formation, periarterial edema, and focal hemorrhage with congestion of peritubular arteries. The adult IgG-positive group revealed deterioration similar to that in the sub-adult group and tended to be chronic. No leptospires were observed using H&E staining.
Conclusion: IgG-positive carrier rats refer to previously exposed or infected rats. Understanding the risk of transmitting the disease to human and animals through a carrier rat's urine is highly predicted and possible mitigation of zoonotic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulkarim Jafar Karim
- Unit of Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Zainab Majid Abbas
- Department of Pathological Analysis, Babylon Technical Institute, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Babylon, Iraq
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23
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Rahman S, Paul S, Aung M, Ahmed S, Haque N, Raisul M, Choity J, Nila S, Ara H, Roy S, Khan M, Hossain M, Kobayashi N. Predominance of Leptospira wolffii in north-central Bangladesh, 2019. New Microbes New Infect 2020; 38:100765. [PMID: 33133612 PMCID: PMC7588863 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100765] [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: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospira was detected in 48.9% of blood samples from 182 febrile patients in north-central Bangladesh in 2019. Most Leptospira were classified as L. wolffii (93%) on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA genes, while others were assigned to L. borgpetersenii and L. meyeri.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Rahman
- Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - S.K. Paul
- Netrokona Medical College, Netrokona, Bangladesh
| | - M.S. Aung
- Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - S. Ahmed
- Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - N. Haque
- Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | | | - J.K. Choity
- Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - S.S. Nila
- Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - H. Ara
- Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - S. Roy
- Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - N. Kobayashi
- Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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24
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Philip N, Affendy NB, Masri SN, Yuhana MY, Than LTL, Sekawi Z, Neela VK. Combined PCR and MAT improves the early diagnosis of the biphasic illness leptospirosis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239069. [PMID: 32915919 PMCID: PMC7485768 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of leptospirosis remains a challenge due to its non-specific symptoms and the biphasic nature of the illness. A comprehensive diagnosis that includes both molecular (polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) and serology is vital for early detection of leptospirosis and to avoid misdiagnosis. However, not all samples could be subjected to both tests (serology and molecular) due to budget limitation, infrastructure, and technical expertise at least in resource-limited countries. We evaluated the usefulness of testing the clinically suspected leptospirosis cases with both techniques on all samples collected from the patients on the day of admission. Among the 165 patient’s blood/serum samples tested (from three hospitals in Central Malaysia), 43 (26%) showed positivity by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), 63 (38%) by PCR, while 14 (8%) were positive by both MAT and PCR. For PCR, we tested two molecular targets (lipL32 by qPCR and 16S rDNA or rrs by nested PCR) and detected lipL32 in 47 (29%) and rrs gene in 63 (38%) patients. The use of more than one target gene for PCR increased the detection rates. Hence, a highly sensitive multiplex PCR targeting more than one diagnostic marker is recommended for the early detection of Leptospira in suspected patients. When the frequencies for positivity detected either by MAT or PCR combined, leptospirosis was diagnosed in a total of 92 (56%) patients, a higher frequency compared to when samples were only tested by a single method (MAT or PCR). The results from this study suggest the inclusion of both serology and molecular methods for every first sample irrespective of the days post-onset of symptoms (DPO) collected from patients for early diagnosis of leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noraini Philip
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norliza Bahtiar Affendy
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siti Norbaya Masri
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhamad Yazli Yuhana
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Leslie Thian Lung Than
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zamberi Sekawi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Vasantha Kumari Neela
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- * E-mail:
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