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Harran E, Kuntz G, Decors A, Bourhy P, Auffret A, Bigeard C, Cherel D, Kodjo A, Le Dréan E, Lejas C, Lequeux G, Pilard MA, Pivette M, Guillois Y, Ayral F. Tracking potential Leptospira sources following human cases of leptospirosis: A One Health approach applied to an ecosystem in Brittany, France. One Health 2024; 18:100726. [PMID: 38644972 PMCID: PMC11026838 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100726] [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: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic Leptospira can cause leptospirosis: a widespread, potentially fatal bacterial zoonosis whose risk is mediated by the soil and water features, animal host distributions, meaning the local ecosystem. When human cases of leptospirosis occur, it is challenging to track down their source because ecosystem-level epidemiological knowledge on Leptospira is needed. Between 2016 and 2019 in a focal riparian ecosystem, the human population experienced an outbreak and successive cases of leptospirosis attributable to L. kirschneri and L. interrogans. The epidemiological investigation was carried out using the One Health approach, as described in international health guidelines. As a first step in this process, we investigated leptospiral carriage in the main animal hosts found in the region. We sampled 143 nutrias, 17 muskrats, and 10 Norway rats using convenient trapping. DNA was extracted from their kidneys, lungs, and urine and subjected to real-time PCR (RT-PCR) targeting the Leptospira 16S rDNA and lfb1 genes. In the farms along the river's stretch of interest, we sampled serum from 439 cattle and used a microscopic agglutination test to detect the presence of antibodies against Leptospira. Urine samples were concomitantly obtained from 145 cattle and were used in two analyses: RT-PCR targeting the Leptospira 16S rDNA gene and Leptospira culturing. We found th, wt rodents were the most likely source of the L. interrogans behind the human cases. The cattle tested negative for Leptospira DNA but positive for antibodies against the serogroups implicated in the human cases. We failed to identify the potential source of the L. kirschneri responsible for several human cases of leptospirosis. Our results call for further clarification of the Leptospira maintenance community, which may comprise known maintenance hosts, such as rodents, as well as taxa not commonly considered to be maintenance hosts but that can still spread Leptospira. The resulting research network will collaboratively conduct future eco-epidemiological surveys to illuminate the leptospirosis risks faced by humans and animals within ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Harran
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy L'Etoile 69280, France
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Lebanon
| | | | - Anouk Decors
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction de la recherche et de l'appui scientifique, Orléans 45100, France
| | - Pascale Bourhy
- Biology of Spirochetes Unit, National Reference Center for Leptospirosis, Institut Pasteur, University of Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Clément Bigeard
- Ecole Nationale des Services Vétérinaires – France Vétérinaire Internationale, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy L'Etoile 69280, France
| | | | - Angeli Kodjo
- Laboratoire des Leptospires et d'Analyses Vétérinaires, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy L'Etoile 69280, France
| | | | - Cyrille Lejas
- Fédération Départementale de Gestion des Espèces exotiques envahissantes (FDGDON 35), Direction Technique, 35340 Ercé-prés-Liffré, France
| | | | - Marie-Agnès Pilard
- Agence Régionale de Santé Bretagne, Délégation Départementale d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Département Santé-Environnement, 35042 Rennes, France
| | - Mathilde Pivette
- Santé Publique France, Direction des regions, Bretagne, 94415 Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Yvonnick Guillois
- Santé Publique France, Direction des regions, Bretagne, 94415 Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Florence Ayral
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy L'Etoile 69280, France
- VetAgro Sup, Pôle EVAAS, 69280 Marcy L'Etoile, France
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Garcia-Lopez M, Lurier T, Bouilloud M, Pradel J, Tatard C, Sepulveda D, Anfray G, Dussert J, Bourhy P, Charbonnel N, Djelouadji Z. Prevalence, genetic diversity and eco-epidemiology of pathogenic Leptospira species in small mammal communities in urban parks Lyon city, France. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300523. [PMID: 38598501 PMCID: PMC11006123 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Rodents are recognized as the main reservoirs of Leptospira spp. Rats, in particular, serve as hosts for the widely predominant Leptospira interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, found worldwide. Several studies have shown the importance of other reservoirs, such as mice or hedgehogs, which harbor other leptospires' serovars. Nevertheless, our knowledge of circulating Leptospira spp. in reservoirs other than rats remains limited. In this context, we proposed an eco-health approach to assess the health hazard associated with leptospires in urban green spaces, where contacts between human/small mammals and domestic animals are likely. We studied the prevalence, the diversity of circulating strains, and epidemiology of pathogenic Leptospira species in small terrestrial mammal communities (rodents and shrews), between 2020-2022, in two parks in Lyon metropolis, France. Our study showed a significant carriage of Leptospira spp. in small terrestrial mammals in these parks and unveiled a global prevalence rate of 11.4%. Significant variations of prevalence were observed among the small mammal species (from 0 to 26.1%), with Rattus norvegicus exhibiting the highest infection levels (26.1%). We also observed strong spatio-temporal variations in Leptospira spp. circulation in its reservoirs. Prevalence seems to be higher in the peri-urban park and in autumn in 2021 and 2022. This is potentially due to differences in landscape, abiotic conditions and small mammal communities' composition. Our study suggests an important public health relevance of rats and in a lesser extent of other rodents (Apodemus spp., Clethrionomys glareolus and Mus musculus) as reservoirs of L. interrogans, with rodent species carrying specific serogroups/serovars. We also emphasize the potential hazard associated between the shrew Crocidura russula and L. kirschneri. Altogether, these results improve our knowledge about the prevalence of leptospirosis in an urban environment, which is an essential prerequisite for the implementation of prevention of associated risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Garcia-Lopez
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, University of Lyon, Marcy l’Etoile, France
- Biology of Spirochetes Unit, National Reference Center for Leptospirosis, Institut Pasteur, University of Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Thibaut Lurier
- UMR EPIA, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, University of Clermont Auvergne, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
- UMR EPIA, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, University of Lyon, Marcy l’Etoile, France
| | - Marie Bouilloud
- CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Julien Pradel
- CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Caroline Tatard
- CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Diana Sepulveda
- Department of Health, Health and Environment Service, City of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | | | - Pascale Bourhy
- Biology of Spirochetes Unit, National Reference Center for Leptospirosis, Institut Pasteur, University of Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Charbonnel
- CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Hailat NQ, Mafrag ZA, Gharaibeh MH, Alzuheir IM. Pathological and molecular study of kidneys in apparently healthy cattle and sheep with special reference to Leptospira species in central and northern Jordan. Vet World 2023; 16:2488-2496. [PMID: 38328369 PMCID: PMC10844780 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2488-2496] [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: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Renal pathological conditions can cause significant economic losses for livestock owners. This study investigated and described the gross pathology and histopathology of lesions found in the kidneys of sheep and cattle, with particular attention to the presence of Leptospira spp. Materials and Methods Three hundred and sixty kidneys from apparently healthy sheep and cattle (208 and 152, respectively) were collected from slaughterhouses in Jordan for gross and histopathological examinations, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, and gene sequencing of Leptospira spp. Results Histopathological analysis of the samples revealed the following conditions: interstitial nephritis (4.44%), glomerulonephritis (4.16%), acute tubular necrosis (17.22%), and renal congestion (4.72%). In addition, in 26.9% of the samples, hyaline material was observed in the interstitium of the cortex and medulla. The PCR results revealed that 83 (23.1%) of the 360 samples were positive for Leptospira spp. 16S rRNA, 42/152 (28%) of cattle, and 41/208 (20%) of sheep. Four samples (two sheep and two cattle) were sequenced and deposited in GenBank with accession numbers from OL701310 to OL701313. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool search and nucleotide similarities between OL701311 and OL701313 resulted in the highest similarities with different Leptospira borgpetersenii strains, whereas OL701310 showed the highest nucleotide similarity (99.2%) with the Leptospira interrogans strain. Similarly, phylogenetic analysis revealed that OL701311 to OL701313 clustered together with different serovars of L. borgpetersenii, whereas OL701310 clustered with the L. interrogans clade. Conclusion This is the first study to reveal a close association between pathogenic Leptospira spp. and kidney disorders in Jordanian cattle and sheep. These findings may help expand the current understanding of the causes and mechanisms of renal disease in cattle and sheep and contribute to developing more effective prevention and treatment programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil Q. Hailat
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030 Irbid, 22110 Jordan
| | - Zaid A. Mafrag
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030 Irbid, 22110 Jordan
| | - Mohammad H. Gharaibeh
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030 Irbid, 22110 Jordan
| | - Ibrahim M. Alzuheir
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7 Nablus, Palestine
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de Cock MP, de Vries A, Fonville M, Esser HJ, Mehl C, Ulrich RG, Joeres M, Hoffmann D, Eisenberg T, Schmidt K, Hulst M, van der Poel WHM, Sprong H, Maas M. Increased rat-borne zoonotic disease hazard in greener urban areas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 896:165069. [PMID: 37392874 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Urban greening has benefits for both human and environmental health. However, urban greening might also have negative effects as the abundance of wild rats, which can host and spread a great diversity of zoonotic pathogens, increases with urban greenness. Studies on the effect of urban greening on rat-borne zoonotic pathogens are currently unavailable. Therefore, we investigated how urban greenness is associated with rat-borne zoonotic pathogen prevalence and diversity, and translated this to human disease hazard. We screened 412 wild rats (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus) from three cities in the Netherlands for 18 different zoonotic pathogens: Bartonella spp., Leptospira spp., Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Spiroplasma spp., Streptobacillus moniliformis, Coxiella burnetii, Salmonella spp., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)/AmpC-producing Escherichia coli, rat hepatitis E virus (ratHEV), Seoul orthohantavirus, Cowpox virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Toxoplasma gondii and Babesia spp. We modelled the relationships between pathogen prevalence and diversity and urban greenness. We detected 13 different zoonotic pathogens. Rats from greener urban areas had a significantly higher prevalence of Bartonella spp. and Borrelia spp., and a significantly lower prevalence of ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli and ratHEV. Rat age was positively correlated with pathogen diversity while greenness was not related to pathogen diversity. Additionally, Bartonella spp. occurrence was positively correlated with that of Leptospira spp., Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp., and Borrelia spp. occurrence was also positively correlated with that of Rickettsia spp. Our results show an increased rat-borne zoonotic disease hazard in greener urban areas, which for most pathogens was driven by the increase in rat abundance rather than pathogen prevalence. This highlights the importance of keeping rat densities low and investigating the effects of urban greening on the exposure to zoonotic pathogens in order to make informed decisions and to take appropriate countermeasures preventing zoonotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke P de Cock
- Centre for Infectious diseases, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Gelderland, the Netherlands.
| | - Ankje de Vries
- Centre for Infectious diseases, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious diseases, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Helen J Esser
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Gelderland, the Netherlands.
| | - Calvin Mehl
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Germany; Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Greifswald-Insel Riems, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Germany; Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Greifswald-Insel Riems, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
| | - Maike Joeres
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
| | - Tobias Eisenberg
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Hessian State Laboratory, Giessen, Hessen, Germany.
| | - Katja Schmidt
- Microbiological Diagnostics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
| | - Marcel Hulst
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, Lelystad, Flevoland, the Netherlands.
| | - Wim H M van der Poel
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Gelderland, the Netherlands; Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, Lelystad, Flevoland, the Netherlands.
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious diseases, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Miriam Maas
- Centre for Infectious diseases, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Dossou H, Le Guyader M, Gauthier P, Badou S, Etougbetche J, Houemenou G, Djelouadji Z, Dobigny G. Fine-scale prevalence and genetic diversity of urban small mammal-borne pathogenic Leptospira in Africa: A spatiotemporal survey within Cotonou, Benin. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:643-654. [PMID: 35524648 PMCID: PMC9540415 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that is caused by spirochete bacteria of the genus Leptospira. Around the world, one million people each year are infected, leading to 60,000 deaths. Infection occurs through contact with environmental pathogens excreted by mammals (notably rodents). Data on Leptospira and leptospirosis in Africa are rather scarce, especially in urban habitats though these appear to be favourable environments for the pathogen circulation and human contamination. Using qPCR, DNA sequencing as well as MST/VNTR approaches, we examined Leptospira occurrence and genetic diversity in 779 commensal small mammals that were sampled over 2 years in the city centre of Cotonou, Benin, from three neighbourhoods with contrasting socio-environmental conditions. Overall prevalence reached 9.1%. However, very marked variations in both space and time were observed, with local peaks of high prevalence but no clear seasonal pattern. In most sites that could be regularly sampled, Leptospira-positive rodents were found at least once, thus confirming the widespread circulation of the pathogen within small mammal communities of Cotonou. Interestingly, an unusual diversity of small mammal-borne Leptospira species and genotypes was retrieved, with up to four species and three different genovars within the same neighbourhood, and even instances of two species and two genovars identified simultaneously within the same household. To our knowledge, such a high genetic diversity has never been described at such a fine scale, a fortiori in Africa and, more generally, within an urban environment. Altogether, our results underline that much remains unknown about leptospirosis as well as the associated infectious risk in African cities where the disease may be massively over-looked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henri‐Joël Dossou
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey‐CalaviUniversité d'Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
- Institut de Géographie, Aménagement du Territoire et EnvironnementUniversité d'Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
- Institut de Recherche pour le DéveloppementCentre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations (UMR IRD, INRAE, Cirad, Institut d'Agronomie), MUSEMontferrier‐sur‐LezFrance
| | - Marine Le Guyader
- USC1233‐INRAE Rongeurs Sauvages, Risque Sanitaire et Gestion des PopulationsVetAgro SupMarcy‐l'EtoileFrance
| | - Philippe Gauthier
- Institut de Recherche pour le DéveloppementCentre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations (UMR IRD, INRAE, Cirad, Institut d'Agronomie), MUSEMontferrier‐sur‐LezFrance
| | - Sylvestre Badou
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey‐CalaviUniversité d'Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
- Institut de Recherche pour le DéveloppementCentre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations (UMR IRD, INRAE, Cirad, Institut d'Agronomie), MUSEMontferrier‐sur‐LezFrance
| | - Jonas Etougbetche
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey‐CalaviUniversité d'Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
- Institut de Recherche pour le DéveloppementCentre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations (UMR IRD, INRAE, Cirad, Institut d'Agronomie), MUSEMontferrier‐sur‐LezFrance
| | - Gualbert Houemenou
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey‐CalaviUniversité d'Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
| | - Zouheira Djelouadji
- USC1233‐INRAE Rongeurs Sauvages, Risque Sanitaire et Gestion des PopulationsVetAgro SupMarcy‐l'EtoileFrance
| | - Gauthier Dobigny
- Institut de Recherche pour le DéveloppementCentre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations (UMR IRD, INRAE, Cirad, Institut d'Agronomie), MUSEMontferrier‐sur‐LezFrance
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Richard E, Geslin J, Wurtzer S, Moulin L. Monitoring of Leptospira species diversity in freshwater bathing area and in rats in Paris, France. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155121. [PMID: 35398418 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155121] [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: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution caused by bacterial pathogenic Leptospira. Rodents are considered as the main reservoir of Leptospira and transmission usually occurs through exposure to urine-contaminated environment. However, interactions between environment, rodent reservoir and human leptospirosis remain poorly studied. Here, we evaluated the concentration of Leptospira in surface water and captured rats in the city of Paris (France) from 2018 to 2020 using an integrity qPCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction). All environmental samples (n = 1031) were positive for saprophytic Leptospira but pathogenic Leptospira P1 group were only found in 40% (n = 363; 2018) to 0% (n = 264; 2020) of samples. In the same time, analysis of 200 brown rat corpses trapped in the city, showed about 15% of positivity for Leptospira but the different method used for rats conservation (based on presence or absence of conservative agent) showed important variations in the Leptospira prevalence. Metagenomic analysis, based on rrs gene sequencing, was also carried out to evaluate the distribution of Leptospira in samples. Results could indicate that some species of Leptospira are found in surface waters as well as rats, but further study is needed to accurately describe the nature of the link between these two reservoirs. Quantification of Leptospira and pathogenic species description circulating inside animal reservoir living in the vicinity of freshwater in urban areas, will be helpful to understand the eco-epidemiology of leptospirosis and to establish prevention and intervention strategies, especially in the context of organization of recreative activity events in these urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Richard
- Eau de Paris, DRDQE, 33 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 94200 Ivry-Sur-Seine, France; Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des Spirochètes, 28 rue du docteur Roux, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Jacques Geslin
- Eau de Paris, DRDQE, 33 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 94200 Ivry-Sur-Seine, France
| | - Sébastien Wurtzer
- Eau de Paris, DRDQE, 33 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 94200 Ivry-Sur-Seine, France
| | - Laurent Moulin
- Eau de Paris, DRDQE, 33 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 94200 Ivry-Sur-Seine, France.
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Naudet J, Crespin L, Cappelle J, Kodjo A, Ayral F. Circulating serogroups of Leptospira in swine from a 7-year study in France (2011–2017). Porcine Health Manag 2022; 8:15. [PMID: 35379346 PMCID: PMC8978166 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-022-00257-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira and is responsible for significant economic porcine livestock losses. Knowledge of Leptospira serogroups and their distributions is important for evaluation of the relevance of leptospirosis management measures, including use of the prophylactic vaccine that was recently made available in France. A retrospective study was conducted to determine the relationships between different circulating Leptospira serogroups. Pigs from across France presenting clinical signs suggestive of leptospirosis were tested with the microagglutination test (MAT) between 2011 and 2017. We used weighted averages to determine serogroup distributions according to MAT results and considering cross-reactions. Results A total of 19,395 pig sera, mostly from Brittany, were tested, and 22.7% were found to be positive for at least one Leptospira serogroup. Analysis of the 4,346 seropositive results for which the putative infective serogroup could be defined, revealed that two out of ten serogroups were much more frequent than the others: Australis (48.5%) and Icterohaemorrhagiae (38.2%). Other serogroups, including Autumnalis, Panama, Ballum, Tarassovi, Sejroe, Grippotyphosa, Bataviae, and Pomona, were less common. Conclusions Although diagnostic laboratory data cannot be extrapolated to infer the distribution of Leptospira serogroups at the nationwide scale in France, the analysis of such data can provide an overview of the relationship between circulating Leptospira serogroups in space and time. During the last decade, protection against the serogroups Australis and Icterohaemorrhagiae would have prevented most of the clinical porcine leptospirosis cases in the large number of farms that we studied. In the future, epidemiological information related to circulating Leptospira serogroups should be extracted from data with a standardized approach for use in nationwide or international surveillance and prophylactic strategy support.
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Grégoire F, Bakinahe R, Petitjean T, Boarbi S, Delooz L, Fretin D, Saulmont M, Mori M. Laboratory Diagnosis of Bovine Abortions Caused by Non-Maintenance Pathogenic Leptospira spp.: Necropsy, Serology and Molecular Study Out of a Belgian Experience. Pathogens 2020; 9:E413. [PMID: 32466444 PMCID: PMC7350382 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
: Bovine leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp.. The pathology and epidemiology of this infection are influenced by the numerous existing serovars and their adaptation to specific hosts. Infections by host-maintained serovars such as Hardjo are well documented, unlike those from the incidental ones. In July 2014, an emerging phenomenon of an increased incidence of icteric abortions associated with leptospiral infection occurred in southern Belgium. First-line serological analyses targeting cattle-adapted serovars failed at initial diagnosis. This study provides a comprehensive description of laboratory findings-at the level of necropsy, serology and molecular diagnosis-regarding icteric and non-icteric abortions (n = 116) recorded during this time (years 2014-2015) and associated with incidental infection by serovars such as Grippotyphosa, Australis and Icterohaemorrhagiae. Based on these tests, a diagnostic pathway is proposed for these types of infection in cattle to establish an affordable but accurate diagnosis in the future. These investigations add insights into the understanding of the pathogenesis of bovine leptospirosis associated with serovars classically described as non-maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Grégoire
- Association Régionale de Santé et d’Identification Animales (ARSIA), B-5590 Ciney, Belgium; (F.G.); (T.P.); (L.D.); (M.S.)
| | - Raïssa Bakinahe
- Bacterial Zoonoses of Animals Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium; (R.B.); (S.B.); (D.F.)
| | - Thierry Petitjean
- Association Régionale de Santé et d’Identification Animales (ARSIA), B-5590 Ciney, Belgium; (F.G.); (T.P.); (L.D.); (M.S.)
| | - Samira Boarbi
- Bacterial Zoonoses of Animals Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium; (R.B.); (S.B.); (D.F.)
| | - Laurent Delooz
- Association Régionale de Santé et d’Identification Animales (ARSIA), B-5590 Ciney, Belgium; (F.G.); (T.P.); (L.D.); (M.S.)
| | - David Fretin
- Bacterial Zoonoses of Animals Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium; (R.B.); (S.B.); (D.F.)
| | - Marc Saulmont
- Association Régionale de Santé et d’Identification Animales (ARSIA), B-5590 Ciney, Belgium; (F.G.); (T.P.); (L.D.); (M.S.)
| | - Marcella Mori
- Bacterial Zoonoses of Animals Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium; (R.B.); (S.B.); (D.F.)
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Su Q, Chen Y, Wang B, Huang C, Han S, Yuan G, Zhang Q, He H. Epidemiology and genetic diversity of zoonotic pathogens in urban rats (Rattus spp.) from a subtropical city, Guangzhou, southern China. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:534-545. [PMID: 32452163 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Commensal rats (Rattus spp.), which are globally distributed, harbour many pathogens responsible for significant human diseases. Despite this, we have a poor understanding of the epidemiology and genetic diversity of some recently neglected zoonotic pathogens, such as Leptospira spp., Bartonella spp. and hepatitis E virus (HEV), which constitute a major public health threat. Thus, we surveyed the occurrences, co-infection and genetic diversity of these pathogens in 129 urban rats from China. For Rattus tanezumi, the prevalences of Leptospira spp., Bartonella spp. and HEV infection were 6.67%, 0% and 46.67%, respectively. The prevalences of Leptospira spp., Bartonella spp. and HEV infection were 57.89%, 9.65% and 57.89% for Rattus norvegicus respectively. Leptospira spp. and HEV infections were more likely to occur in mature R. norvegicus. Phylogenetic analyses showed that pathogenic Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira borgpetersenii might exist. We also found that Bartonella spp. showed high similarity to Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella rochalimae and Bartonella tribocorum, which are implicated in human disease. Dual and triple infections were both detected. Moreover, dual infections with Leptospira spp. and HEV represented the most frequent co-infection, and there was a significantly positive association between them. High genetic diversity was observed in genes segments from Leptospira, Bartonella and HEV. Our results first discover the occurrence of multiple co-infections and genetic diversity of Leptospira, Bartonella and HEV in commensal rats from China. Altogether, the present study provides an insight into evaluating the risk of rat-borne zoonoses in urban China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Su
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wang
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengmei Huang
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuyi Han
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guohui Yuan
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingxun Zhang
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongxuan He
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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10
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Ayral F, Kodjo A, Guédon G, Boué F, Richomme C. Muskrats are greater carriers of pathogenic Leptospira than coypus in ecosystems with temperate climates. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228577. [PMID: 32074117 PMCID: PMC7029846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge on the possible sources of human leptospirosis, other than rats, is currently lacking. To assess the distribution pattern of exposure and infection by Leptospira serogroups in the two main semi-aquatic rodents of Western France, coypus (Myocastor coypus) and muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), results of micro-agglutination testing and renal tissue PCR were used. In coypus, the apparent prevalence was 11% (n = 524, CI95% = [9% - 14%]), seroprevalence was 42% (n = 590, CI95% = [38% - 46%]), and the predominant serogroup was Australis (84%). In muskrats, the apparent prevalence was 33% (n = 274, CI95% = [27% - 39%]), seroprevalence was 57% (n = 305, CI95% = [52% - 63%]), and the predominant serogroup was Grippotyphosa (47%). Muskrats should therefore be considered an important source of Grippotyphosa infection in humans and domestic animals exposed in this part of France.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Ayral
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UsC 1233 RS2GP, Marcy-l’Etoile, France
| | - Angeli Kodjo
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UsC 1233 RS2GP, Marcy-l’Etoile, France
| | - Gérald Guédon
- FNLON (National federation for pest control), Angers, France
| | - Franck Boué
- Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, ANSES, Malzéville, France
| | - Céline Richomme
- Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, ANSES, Malzéville, France
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11
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Guillois Y, Bourhy P, Ayral F, Pivette M, Decors A, Aranda Grau JH, Champenois B, Malhère C, Combes B, Richomme C, Le Guyader M, King LA, Septfons A. An outbreak of leptospirosis among kayakers in Brittany, North-West France, 2016. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 23. [PMID: 30621819 PMCID: PMC6280422 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.48.1700848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In September 2016, a cluster of seven kayakers with clinical symptoms of leptospirosis with onset since July 2016 was reported to French health authorities. Human and animal investigations were undertaken to describe the outbreak, identify the likely place and source of infection and implement necessary control measures. We identified 103 patients with clinical symptoms of leptospirosis between 1 June and 31 October 2016 who lived in the Ille-et-Vilaine district in Brittany. Of these, 14 (including the original seven) reported contacts with the river Vilaine during the incubation period and were defined as outbreak cases: eight were confirmed by serology tests or PCR and six were probable without a laboratory confirmation for leptospirosis. All 14 cases were kayakers. Three distinct contamination sites were identified on a 30 km stretch of the river Vilaine. Nine cases reported having skin wounds while kayaking. None were vaccinated against leptospirosis. The outbreak was attributed to Leptospira kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa. Animal investigations did not allow identifying the possible reservoir. Leptospirosis outbreaks associated with freshwater sports are rare in temperate climates. The prevention of such outbreaks requires control of potential animal reservoirs in zones such as the Vilaine valley and that kayakers adopt the recommended individual prevention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pascale Bourhy
- Centre National de Référence de la leptospirose, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Anouk Decors
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune sauvage, Auffargis, France
| | | | | | - Célia Malhère
- Direction générale de l'alimentation, Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, Paris, France
| | - Benoît Combes
- Entente de lutte interdépartementale contre les zoonoses, Malzéville, France
| | - Céline Richomme
- Anses (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety), Nancy laboratory for rabies and wildlife, Malzéville, France
| | | | | | - Alexandra Septfons
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden.,Santé publique France, Saint-Maurice, France
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12
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Boey K, Shiokawa K, Rajeev S. Leptospira infection in rats: A literature review of global prevalence and distribution. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007499. [PMID: 31398190 PMCID: PMC6688788 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The role of rodents in Leptospira epidemiology and transmission is well known worldwide. Rats are known to carry different pathogenic serovars of Leptospira spp. capable of causing disease in humans and animals. Wild rats (Rattus spp.), especially the Norway/brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (R. rattus), are the most important sources of Leptospira infection, as they are abundant in urban and peridomestic environments. In this study, we compiled and summarized available data in the literature on global prevalence of Leptospira exposure and infection in rats, as well as compared the global distribution of Leptospira spp. in rats with respect to prevalence, geographic location, method of detection, diversity of serogroups/serovars, and species of rat. Methods We conducted a thorough literature search using PubMed without restrictions on publication date as well as Google Scholar to manually search for other relevant articles. Abstracts were included if they described data pertaining to Leptospira spp. in rats (Rattus spp.) from any geographic region around the world, including reviews. The data extracted from the articles selected included the author(s), year of publication, geographic location, method(s) of detection used, species of rat(s), sample size, prevalence of Leptospira spp. (overall and within each rat species), and information on species, serogroups, and/or serovars of Leptospira spp. detected. Findings A thorough search on PubMed retrieved 303 titles. After screening the articles for duplicates and inclusion/exclusion criteria, as well as manual inclusion of relevant articles, 145 articles were included in this review. Leptospira prevalence in rats varied considerably based on geographic location, with some reporting zero prevalence in countries such as Madagascar, Tanzania, and the Faroe Islands, and others reporting as high as >80% prevalence in studies done in Brazil, India, and the Philippines. The top five countries that were reported based on number of articles include India (n = 13), Malaysia (n = 9), Brazil (n = 8), Thailand (n = 7), and France (n = 6). Methods of detecting or isolating Leptospira spp. also varied among studies. Studies among different Rattus species reported a higher Leptospira prevalence in R. norvegicus. The serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae was the most prevalent serovar reported in Rattus spp. worldwide. Additionally, this literature review provided evidence for Leptospira infection in laboratory rodent colonies within controlled environments, implicating the zoonotic potential to laboratory animal caretakers. Conclusions Reports on global distribution of Leptospira infection in rats varies widely, with considerably high prevalence reported in many countries. This literature review emphasizes the need for enhanced surveillance programs using standardized methods for assessing Leptospira exposure or infection in rats. This review also demonstrated several weaknesses to the current methods of reporting the prevalence of Leptospira spp. in rats worldwide. As such, this necessitates a call for standardized protocols for the testing and reporting of such studies, especially pertaining to the diagnostic methods used. A deeper understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of Leptospira spp. in rats in urban environments is warranted. It is also pertinent for rat control programs to be proposed in conjunction with increased efforts for public awareness and education regarding leptospirosis transmission and prevention. The role of rodents in the transmission of many diseases, including leptospirosis, is widely known. Rats abundant in urban and peridomestic environments are the most important reservoirs and sources of Leptospira infection in humans and animals. Leptospirosis is a significant but neglected disease of humans and animals that is increasing in incidence in regions affected by natural disasters. This paper summarizes the global prevalence and distribution of Leptospira infection in rats and will add to the literature that supports research, education, and public awareness regarding leptospirosis transmission and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Boey
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Kanae Shiokawa
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
- * E-mail:
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13
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Strand TM, Pineda S, Backhans A, Jakobsen F, Råsbäck T, Lõhmus M, Järhult JD, Lundkvist Å. Detection of Leptospira in Urban Swedish Rats: Pest Control Interventions as a Promising Source of Rats Used for Surveillance. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:414-420. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tanja M. Strand
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Pineda
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Annette Backhans
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Frida Jakobsen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Therese Råsbäck
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mare Lõhmus
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Institute for Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Josef D. Järhult
- Department of Medical Sciences, Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åke Lundkvist
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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14
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Blasdell KR, Morand S, Perera D, Firth C. Association of rodent-borne Leptospira spp. with urban environments in Malaysian Borneo. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007141. [PMID: 30811387 PMCID: PMC6411199 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Although leptospirosis is traditionally considered a disease of rural, agricultural and flooded environments, Leptospira spp. are found in a range of habitats and infect numerous host species, with rodents among the most significant reservoirs and vectors. To explore the local ecology of Leptospira spp. in a city experiencing rapid urbanization, we assessed Leptospira prevalence in rodents from three locations in Malaysian Borneo with differing levels of anthropogenic influence: 1) high but stable influence (urban); 2) moderate yet increasing (developing); and 3) low (rural). A total of 116 urban, 122 developing and 78 rural rodents were sampled, with the majority of individuals assigned to either the Rattus rattus lineage R3 (n = 165) or Sundamys muelleri (n = 100). Leptospira spp. DNA was detected in 31.6% of all rodents, with more urban rodents positive (44.8%), than developing (32.0%) or rural rodents (28.1%), and these differences were statistically significant. The majority of positive samples were identified by sequence comparison to belong to known human pathogens L. interrogans (n = 57) and L. borgpetersenii (n = 38). Statistical analyses revealed that both Leptospira species occurred more commonly at sites with higher anthropogenic influence, particularly those with a combination of commercial and residential activity, while L. interrogans infection was also associated with low forest cover, and L. borgpetersenii was more likely to be identified at sites without natural bodies of water. This study suggests that some features associated with urbanization may promote the circulation of Leptospira spp., resulting in a potential public health risk in cities that may be substantially underestimated. Leptospirosis is a significant zoonotic disease that is found in a range of environments worldwide, most notably tropical regions prone to flooding. The bacterial agents of this disease, Leptospira spp., are most often associated with rodents, including species frequently found in urban areas. In cities, rodent populations are often larger and denser than those found in natural environments, which can lead to higher rates of contact with people and impact human disease risk. To investigate the impacts of urbanization on Leptospira spp., we sampled rodents at locations with differing levels of human influence, from highly urbanized to rural, surrounding a city in Malaysian Borneo. We found that 31.6% of all rodents were positive for Leptospira spp. DNA, and that two primary species were present, L. interrogans and L. borgpetersenii, both of which are known human pathogens. Statistical analyses revealed that infected animals were more common in areas with higher levels of human influence, and were more likely to occur at sites with limited forest cover, and mixed commercial and residential activity. Our study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that there is a significant yet underappreciated risk of leptospirosis for people living in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim R. Blasdell
- Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Serge Morand
- Animals, Health, Territories, Risks and Ecosystems, French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, Montpellier, France
- Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution de Montpellier, National Center for Scientific Research, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
- Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - David Perera
- The Institute of Health and Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Cadhla Firth
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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15
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Leptospirosis Associated with the Ingestion of Packaged Foods and Working Environment Conditions: A Case Report. JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.22207/jpam.12.3.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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16
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Jaeger LH, Pestana CP, Carvalho-Costa FA, Medeiros MA, Lilenbaum W. Characterization of the clonal subpopulation Fiocruz L1-130 of Leptospira interrogans in rats and dogs from Brazil. J Med Microbiol 2018; 67:1361-1367. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Hubert Jaeger
- 1Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- 2Laboratory of Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | | | - Filipe Anibal Carvalho-Costa
- 2Laboratory of Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | | | - Walter Lilenbaum
- 1Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
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17
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Goodman H, Egizi A, Fonseca DM, Leisnham PT, LaDeau SL. Primary blood-hosts of mosquitoes are influenced by social and ecological conditions in a complex urban landscape. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:218. [PMID: 29631602 PMCID: PMC5891940 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2779-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Temperate urban landscapes support persistent and growing populations of Culex and Aedes mosquito vectors. Large urban mosquito populations can represent a significant risk for transmission of emergent arboviral infection. However, even large mosquito populations are only a risk to the animals they bite. The purpose of this study is to identify and assess spatial patterns of host-use in a temperate urban landscape with heterogeneous socio-economic and ecological conditions. Results Mosquito blood meals were collected from neighborhoods categorized along a socio-economic gradient in Baltimore, MD, USA. Blood meal hosts were identified for two Aedes (Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) and three Culex (Cx. pipiens, Cx. restuans and Cx. salinarius) species. The brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) was the most frequently detected host in both Aedes species and Cx. salinarius. Human biting was evident in Aedes and Culex species and the proportion of human blood meals from Ae. albopictus varied significantly with neighborhood socio-economic status. Aedes albopictus was most likely to feed on human blood hosts (at 50%) in residential blocks categorized as having income above the city median, although there were still more total human bites detected from lower income blocks where Ae. albopictus was more abundant. Birds were the most frequently detected Culex blood hosts but were absent from all Aedes sampled. Conclusions This study highlights fine-scale variation in host-use by medically important mosquito vectors and specifically investigates blood meal composition at spatial scales relevant to urban mosquito dispersal and human exposure. Further, the work emphasizes the importance of neighborhood economics and infrastructure management in shaping both the relative abundance of vectors and local blood feeding strategies. The invasive brown rat was an important blood source across vector species and neighborhoods in Baltimore. We show that social and economic conditions can be important predictors of transmission potential in urban landscapes and identify important questions about the role of rodents in supporting urban mosquito populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Goodman
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, 12545, USA
| | - Andrea Egizi
- Monmouth County Division of Mosquito Control, Tick-Borne Disease Laboratory, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Dina M Fonseca
- Center for Vector Biology, Entomology Department, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Paul T Leisnham
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
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18
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Mori M, Bourhy P, Le Guyader M, Van Esbroeck M, Djelouadji Z, Septfons A, Kodjo A, Picardeau M. Pet rodents as possible risk for leptospirosis, Belgium and France, 2009 to 2016. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 22. [PMID: 29090679 PMCID: PMC5718388 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2017.22.43.16-00792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an under-reported and emerging zoonotic disease which is potentially fatal in humans. Rodents are the main reservoirs for pathogenic Leptospira spp., but diagnosis in these animals is difficult, and their infection, which does not induce symptoms, usually goes unoticed. Although the exposures of most human cases of leptospirosis are poorly documented, we were able to identify six human cases of leptospirosis which were associated with direct contact with pet rodents (mice or rats) in Belgium and France between 2009 and 2016. All cases had severe disease and for all, the presence of Leptospira spp. DNA in the kidneys of their pet animals was confirmed, strongly suggesting that excretion of leptospires in urine was the way of transmission. Half of the cases shared the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae, which is usually associated with severe disease, with the pet rats which they were in contact with. With the popularity of rats and mice as pets, this study should contribute to raising awareness on asymptomatic pet rodents as a source of Leptospira infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Mori
- Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Center, CODA- CERVA, Unit "Bacterial Zoonoses of Livestock", Operational Direction Bacterial Diseases, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pascale Bourhy
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des spirochètes, CNR de la Leptospirose, Paris, France
| | - Marine Le Guyader
- Campus Vétérinaire - VetAgro Sup, Laboratoire des Leptospires, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Marjan Van Esbroeck
- Institute for Tropical Medecine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Zorée Djelouadji
- Campus Vétérinaire - VetAgro Sup, Laboratoire des Leptospires, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Alexandra Septfons
- Santé publique France, French national public health agency, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Angeli Kodjo
- Campus Vétérinaire - VetAgro Sup, Laboratoire des Leptospires, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Mathieu Picardeau
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des spirochètes, CNR de la Leptospirose, Paris, France
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19
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Fischer S, Mayer-Scholl A, Imholt C, Spierling NG, Heuser E, Schmidt S, Reil D, Rosenfeld UM, Jacob J, Nöckler K, Ulrich RG. Leptospira Genomospecies and Sequence Type Prevalence in Small Mammal Populations in Germany. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:188-199. [PMID: 29470107 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide emerging infectious disease caused by zoonotic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. Numerous mammals, including domestic and companion animals, can be infected by Leptospira spp., but rodents and other small mammals are considered the main reservoir. The annual number of recorded human leptospirosis cases in Germany (2001-2016) was 25-166. Field fever outbreaks in strawberry pickers, due to infection with Leptospira kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa, were reported in 2007 and 2014. To identify the most commonly occurring Leptospira genomospecies, sequence types (STs), and their small mammal host specificity, a monitoring study was performed during 2010-2014 in four federal states of Germany. Initial screening of kidney tissues of 3,950 animals by PCR targeting the lipl32 gene revealed 435 rodents of 6 species and 89 shrews of three species positive for leptospiral DNA. PCR-based analyses resulted in the identification of the genomospecies L. kirschneri (62.7%), Leptospira interrogans (28.3%), and Leptospira borgpetersenii (9.0%), which are represented by four, one, and two STs, respectively. The average Leptospira prevalence was highest (∼30%) in common voles (Microtus arvalis) and field voles (Microtus agrestis). Both species were exclusively infected with L. kirschneri. In contrast, in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis), DNA of all three genomospecies was detected, and in common shrews (Sorex araneus) DNA of L. kirschneri and L. borgpetersenii was identified. The association between individual infection status and demographic factors varied between species; infection status was always positively correlated to body weight. In conclusion, the study confirmed a broad geographical distribution of Leptospira in small mammals and suggested an important public health relevance of common and field voles as reservoirs of L. kirschneri. Furthermore, the investigations identified seasonal, habitat-related, as well as individual influences on Leptospira prevalence in small mammals that might impact public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Fischer
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- 2 Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment , Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Imholt
- 3 Vertebrate Research, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Julius Kühn-Institute , Münster, Germany
| | - Nastasja G Spierling
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Elisa Heuser
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Sabrina Schmidt
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Daniela Reil
- 3 Vertebrate Research, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Julius Kühn-Institute , Münster, Germany
| | - Ulrike M Rosenfeld
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- 3 Vertebrate Research, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Julius Kühn-Institute , Münster, Germany
| | - Karsten Nöckler
- 2 Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment , Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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20
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Weis S, Hartmann K. [Leptospira infections in cats]. TIERAERZTLICHE PRAXIS AUSGABE KLEINTIERE HEIMTIERE 2017; 45:103-108. [PMID: 28327780 DOI: 10.15654/tpk-160912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis found in over 150 mammalian species. Subclinically infected rodents and farm animals serve as reservoir hosts. Cats are exposed to leptospires regularly, particularly through hunting infected rodents. However, clinical leptospirosis is rare in cats. Nevertheless, infected cats can shed the pathogen through urine and thus, cats could play an important role in the epidemiology of leptospires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Weis
- Sonia Weis, Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Veterinärstraße 13, 80539 München, E-Mail:
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21
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Heuser E, Fischer S, Ryll R, Mayer-Scholl A, Hoffmann D, Spahr C, Imholt C, Alfa DM, Fröhlich A, Lüschow D, Johne R, Ehlers B, Essbauer S, Nöckler K, Ulrich RG. Survey for zoonotic pathogens in Norway rat populations from Europe. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2017; 73:341-348. [PMID: 27299665 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Norway rat Rattus norvegicus is an important reservoir of various zoonotic pathogens, such as cowpox virus and Leptospira, but also for agents of no or unknown zoonotic potential. We describe a survey of 426 Norway rats originating from five European countries and different habitats for Leptospira spp., rickettsiae, orthopoxvirus (OPV), avian metapneumovirus subtypes A and B (aMPV) and rat polyomavirus (rat PyV). RESULTS Leptospira DNA was detected in 60 out of 420 (14.3%) rats, and Rickettsia DNA was found in three out of 369 (0.8%) rats investigated. PCR-based typing resulted in the identification of L. interrogans sequence type 17, which corresponds to the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Rickettsia helvetica respectively. Rat PyV DNA was detected in 103 out of 421 (24.5%) rats. OPV DNA and aMPV RNA were detected in none of the rats, but OPV-specific antibodies were detected in three out of 388 (0.8%) rats. The frequency of single Leptospira and rat PyV infections and coinfections was, independent of sex, greater for adults compared with juveniles/subadults and greater at rural sites compared with urban areas. CONCLUSIONS Study results indicate a broad geographical distribution of Leptospira DNA in rats within Europe, underlining the need to investigate further the potential mechanisms leading to increased prevalence in rural habitats and to assess the relevance to public health. In contrast, rickettsia and OPV infections rarely occurred in wild rat populations. The potential influence of rat PyV on the susceptibility to infections with other pathogens should be investigated in future studies. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Heuser
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Stefan Fischer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - René Ryll
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Donata Hoffmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Carina Spahr
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Imholt
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forestry, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Dewi Murni Alfa
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andreas Fröhlich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Dörte Lüschow
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Poultry Diseases, Berlin, Germany
| | - Reimar Johne
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Germany
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22
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Barragan V, Nieto N, Keim P, Pearson T. Meta-analysis to estimate the load of Leptospira excreted in urine: beyond rats as important sources of transmission in low-income rural communities. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:71. [PMID: 28129788 PMCID: PMC5273803 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2384-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis is a major zoonotic disease with widespread distribution and a large impact on human health. Carrier animals excrete pathogenic Leptospira primarily in their urine. Infection occurs when the pathogen enters a host through mucosa or small skin abrasions. Humans and other animals are exposed to the pathogen by direct contact with urine, contaminated soil or water. While many factors influence environmental cycling and the transmission of Leptospira to humans, the load of pathogenic Leptospira in the environment is likely to play a major role. Peridomestic rats are often implicated as a potential source of human disease; however exposure to other animals is a risk factor as well. The aim of this report is to highlight the importance of various carrier animals in terms of the quantity of Leptospira shed into the environment. For this, we performed a systematic literature review and a meta-analysis of the amount of pathogen that various animal species shed in their urine. RESULTS The quantity of pathogen has been reported for cows, deer, dogs, humans, mice, and rats, in a total of 14 research articles. We estimated the average Leptospira per unit volume shed by each animal species, and the daily environmental contribution by considering the total volume of urine excreted by each carrier animal. Rats excrete the highest quantity of Leptospira per millilitre of urine (median = 5.7 × 106 cells), but large mammals excrete much more urine and thus shed significantly more Leptospira per day (5.1 × 108 to 1.3 × 109 cells). CONCLUSIONS Here we illustrate how, in a low-income rural Ecuadorian community, host population demographics, and prevalence of Leptospira infection can be integrated with estimates of shed Leptospira to suggest that peridomestic cattle may be more important than rats in environmental cycling and ultimately, transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Barragan
- Pathogen & Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011-4073, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011-5640, USA.,Instituto de Microbiologia, Colegio de Ciencias Biologicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Nathan Nieto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011-5640, USA
| | - Paul Keim
- Pathogen & Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011-4073, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011-5640, USA
| | - Talima Pearson
- Pathogen & Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011-4073, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011-5640, USA.
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23
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Ayral F, Djelouadji Z, Raton V, Zilber AL, Gasqui P, Faure E, Baurier F, Vourc’h G, Kodjo A, Combes B. Hedgehogs and Mustelid Species: Major Carriers of Pathogenic Leptospira, a Survey in 28 Animal Species in France (20122015). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162549. [PMID: 27680672 PMCID: PMC5040419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leptospirosis is a zoonotic and potentially fatal disease that has increasingly been reported in both developing and developed countries, including France. However, our understanding of the basic aspects of the epidemiology of this disease, including the source of Leptospira serogroup Australis infections in humans and domestic animals, remains incomplete. We investigated the genetic diversity of Leptospira in 28 species of wildlife other than rats using variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) and multispacer sequence typing (MST). The DNA of pathogenic Leptospira was detected in the kidney tissues of 201 individuals out of 3,738 tested individuals. A wide diversity, including 50 VNTR profiles and 8 MST profiles, was observed. Hedgehogs and mustelid species had the highest risk of being infected (logistic regression, OR = 66.8, CI95% = 30.9-144 and OR = 16.7, CI95% = 8.7-31.8, respectively). Almost all genetic profiles obtained from the hedgehogs were related to Leptospira interrogans Australis, suggesting the latter as a host-adapted bacterium, whereas mustelid species were infected by various genotypes, suggesting their interaction with Leptospira was different. By providing an inventory of the circulating strains of Leptospira and by pointing to hedgehogs as a potential reservoir of L. interrogans Australis, our study advances current knowledge on Leptospira animal carriers, and this information could serve to enhance epidemiological investigations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Patrick Gasqui
- INRA, UR346 Epidémiologie Animale, Saint Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Eva Faure
- Fédération Nationale de la Chasse, Issy Les Moulineaux, France
| | | | - Gwenaël Vourc’h
- INRA, UR346 Epidémiologie Animale, Saint Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Angeli Kodjo
- Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, USC 1233, Marcy l’Etoile, France
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Weiss S, Menezes A, Woods K, Chanthongthip A, Dittrich S, Opoku-Boateng A, Kimuli M, Chalker V. An Extended Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) Scheme for Rapid Direct Typing of Leptospira from Clinical Samples. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004996. [PMID: 27654037 PMCID: PMC5031427 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rapid typing of Leptospira is currently impaired by requiring time consuming culture of leptospires. The objective of this study was to develop an assay that provides multilocus sequence typing (MLST) data direct from patient specimens while minimising costs for subsequent sequencing. Methodology and Findings An existing PCR based MLST scheme was modified by designing nested primers including anchors for facilitated subsequent sequencing. The assay was applied to various specimen types from patients diagnosed with leptospirosis between 2014 and 2015 in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Of 44 clinical samples (23 serum, 6 whole blood, 3 buffy coat, 12 urine) PCR positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. at least one allele was amplified in 22 samples (50%) and used for phylogenetic inference. Full allelic profiles were obtained from ten specimens, representing all sample types (23%). No nonspecific amplicons were observed in any of the samples. Of twelve PCR positive urine specimens three gave full allelic profiles (25%) and two a partial profile. Phylogenetic analysis allowed for species assignment. The predominant species detected was L. interrogans (10/14 and 7/8 from UK and Lao PDR, respectively). All other species were detected in samples from only one country (Lao PDR: L. borgpetersenii [1/8]; UK: L. kirschneri [1/14], L. santarosai [1/14], L. weilii [2/14]). Conclusion Typing information of pathogenic Leptospira spp. was obtained directly from a variety of clinical samples using a modified MLST assay. This assay negates the need for time-consuming culture of Leptospira prior to typing and will be of use both in surveillance, as single alleles enable species determination, and outbreaks for the rapid identification of clusters. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with more than 1 million cases per year globally and epidemics are increasingly reported. In this setting rapid typing is essential to identify potential clusters and transmission pathways. Typing of bacteria commonly requires bacterial isolates but culturing Leptospira is difficult and time consuming and requires invasive samples, such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid. We modified an existing typing scheme to lower the limit of detection and were able to amplify and sequence alleles directly from clinical specimens. Samples included blood (whole blood, serum, or buffy coat) and urine from patients diagnosed by PCR with leptospirosis between 2014 and 2015 in the United Kingdom and the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. Using the sequences in phylogenetic analysis we identified the predominant Leptospira species in both countries as L. interrogans. With its increased sensitivity the modified assay allows for typing and species determination of Leptospira directly from blood or urine. It will be of use during epidemics and outbreaks for rapid identification of clusters and can support surveillance without the need to culture fastidious isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Weiss
- Public Health England (PHE), National Infection Service (NIS), London, United Kingdom.,European Programme for Public Health Microbiology (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Angela Menezes
- Public Health England (PHE), National Infection Service (NIS), London, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Woods
- Public Health England (PHE), National Infection Service (NIS), London, United Kingdom.,Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Anisone Chanthongthip
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Sabine Dittrich
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Vientiane, Lao PDR.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Agatha Opoku-Boateng
- Public Health England (PHE), National Infection Service (NIS), London, United Kingdom
| | - Maimuna Kimuli
- Public Health England (PHE), National Infection Service (NIS), London, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Chalker
- Public Health England (PHE), National Infection Service (NIS), London, United Kingdom
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