Epidemiology of Leptospirosis: The First Literature Review of the Neglected Disease in the Middle East

Harran, Elena; Hilan, C.; Djelouadji, Zouheira; Ayral, Florence

doi:10.3390/tropicalmed7100260

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 115 publications

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“…2 ], Similar to our experience, issues like endemicity, negative laboratory tests, and low sensitivity of tests are seen all over the world including Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Argentina, Brazil, China, Taiwan, India, Portugal, Middle Eastern countries, Uganda, and several other countries. [ 11 13 16 17 18 19 20 52 53 54 ] Argentina (1999–2005) reported 812 suspected cases. Of them, only 182 (22.4%) were positive for leptospirosis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leptospiral uveitis- “Transition ‘from epidemic to endemic form” difficulties in laboratory confirmation

Rathinam,

Kohila,

Gowri

et al. 2023

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

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Purpose: Leptospirosis is a waterborne zoonotic disease that primarily causes systemic illness, followed by uveitis. After heavy flooding in Madurai district, an epidemic outbreak of systemic and ocular leptospirosis occurred in 1994. Our data shows a transition to endemicity after each epidemic. Aim: The aim of this study is to report the clinical signs, epidemic outbreaks, and persistent endemicity of leptospiral uveitis, as well as the diagnostic dilemmas associated with it. Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical signs was conducted using medical records of leptospiral uveitis patients over a period of 27 years (1994–2020) in a tertiary care eye hospital. The clinical workup of uveitis included a detailed clinical history, systemic, and ophthalmic examination. Microagglutination tests (MATs) was done at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta and later in our regional laboratory. Serum samples were collected from human systemic leptospirosis cases and a small group of animals in and around Madurai. Results: The first epidemic outbreak resulted in 200 seropositive patients. Subsequent epidemic outbreaks occurred in 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, and 2012, with Madurai experiencing multiple outbreaks. However, the disease remained endemic, with 25–50 patients being observed per year in between the peaks. Ocular examination revealed acute non-granulomatous uveitis (94.9%), pan uveitis (59.8%), vitreous inflammatory reaction (55.4%), retinal vasculitis (29.5%), disc hyperemia (20.9%), and hypopyon. (16.2%). New serovars emerged every year, resulting in decreased sensitivity of the MAT. Over time, the MAT started to miss diagnoses. Conclusion: The persistent endemicity of leptospiral uveitis emphasizes the need for accessible diagnostic tests. The low performance of the MAT can be attributable to the use of an older panel. The incorporation of new isolates in the MAT by a national laboratory will improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leptospiral uveitis- “Transition ‘from epidemic to endemic form” difficulties in laboratory confirmation

Rathinam,

Kohila,

Gowri

et al. 2023

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

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“…El agente causal es una espiroqueta del género Leptospira spp, con gran afinidad por áreas de clima tropical, zonas rurales y en alguna proporción en zonas urbanas. Constituye un problema de salud pública pues está relacionada directamente con los aspectos ambientales, condiciones locales, ocupacionales y actividades de ocio, (1) entre otras actividades .…”

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Situación actual de leptospirosis en Colombia, 2022: aspectos epidemiológicos

Serna–Trejos

Moyano

2023

Rev. virtual Soc. Parag. Med. Int.

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“…Within the larger region of the Middle East, attempts have been made to survey cattle for Leptospira infection [33].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular and Serological Identification of Pathogenic Leptospira in Local and Imported Cattle from Lebanon

Harran

Rizk

Angelloz-Pessey

et al. 2023

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

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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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Epidemiology of Leptospirosis: The First Literature Review of the Neglected Disease in the Middle East

Cited by 10 publications

References 115 publications

Leptospiral uveitis- “Transition ‘from epidemic to endemic form” difficulties in laboratory confirmation

Leptospiral uveitis- “Transition ‘from epidemic to endemic form” difficulties in laboratory confirmation

Situación actual de leptospirosis en Colombia, 2022: aspectos epidemiológicos

Molecular and Serological Identification of Pathogenic Leptospira in Local and Imported Cattle from Lebanon

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