Global distribution ofLeptospiraserovar isolations and detections from animal host species: a systematic review and online database

Abstract

ObjectivesLeptospira,the spirochaete causing leptospirosis, can be classified into >250 antigenically distinct serovars. Although knowledge of the animal host species and geographic distribution ofLeptospiraserovars is critical to understand the human and animal epidemiology of leptospirosis, currently data are fragmented. We aimed to systematically review the literature on animal host species and geographic distribution ofLeptospiraserovars to examine associations between serovars with animal host species and regions, and to identify geographic regions in need of study.MethodsNine library databases were searched from inception through 9 March 2023 using keywords includingLeptospira, animal, and a list of serovars. We sought reports of detection ofLeptospira, from any animal, characterized by cross agglutinin absorption test, monoclonal antibody typing, serum factor analysis, or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to identify the serovar.ResultsWe included 409 reports, published from 1927 through 2022, yielding data on 154Leptospiraserovars. The reports included data from 66 (26.5%) of 249 countries. Detections were from 144 animal host species including 135 (93.8%) from the class Mammalia, 5 (3.5%) from Amphibia, 3 (2.1%) from Reptilia, and 1 (0.7%) from Arachnida. Across the animal host species,Leptospiraserovars that were detected in the largest number of animal species included Grippotyphosa (n=39), Icterohaemorrhagiae (n=29), Pomona (n=28), Australis (n=25), and Ballum (n=25). Of serovars, 76 were detected in a single animal host species. We created an online database to identify animal host species for each serovar by country.ConclusionsWe found that many countries have few or noLeptospiraserovars detected from animal host species and that many serovars were detected from a single animal species. Our study highlights the importance of efforts to identify animal host species of leptospirosis, especially in places with a high incidence of human leptospirosis. We provide an updated resource for leptospirosis researchers.

Prevalence and risk factors for human leptospirosis at a hospital serving a pastoralist community, Endulen, Tanzania

“…Australis serogroup has been a common finding across multiple time periods and Regions of Tanzania [3,6,30,32,33], and has been detected in livestock, particularly cattle, as well as rodents [19,33]. Animal hosts of Leptospira serovars from the Djasiman serogroup have not been determined in Africa [2,34]. Therefore further work to isolate Leptospira from animal populations, particularly livestock is needed.…”