High Leptospira Diversity in Animals and Humans Complicates the Search for Common Reservoirs of Human Disease in Rural Ecuador

Barragán, Verónica; Chiriboga, J.; Miller, Erin B.; Olivas, Sonora; Birdsell, Dawn N.; Hepp, Crystal M.; Hornstra, Heidie; Schupp, James M.; Morales, Melba; González, Manuel; Reyes, Soraya; Cruz, Carmen de la; Keim, Paul; Hartskeerl, Rudy A.; Trueba, Gabriel; Pearson, Talima

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0004990

Cited by 59 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Our result is similar to Leptospira prevalence reported in farmed pigs from rural Ecuador (21.1%) [39] but significantly higher than prevalences reported in New Caledonia (10.2%) [34] or Thailand (7.9%) [40]. A single infected pig was shown to carry the same genotype as found in most human samples (clade A).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Leptospira diversity in animals and humans in Tahiti, French Polynesia

et al. 2017

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BackgroundLeptospirosis is a highly endemic bacterial zoonosis in French Polynesia (FP). Nevertheless, data on the epidemiology of leptospirosis in FP are scarce. We conducted molecular studies on Leptospira isolated from humans and the potential main animal reservoirs in order to identify the most likely sources for human infection.Methodology/Principal findingsWild rats (n = 113), farm pigs (n = 181) and domestic dogs (n = 4) were screened for Leptospira infection in Tahiti, the most populated island in FP. Positive samples were genotyped and compared to Leptospira isolated from human cases throughout FP (n = 51), using secY, 16S and LipL32 sequencing, and MLST analysis. Leptospira DNA was detected in 20.4% of rats and 26.5% of pigs. We identified two Leptospira species and three sequence types (STs) in animals and humans: Leptospira interrogans ST140 in pigs only and L. interrogans ST17 and Leptospira borgpetersenii ST149 in humans and rats. Overall, L. interrogans was the dominant species and grouped into four clades: one clade including a human case only, two clades including human cases and dogs, and one clade including human cases and rats. All except one pig sample showed a unique L. interrogans (secY) genotype distinct from those isolated from humans, rats and dogs. Moreover, LipL32 sequencing allowed the detection of an additional Leptospira genotype in pigs, clearly distinct from the previous ones.Conclusions/SignificanceOur data confirm rats as a major potential source for human leptospirosis in FP. By contrast to what was expected, farm pigs did not seem to be a major reservoir for the Leptospira genotypes identified in human patients. Thus, further investigations will be required to determine their significance in leptospirosis transmission in FP.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Leptospira diversity in animals and humans in Tahiti, French Polynesia

et al. 2017

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“…Although not frequently reported, strains of L. noguchii have been described infecting a variety of animal hosts, including cattle (Barragan et al, ; Faine et al, ; Hamond et al, ; Martins et al, ; Zarantonelli et al, ), rats (Pellizzaro et al, ; Vieira et al, ) and bats (Ballados‐González et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The high diversity of Leptospira species found infecting humans and animals makes it difficult to understand its epidemiology and the establishment of reservoirs. Particularly in livestock areas—where there is exposure to urine and fluids from potentially infected animals—these animals become the most important reservoir for bacteria (Barragan et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This disease presents a complex and dynamic epidemiology including the relationship between humans, animals and ecosystems, being an excellent example for the ‘One Health’ approach. The Leptospira noguchii species have been reported in different hosts, in both wild (Ballados‐González et al, ) and domestic (Barragan et al, ; Silva et al, , ) animals, mainly in Americas. It has also been described causing disease in humans (Silva et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular epidemiology of Leptospira noguchii reveals important insights into a One Health context

Loureiro

Jaeger

Azevedo

et al. 2019

Transbound Emerg Dis

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Leptospirosis presents a complex and dynamic epidemiology. Bovine leptospirosis has been described as a major infectious disease impairing reproductive efficiency. Although infections by Leptospira interrogans, L. santarosai and L. borgpetersenii are frequently reported in cattle, the presence of L. noguchii in these animals should not be neglected. In this study, we describe serological (MAT) and molecular characterization (rrs and secY gene sequencing, multilocus sequence typing [MLST] and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis [PFGE]) of eight L. noguchii strains obtained from slaughtered cows. Intraspecific genetic diversity was evaluated, and haplotype networks were constructed based on hosts and geographical localizations. Strains were characterized as belonging to serogroups Australis, Autumnalis and Panama, and molecular characterization showed a high heterogeneity of these strains. Ten different STs were found (including nine new STs and 39 novel alleles) as well as nine different pulsotypes. Two clonal complexes were found. Phylogenetic trees based on secY locus and concatenated MLST loci showed two main clusters, with sequences from the present study included in the first. In general, there was no relationship between the geographical origin and the secY phylogenetic clusters, as well as between secY phylogenetic clusters and serogroups. Molecular diversity indexes confirmed a high variability (H > 0.8). This high intraspecific variation observed may be related to differences in virulence, pathogenicity and antigenicity or even adaptability of the strains. In addition, haplotype networks clearly demonstrated the circulation of genotypes between humans and animals, confirming the zoonotic potential. The present study provides relevant data for the study of leptospirosis in the One Health context, where human, animal and environmental health is closely connected.

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“…Leptospirosis is a zoonosis disease with global spread that is created by pathogenic spirochete of leptospira type which is the most common zoonoses (Barragan et al, 2016). This disease is more common in hot and tropical areas and remains in the nature through chronic renal infection of carrier animal especially, rodents and small mammals that shed it with their urine; human infection occurs with direct contact to the urine or infected tissue of carrier animals, or as a more common way, with indirect exposure to the organism in wet soil or contaminated water (Kue et al, 2003;Mandell, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical and Laboratory Presentations of Leptospirosis Patients in North of Iran

Javanian¹,

Bayani²,

Esfandiar³

et al. 2017

JMBR

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Leptospirosis is a zoonosis that common in warm and tropical regions with global spread and it is an occupational disease. The aim of recent study was to evaluate the clinical and Para clinical findings of leptospirosis patients in Babol, northern of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 118 patients with high suspicion to leptospirosis admitted to hospitals of Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran, during 2009 -2011. Thirty one cases with positive finding (IFA) were enrolled as definitive Patients. Clinical and Para clinical data for all patients were recorded. The mean age of the confirmed patients (male: 71%, rural: 90.5%) was 48.5 years (range 18-80 years old). The commonest chief complaints were fever (71%) and ichter (19%) and among the clinical features of them fever (90.5%), gastro intestinal signs (80.5%), ichter (71%) and headache(68%) was the most prevalent ones. Weil's syndrome occurred in 10 (32%) patients. Thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis were noticed in 80.5% and 42% of the patients respectively. Transaminases in 80.5% of cases were above the normal upper limit. Based on current study, the most of leptospirosis patients were farmers and presented in hot seasons. The commonest clinical and laboratory pattern of this disease in our region was fever, ichter, myalgia and headache in conjunction with Mild elevations in levels of transaminases and thrombocytopenia that can be used as a good marker in early clinical diagnosis and treatment.

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High Leptospira Diversity in Animals and Humans Complicates the Search for Common Reservoirs of Human Disease in Rural Ecuador

Cited by 59 publications

References 45 publications

Leptospira diversity in animals and humans in Tahiti, French Polynesia

Leptospira diversity in animals and humans in Tahiti, French Polynesia

Molecular epidemiology of Leptospira noguchii reveals important insights into a One Health context

Clinical and Laboratory Presentations of Leptospirosis Patients in North of Iran

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