Leptospirosis in Urban Wild Boars, Berlin, Germany

Jansen, Andreas; Luge, Enno; Guerra, Beatriz; Wittschen, Petra; Gruber, Achim D.; Loddenkemper, Christoph; Schneider, Thomas; Lierz, Michael; Ehlert, D.; Appel, Bernd; Stark, Klaus; Nöckler, Karsten

doi:10.3201/eid1305.061302

Cited by 104 publications

(97 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…It is not surprising that these serovars were commonly identified in the feral swine we tested because they have been reported previously in both domestic swine [6,8] and feral swine [15,16]. Serovars Pomona and Bratislava have also been commonly identified in feral swine not only in the United States [11][12][13]30], but also in countries around the world such as Spain [14], Italy [31], Australia [15,32], Japan [24], and Germany [16]. In addition, transmission of serovar Pomona by infected pigs to calves has been documented, [6] suggesting that feral swine may also transmit the pathogen to cattle, thus further impacting livestock.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

“…Although serological prevalence of leptospirosis in feral swine has been examined in the United States and other countries [11,[13][14][15][16][17], we are unaware of any national scale efforts in the United States to quantify leptospiral shedding in the species. Since pathogenic leptospires have a predilection for the kidneys of infected swine [4], we tested kidneys and paired serum of feral swine collected in counties previously identified as antibody positive [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evidence of leptospirosis in the kidneys and serum of feral swine (Sus scrofa) in the United States

et al. 2016

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SUMMARYLeptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis in humans worldwide. In the United States, widespread detection of antibodies to leptospirosis have been identified in feral swine (Sus scrofa) with the highest detection of serovars, Bratislava, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Pomona. Over the past few years, feral swine populations have expanded their geographical range and distribution in the United States with reports in at least 39 of 50 states. Since feral swine serve as reservoirs for serovars that can infect humans, it is important to understand the risk of transmission. In order to learn more about the probability that feral swine shed infectious leptospires, we collected kidneys and paired serum when possible from 677 feral swine in 124 counties of 29 states. These counties had previously been identified as antibody positive for Leptospira interrogans serovars Bratislava, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae or Pomona. Although exposure to these same six serovars of leptospirosis continued to be high (53% overall) in the counties we sampled, we detected leptospiral DNA in only 3·4% of feral swine kidneys tested. Based on these results, it appears that although feral swine can serve as a source of infection to humans, especially in those who are more likely to encounter them directly such as wildlife biologists, veterinarians, and hunters, the risk may be relatively low. However, further studies to examine the relationship between leptospiral shedding in the urine and kidneys in addition to culturing the organism are recommended in order to better understand the risk associated with feral swine.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of leptospirosis in the kidneys and serum of feral swine (Sus scrofa) in the United States

et al. 2016

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“…was detected in deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus and Dama dama) and boars (Sus scrofa) (52). In Germany, in boars in which serology was associated with chronic interstitial nephritis, renal tissue detection of leptospires turned them into important source of human leptospirosis in urban environment (53). In Australia, leptospiral antibodies were found gray kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and the importance of these animals as reservoirs is still in discussion (54).…”

Section: Wild Animal Aspectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions between environment, wild animals and human leptospirosis

Ullmann¹,

Langoni²

2011

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

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Leptospirosis, a worldwide distributed zoononis caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira (antigenically classified into serovars), may be direct or indirectly transmitted through infected urine or environment. Several domestic and wild animals are leptospirosis reservoirs. The disease presents occupational character since it is widely reported in professionals that work in humid environments -such as sewage workers and fishermen -and in places where rodents or susceptible animals are found, like slaughterhouses and veterinary clinics. In developing countries, outbreaks are related to lack of sanitation, overcrowding in inadequate housing and climatic conditions. In developed countries, sporadic cases occur in aquatic recreational activities including swimming and triathlon. The diagnosis of leptospirosis is complex due to the variety of symptoms, disease severity and the lack of techniques that are able to early detect the infection. Thus, leptospirosis causes numerous public health problems and educational activities are very important to its control.

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“…are endemic to many domestic and wild animals, which may shed the pathogen in urine (Levett, 2001). Humans may acquire potentially fatal leptospirosis through contact with urinecontaminated water or food (Jansen et al, 2007) or through body fluids of infected animals, especially rodents (WHO, 2003). Leptospira spp.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Leptospira spp. In Commensal Rodents, Beijing, China

Wang

2013

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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Leptospirosis in Urban Wild Boars, Berlin, Germany

Cited by 104 publications

References 9 publications

Evidence of leptospirosis in the kidneys and serum of feral swine (Sus scrofa) in the United States

Evidence of leptospirosis in the kidneys and serum of feral swine (Sus scrofa) in the United States

Interactions between environment, wild animals and human leptospirosis

Leptospira spp. In Commensal Rodents, Beijing, China

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