Molecular detection of Leptospira spp. from canine kidney tissues and its association with renal lesions

Abstract

AimThe study aimed to detect the prevalence of Leptospira spp. in kidney tissues collected during necropsy and to establish its association with renal lesions in dogs of Mumbai region.Materials and MethodsKidney tissues from 40 dogs were collected during necropsy after gross examination and then fixed in neutral buffered formalin and Bouin’s fluid for histopathology and histochemistry, respectively. Kidney tissues were also collected for the detection of Leptospira spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a sterile container and stored at −80°C until further processing.ResultsOf 40 cases studied, 13 (32.5%) cases showed lesions of nephritis of varying histotype and severity. Glomerulonephritis was reported as the most common type of nephritis in 9 (69.23%) cases, and interstitial nephritis was recorded in 4 (30.76%) cases. Chronic and acute interstitial nephritis was observed in two cases each. Renal failure as a cause of death was found in 7 (17.5%) dogs. Of a total of 40 cases, 9 were found positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. genome by PCR. However, of nine PCR-positive cases, only four cases showed lesions in kidneys as glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephritis in two cases each. The rest five cases positive for Leptospira spp. by PCR did not show any appreciable lesions in the kidneys.ConclusionLeptospiral DNA was detected in 9 (22.5%) cases by PCR. Of these nine cases, only four cases showed renal lesions. Other five cases which were positive for Leptospira spp. by PCR did not show any appreciable gross and microscopic lesions in the kidneys which might be carriers for Leptospira spp. Considering variable reports on types of nephritis in Leptospira spp. infection and also the prevalence of non-pathogenic Leptospira spp., it is important to conduct an extensive study on the prevalence of Leptospira spp. and its association with renal lesions involving batteries of tests.

Retrospective evaluation of 22 dogs with leptospirosis treated with extracorporeal renal replacement therapies (2018‐2021)

“…[5][6][7] During the disease's acute phase, dogs typically are presented with an AKI secondary to acute interstitial nephritis. 8 Thirty percent of dogs with acute leptospirosis develop oliguria or anuria. 4 These dogs might die before they reach the recovery stage of kidney function and therefore extracorporeal renal replacement therapy (RRT) is recommended.…”

“…During the disease's acute phase, dogs typically are presented with an AKI secondary to acute interstitial nephritis 8 . Thirty percent of dogs with acute leptospirosis develop oliguria or anuria 4 .…”

The Presence of a Virulent Clone of Leptospira interrogans Serovar Canicola in Confirmed Cases of Asymptomatic Dog Carriers in Mexico

“…It has been observed that host-adapted serovars usually cause chronic and subclinical infections, while non-adapted serovars are usually involved in acute, severe, and often fatal cases of leptospirosis [5]. In dogs, host-adapted Leptospira serovars such as Canicola usually cause a subclinical form of leptospirosis, and a carrier state might be established with no apparent clinical signs [20].…”

Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization for the Detection of Intracellular Bacteria in Companion Animals

“…Surprisingly, FISH has not been used to investigate Leptospira spp. as a potential cause of kidney disease in either cats or dogs, despite numerous studies using other methods demonstrating their presence within the renal systems of both [ 78 , 79 ]. However, the study of Hutton et al [ 80 ] aimed to use FISH alongside histopathology—specifically, using modified Steiner (MS) and immunohistochemistry (IHC)—and PCR to investigate the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi as a potential cause of Lyme nephritis in dogs.…”