Seroprevalence of human leptospirosis in a rural community from Tandil, Argentina. Assessment of risk factors and spatial analysis

Silva, Julia A.; Scialfa, Exequiel A.; Tringler, Matías; Rodríguez, María Verónica; Tisnés, Adela; Linares, Santiago; Rivero, Mariana

doi:10.1016/j.ram.2022.02.007

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…At the regional level, these ndings accord with other research carried out in people from rural communities where individuals living at lower altitudes and in ood-prone areas present a higher risk of infection by Leptospira spp. (Silva et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors for brucellosis and leptospirosis in swine raised in small-scale farms from rural communities of Tandil county (Buenos Aires province, Argentina)

Silva

Scialfa

Gutiérrez

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Brucellosis and leptospirosis are zoonoses that cause reproductive diseases in pigs. Small-scale pig farming in rural communities represents a significant economic activity in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The aims of this work were to determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis and brucellosis in pigs reared in small-scale farms from rural areas of Tandil county, to analyze the associated risk factors, to describe the prevalent Leptospira serogroups and to determine the spatial distribution of both diseases. A total of 340 serum samples were obtained. Buffer Plate Agglutination Test, Rose Bengal Test, and Fluorescence Polarization Assay were used to detect antibodies against Brucella spp. Microscopic Agglutination Test was applied for serological diagnosis of leptospirosis. Statistical methods were used to evaluate the factors associated with the infections. Seroprevalences of 0% and 22.6% were observed for brucellosis and leptospirosis, respectively. The most prevalent Leptospira serogroups identified were Canicola, Ballum, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pomona. The main risk factors associated with leptospirosis infection were the higher number of pigs, the presence of horses and wild boars near or within the farms. The use of milling by-products of cereal grains as animal feed and the presence of weaning cage were also associated. A relevant spatial cluster of seropositivity to Leptospira spp. was identified in a low altitude area. Our results suggest that brucellosis probably was controlled in these productions but leptospirosis was present. Knowledge of leptospirosis and brucellosis seroprevalence, spatial distribution, and associated risk factors can be useful for prevention and control of endemic zoonotic diseases in the region.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors for brucellosis and leptospirosis in swine raised in small-scale farms from rural communities of Tandil county (Buenos Aires province, Argentina)

Silva

Scialfa

Gutiérrez

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…Recent surveys have indicated a strong relationship between cases of leptospirosis in humans and bovine leptospirosis [ 13 , 14 ]—a warning to health authorities from Brazil, the country with the second largest cattle herd in the world (estimated at 202 million heads). Despite the unfavorable weather conditions for the survival of Leptospira spp., the agent has been shown to be common in cattle maintained in Caatinga biome conditions, an exclusively Brazilian biome, with emphasis on the genitals as an alternative route of transmission [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Transplacental Infection in Leptospira spp. Epidemiology in Cattle in Caatinga Biome, Brazil

da Costa Barnabé,

Soares,

Barros

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that affects domestic animals, wild animals, and humans. It represents a public health problem and has an important economic impact on livestock. This study aims to investigate the importance of genital and transplacental infection in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in cows maintained in Caatinga biome conditions, Northeastern Brazil, as well as reporting organs colonized by Leptospira spp. in embryos and fetuses. Blood, urinary tract (urine, bladder, and kidney), and reproductive tract (vaginal fluid, uterus, uterine tube, ovary, and placenta) samples were collected from 15 slaughtered pregnant cows. Two embryos and 13 fetuses were sampled. Central nervous system and choroid ovoid samples were collected from embryos. Blood, central nervous system, lung, peritoneal liquid, abomasal content, liver, spleen, urine, bladder, kidney, and reproductive system samples were collected from fetuses. Diagnostic methods included the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using a collection of 24 serovars belonging to 17 different pathogenic serogroups of five species as antigens, as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were found in 9 cows (60%), while 13 cows (86.67%) had at least one organ or urine with leptospiral DNA. No fetus was seroreactive. Among the embryos and fetuses, 13 (86.67%) presented leptospiral DNA, proving a high frequency of transplacental infection (100%). For cows, the most frequent biological materials regarding Leptospira spp. DNA detection were placenta (13 out of 15 samples; 86.7%), uterus (10 out of 15 samples; 66.7%), and vaginal fluid (5 out of 15 samples; 33.3%), while, for fetuses/embryos, the most frequent PCR-positive samples were choroid ovoid (1/2; 50%), spleen (6/13; 46.2%), kidney (5/13; 38.5%), and central nervous system (5/15; 33.3%). Sequenced samples based on the LipL32 gene presented 99% similarity with L. borgpetersenii. The results indicate that transplacental infection is an efficient way of spreading Leptospira spp. in cows maintained in Caatinga biome conditions. Therefore, prevention and control strategies must include actions that interrupt transmission through this alternative route.

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Seroepidemiology of human leptospirosis in the Dominican Republic: a multistage cluster survey, 2021

Nilles,

Paulino,

Galloway

et al. 2024

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Little is known about the epidemiology of leptospirosis in the Dominican Republic, the second most populous country in the Caribbean. We report on findings from a multi-stage household survey across two regions in the country that reveals a previously under-estimated burden of humanLeptospirainfection. Our findings, based on the reference-standard microscopic agglutination test, indicate a complex picture of serogroup diversity, spatial heterogeneity in infection and risk, and a marked discrepancy between reported cases and serologically estimated infections. Given an overall seroprevalence of 11.3% (95% CI: 10.8-13.0%) and a lower estimated force of infection (0.30% per year [0.27% - 0.35%]) the number of infections may exceed national reported case data by 145-fold or more. Icterohaemorrhagiae, associated with severe Weil’s disease, was the most commonly identified serogroup with a serogroup-specific prevalence of 4.4%. Consistent with other settings, risk factors including age, male sex, and rat exposure were associated with higher seroprevalence. Our study highlights the need for targeted public health interventions informed by serogroup-specific dynamics, detailed spatial analyses, knowledge of local animal reservoirs, and strengthened laboratory surveillance to effectively control this pathogen.

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Seroprevalence of human leptospirosis in a rural community from Tandil, Argentina. Assessment of risk factors and spatial analysis

Cited by 5 publications

References 36 publications

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors for brucellosis and leptospirosis in swine raised in small-scale farms from rural communities of Tandil county (Buenos Aires province, Argentina)

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors for brucellosis and leptospirosis in swine raised in small-scale farms from rural communities of Tandil county (Buenos Aires province, Argentina)

The Role of Transplacental Infection in Leptospira spp. Epidemiology in Cattle in Caatinga Biome, Brazil

Seroepidemiology of human leptospirosis in the Dominican Republic: a multistage cluster survey, 2021

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