Use of PCR to Identify<i>Leptospira</i>in Kidneys of Big Brown Bats (<i>Eptesicus fuscus</i>) in Kansas and Nebraska, USA

Harkin, Kenneth R.; Hays, Michael P.; Davis, Rolan D.; Moore, Michael C.

doi:10.7589/2013-08-201

Cited by 17 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…However, a study in the United States did not detect the presence of Leptospira spp. in bats [26], which suggests that the prevalence of these bacteria in bat populations may vary according to the region of study. Interestingly, in the present work, the presence of these bacteria was detected in D. phaeotis and L. silvicolum, in which the presence of Leptospira spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bats are a potential reservoir of pathogenic Leptospira species in Colombia

Mateus

Gómez

Herrera-Sepúlveda

et al. 2019

J Infect Dev Ctries

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Introduction: Bats have become an epidemiologically significant source of pathogenic microorganisms, such as leptospires, the causative agents of leptospirosis. However, little information exists about bats and their potential role as a reservoir of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in Colombia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in the kidneys of bats from the Caribbean region of Colombia deposited in the collection of mammals of the Museo Javeriano de Historia Natural (MPUJ-MAMM). Methodology: DNA was extracted from twenty-six kidney samples from a total of 13 species of bats captured in Colombia. First, 16S ribosomal RNA conventional PCR was performed to detect the presence of Leptospira spp. Then, in samples that tested positive, LipL32 PCR was performed to detect pathogenic Leptospira spp. by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: The presence of Leptospira spp. was observed in 7/26 (26.9%) bats from the following 6 species: Carollia perspicillata, Glossophaga soricina, Dermanura phaeotis, Uroderma bilobatum, Desmodus rotundus, and Lophostoma silvicolum, and pathogenic Leptospira spp. were detected in 4/26 samples (15.4%). Conclusions: This study suggests that bats present in the Caribbean region of Colombia could be potential reservoirs of pathogenic Leptospira spp.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bats are a potential reservoir of pathogenic Leptospira species in Colombia

Mateus

Gómez

Herrera-Sepúlveda

et al. 2019

J Infect Dev Ctries

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“…Our work is pioneer in the detection of several pathogenic members of the genus Leptospira in populations of bats from Mexico, being the first one to detect species of pathogenic leptospires in flying mammals in North America (Dietrich et al., ; Harkin, Hays, Davis, & Moore, ). In our study, haplotype network revealed a high‐genetic diversity of Leptospira in bats, some of which are highly divergent from known lineages; this is congruent with recently proposed that Leptospira communities in bats are structured by geography rather than by the phylogenetic relationships of their hosts (Lei & Olival, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of pathogenicLeptospiraspecies associated with phyllostomid bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from Veracruz, Mexico

Ballados‐González

Sánchez‐Montes

Romero-Salas

et al. 2018

Transbound Emerg Dis

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The genus Leptospira encompass 22 species of spirochaetes, with ten pathogenic species that have been recorded in more than 160 mammals worldwide. In the last two decades, the numbers of records of these agents associated with bats have increased exponentially, particularly in America. Although order Chiroptera represents the second most diverse order of mammals in Mexico, and leptospirosis represents a human and veterinary problem in the country, few studies have been conducted to identify potential wildlife reservoirs. The aim of this study was to detect the presence and diversity of Leptospira sp. in communities of bats in an endemic state of leptospirosis in Mexico. During January to September 2016, 81 bats of ten species from three localities of Veracruz, Mexico, were collected with mist nets. Kidney samples were obtained from all specimens. For the detection of Leptospira sp., we amplified several genes using specific primers. Amplicons of the expected size were submitted to sequencing, and sequences recovered were compared with those of reference deposited in GenBank using the BLAST tool. To identify their phylogenetic position, we realized a reconstruction using maximum-likelihood (ML) method. Twenty-five samples from three bat species (Artibeus lituratus, Choeroniscus godmani and Desmodus rotundus) showed the presence of Leptospira DNA. Sequences recovered were close to Leptospira noguchii, Leptospira weilii and Leptospira interrogans. Our results include the first record of Leptospira in bats from Mexico and exhibit a high diversity of these pathogens circulating in the state. Due to the finding of a large number of positive wild animals, it is necessary to implement a surveillance system in populations of the positive bats as well as in related species, in order to understand their role as carriers of this bacterial genus.

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“…Regarding the feed behavior, the presence of leptospiral DNA was detected in insectivorous species, which refutes the hypothesis that sharing food with rodents increases the likelihood of bats to carry Leptospira spp. [29]. As the bats' habitats were not accessed, it was not possible to determine the routes by which the animals were probably infected.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathogenic Leptospira spp. in bats: Molecular investigation in Southern Brazil

Mayer

Reis

Bezerra

et al. 2017

Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

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The present study aimed to investigate the frequency of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in Brazilian bats and to determine possible risk factors associated to it. Ninety two bats of 12 species were evaluated. Whole genomic DNA from kidneys was extracted and real-time PCR specific to pathogenic Leptospira spp. was applied. Association between the frequency of specimens positive for Leptospira spp. and sex, age, bat species or family, season of collection, geographic localization and feeding habits was evaluated. The results showed that 39.13% of analyzed bats were found positive for Leptospira spp. Nine bat species had at least one positive result. There was no association among the evaluated variables and frequency of pathogenic Leptospira spp. Although the limitations due to lack of Leptospira spp. isolation, leptospiral carriage was demonstrated in bats of different species from southern Brazil, which reinforces the need for surveillance of infectious agents in wild animals.

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Use of PCR to IdentifyLeptospirain Kidneys of Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in Kansas and Nebraska, USA

Cited by 17 publications

References 19 publications

Bats are a potential reservoir of pathogenic Leptospira species in Colombia

Bats are a potential reservoir of pathogenic Leptospira species in Colombia

Detection of pathogenicLeptospiraspecies associated with phyllostomid bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from Veracruz, Mexico

Pathogenic Leptospira spp. in bats: Molecular investigation in Southern Brazil

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