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Ramos-Vázquez JR, Sánchez-Montes S, Esparza-González SC, Romero-Salas D, Pardio-Sedas V, Estrada-Coates AT, Alva-Trujillo M, Ballados-González GG, Grostieta E, Becker I, Cruz-Romero A. Isolation and molecular identification of Leptospira santarosai and Leptospira interrogans in equines from eastern Mexico. Acta Trop 2024; 256:107242. [PMID: 38782111 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease with a worldwide distribution, which represents a major challenge in animal production across developing countries, mainly in tropical areas. Horses are particularly susceptible to the disease, presenting manifestations ranging from subclinical to the development of uveitis that compromises the visual health of the animals. In recent years, serological studies have been carried out in equid populations from America, demonstrating high exposure. For this reason, the aim of this study was to demonstrate microbiologically and molecularly the presence of the members of the genus Leptospira in urine samples from equids in an endemic state of leptospirosis in Mexico, and to detect the serological presence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in the sampled animals. For this reason, blood and urine samples were collected from 28 horses and one mule from three localities in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Urine samples were inoculated in Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) medium, and the recovered isolates were typed using a short Multi Locus Sequence Typing scheme. Amplifications of the expected size were subjected to sequencing, and the recovered sequences were compared with those of reference deposited in GenBank using the BLAST tool. To identify their phylogenetic position, we performed a phylogenetic reconstruction using the maximum likelihood method. Additionally, Microscopic Agglutination test was performed on the serum samples to identify anti-Leptospira antibodies. We recovered 16 urine isolates which tested positive for the presence of Leptospira DNA. The phylogenetic reconstruction and the MLST analysis confirmed the presence of several genotypes of Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira santarosai. An overall serological frequency of 97.1 % was detected. Our results represent the first record of the presence of Leptospira through bacteriological isolates in equids from Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- José R Ramos-Vázquez
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Posta Zootécnica Torreón del Molino, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Sokani Sánchez-Montes
- Laboratorio de Diagnóstico, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, región Poza Rica-Tuxpan, Universidad Veracruzana, Tuxpan de Rodríguez Cano, Veracruz, Mexico; Centro de Medicina Tropical, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | | | - Dora Romero-Salas
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Posta Zootécnica Torreón del Molino, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Violeta Pardio-Sedas
- Laboratorio de Seguridad Agroalimentaria, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Alejandro T Estrada-Coates
- Hospital de Grandes Especies, Posta Zootécnica Torreón del Molino, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Miriam Alva-Trujillo
- Hospital de Grandes Especies, Posta Zootécnica Torreón del Molino, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Gerardo G Ballados-González
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Posta Zootécnica Torreón del Molino, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Estefanía Grostieta
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ingeborg Becker
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Anabel Cruz-Romero
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Posta Zootécnica Torreón del Molino, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico.
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Sultana M, Paul SK, Nasreen SA, Haque N, Hasan MK, Islam A, Nila SS, Jahan A, Sathi FA, Hossain T, Ferdaus SJ, Aung MS, Kobayashi N. Epidemiological Features of Leptospirosis and Identification of Leptospira wolffii as a Persistently Prevailing Species in North-Central Bangladesh. Infect Dis Rep 2024; 16:638-649. [PMID: 39195000 DOI: 10.3390/idr16040049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is considered to be the most widespread, yet neglected, re-emerging zoonotic disease caused by infection with a pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira. Although this disease is prevalent in Bangladesh, the recent epidemiological status has not yet been well documented. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of leptospirosis among febrile patients using different diagnostic methods and to characterize the epidemiological features and species of Leptospira in Mymensingh, north-central Bangladesh. Among the blood samples of 186 patients with suspected leptospirosis who met the inclusion criteria, including having a fever for more than 5 days (November 2021-June 2022), 88 samples (47%) were Leptospira-positive according to IgM LAT, IgM ELISA, or nested PCR (positivity rates: 38%, 37%, and 42%, respectively). Nested PCR showed a significantly higher positivity rate (54%) in patients with a short fever (5-10 day) than the other methods did, with lower rates among those with a longer fever. Leptospirosis cases were more common in males (68%), those 16-45 years of age (70%), residents of rural areas (81%), and farmers (41%). In addition to a fever, myalgia and jaundice were found in more than 70% of the patients, while variable symptoms were observed. The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that the Leptospira species in all the 22 samples tested were L. wolffii, belonging to the pathogenic subclade P2. This study showed the recent epidemiological features of leptospirosis in Bangladesh, indicating the presumptive predominance of L. wolffii since 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monira Sultana
- Department of Microbiology, Nilphamari Medical College, Nilphamari 5300, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Nazia Haque
- Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh 2200, Bangladesh
| | - Md Kamrul Hasan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sirajganj 250 Bed Bongamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib General Hospital, Sirajganj 6700, Bangladesh
| | - Arup Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh 2200, Bangladesh
| | - Sultana Shabnam Nila
- Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh 2200, Bangladesh
| | - Afsana Jahan
- Department of Microbiology, Pabna Medical College, Pabna 6602, Bangladesh
| | - Fardousi Akter Sathi
- Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh 2200, Bangladesh
| | - Tasmia Hossain
- Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh 2200, Bangladesh
| | - Syeda Jannatul Ferdaus
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh 2200, Bangladesh
| | - Meiji Soe Aung
- Department of Hygiene, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Nobumichi Kobayashi
- Department of Hygiene, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
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3
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Prager KC, Danil K, Wurster E, Colegrove KM, Galloway R, Kettler N, Mani R, McDonough RF, Sahl JW, Stone NE, Wagner DM, Lloyd-Smith JO. Detection of Leptospira kirschneri in a short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis delphis) stranded off the coast of southern California, USA. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:266. [PMID: 38902706 PMCID: PMC11188202 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04111-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenic Leptospira species are globally important zoonotic pathogens capable of infecting a wide range of host species. In marine mammals, reports of Leptospira have predominantly been in pinnipeds, with isolated reports of infections in cetaceans. CASE PRESENTATION On 28 June 2021, a 150.5 cm long female, short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis delphis) stranded alive on the coast of southern California and subsequently died. Gross necropsy revealed multifocal cortical pallor within the reniculi of the kidney, and lymphoplasmacytic tubulointerstitial nephritis was observed histologically. Immunohistochemistry confirmed Leptospira infection, and PCR followed by lfb1 gene amplicon sequencing suggested that the infecting organism was L.kirschneri. Leptospira DNA capture and enrichment allowed for whole-genome sequencing to be conducted. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the causative agent was a previously undescribed, divergent lineage of L.kirschneri. CONCLUSIONS We report the first detection of pathogenic Leptospira in a short-beaked common dolphin, and the first detection in any cetacean in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Renal lesions were consistent with leptospirosis in other host species, including marine mammals, and were the most significant lesions detected overall, suggesting leptospirosis as the likely cause of death. We identified the cause of the infection as L.kirschneri, a species detected only once before in a marine mammal - a northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) of the northeastern Pacific. These findings raise questions about the mechanism of transmission, given the obligate marine lifestyle of cetaceans (in contrast to pinnipeds, which spend time on land) and the commonly accepted view that Leptospira are quickly killed by salt water. They also raise important questions regarding the source of infection, and whether it arose from transmission among marine mammals or from terrestrial-to-marine spillover. Moving forward, surveillance and sampling must be expanded to better understand the extent to which Leptospira infections occur in the marine ecosystem and possible epidemiological linkages between and among marine and terrestrial host species. Generating Leptospira genomes from different host species will yield crucial information about possible transmission links, and our study highlights the power of new techniques such as DNA enrichment to illuminate the complex ecology of this important zoonotic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Prager
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Kerri Danil
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Elyse Wurster
- Ocean Associates Inc. Under Contract to Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Kathleen M Colegrove
- Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL, 60513, USA
| | - Renee Galloway
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Niesa Kettler
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48825, USA
| | - Rinosh Mani
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48825, USA
| | - Ryelan F McDonough
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Jason W Sahl
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Nathan E Stone
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - David M Wagner
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - James O Lloyd-Smith
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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Harran E, Kuntz G, Decors A, Bourhy P, Auffret A, Bigeard C, Cherel D, Kodjo A, Le Dréan E, Lejas C, Lequeux G, Pilard MA, Pivette M, Guillois Y, Ayral F. Tracking potential Leptospira sources following human cases of leptospirosis: A One Health approach applied to an ecosystem in Brittany, France. One Health 2024; 18:100726. [PMID: 38644972 PMCID: PMC11026838 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic Leptospira can cause leptospirosis: a widespread, potentially fatal bacterial zoonosis whose risk is mediated by the soil and water features, animal host distributions, meaning the local ecosystem. When human cases of leptospirosis occur, it is challenging to track down their source because ecosystem-level epidemiological knowledge on Leptospira is needed. Between 2016 and 2019 in a focal riparian ecosystem, the human population experienced an outbreak and successive cases of leptospirosis attributable to L. kirschneri and L. interrogans. The epidemiological investigation was carried out using the One Health approach, as described in international health guidelines. As a first step in this process, we investigated leptospiral carriage in the main animal hosts found in the region. We sampled 143 nutrias, 17 muskrats, and 10 Norway rats using convenient trapping. DNA was extracted from their kidneys, lungs, and urine and subjected to real-time PCR (RT-PCR) targeting the Leptospira 16S rDNA and lfb1 genes. In the farms along the river's stretch of interest, we sampled serum from 439 cattle and used a microscopic agglutination test to detect the presence of antibodies against Leptospira. Urine samples were concomitantly obtained from 145 cattle and were used in two analyses: RT-PCR targeting the Leptospira 16S rDNA gene and Leptospira culturing. We found th, wt rodents were the most likely source of the L. interrogans behind the human cases. The cattle tested negative for Leptospira DNA but positive for antibodies against the serogroups implicated in the human cases. We failed to identify the potential source of the L. kirschneri responsible for several human cases of leptospirosis. Our results call for further clarification of the Leptospira maintenance community, which may comprise known maintenance hosts, such as rodents, as well as taxa not commonly considered to be maintenance hosts but that can still spread Leptospira. The resulting research network will collaboratively conduct future eco-epidemiological surveys to illuminate the leptospirosis risks faced by humans and animals within ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Harran
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy L'Etoile 69280, France
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Lebanon
| | | | - Anouk Decors
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction de la recherche et de l'appui scientifique, Orléans 45100, France
| | - Pascale Bourhy
- Biology of Spirochetes Unit, National Reference Center for Leptospirosis, Institut Pasteur, University of Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Clément Bigeard
- Ecole Nationale des Services Vétérinaires – France Vétérinaire Internationale, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy L'Etoile 69280, France
| | | | - Angeli Kodjo
- Laboratoire des Leptospires et d'Analyses Vétérinaires, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy L'Etoile 69280, France
| | | | - Cyrille Lejas
- Fédération Départementale de Gestion des Espèces exotiques envahissantes (FDGDON 35), Direction Technique, 35340 Ercé-prés-Liffré, France
| | | | - Marie-Agnès Pilard
- Agence Régionale de Santé Bretagne, Délégation Départementale d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Département Santé-Environnement, 35042 Rennes, France
| | - Mathilde Pivette
- Santé Publique France, Direction des regions, Bretagne, 94415 Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Yvonnick Guillois
- Santé Publique France, Direction des regions, Bretagne, 94415 Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Florence Ayral
- USC 1233-RS2GP, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy L'Etoile 69280, France
- VetAgro Sup, Pôle EVAAS, 69280 Marcy L'Etoile, France
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Ca Ferreira L, de Fa Ferreira Filho L, V Cosate MR, Sakamoto T. Genetic structure and diversity of the rfb locus of pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302478. [PMID: 38514188 PMCID: PMC10958091 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is caused by pathogenic strains of the genus Leptospira and is considered the most widespread zoonotic bacterial disease. The genus is characterized by the large number of serology variants, which challenges developing effective serotyping methods and vaccines with a broad spectrum. Because knowledge on the genetic basis of the serological diversity among leptospires is still limited, we aimed to explore the genetic structure and patterns of the rfb locus, which is involved in the biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharides, the major surface antigen that defines the serovar in leptospires. Here, we used genomic data of 722 pathogenic samples and compared the gene composition of their rfb locus by hierarchical clustering. Clustering analysis showed that the rfb locus gene composition is species-independent and strongly associated with the serological classification. The samples were grouped into four well-defined classes, which cluster together samples either belonging to the same serogroup or from different serogroups but sharing serological affinity. Our findings can assist in the development of new strategies based on molecular methods, which can lead to better tools for serological identification in this zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Ca Ferreira
- https://ror.org/04wn09761 Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment (BioME), Instituto Metrópole Digital (IMD), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Luiz de Fa Ferreira Filho
- https://ror.org/04wn09761 Departamento de Engenharia de Computação e Automação (DCA), Centro de Tecnologia (CT), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Maria Raquel V Cosate
- UMass Chain Medical School, Nonhuman Primates Reagent Resources, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Tetsu Sakamoto
- https://ror.org/04wn09761 Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment (BioME), Instituto Metrópole Digital (IMD), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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Hamond C, Adam EN, Stone NE, LeCount K, Anderson T, Putz EJ, Camp P, Hicks J, Stuber T, van der Linden H, Bayles DO, Sahl JW, Schlater LK, Wagner DM, Nally JE. Identification of equine mares as reservoir hosts for pathogenic species of Leptospira. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1346713. [PMID: 38784659 PMCID: PMC11112012 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1346713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Equine leptospirosis can result in abortion, stillbirth, neonatal death, placentitis, and uveitis. Horses can also act as subclinical reservoir hosts of infection, which are characterized as asymptomatic carriers that persistently excrete leptospires and transmit disease. In this study, PCR and culture were used to assess urinary shedding of pathogenic Leptospira from 37 asymptomatic mares. Three asymptomatic mares, designated as H2, H8, and H9, were PCR-positive for lipL32, a gene specific for pathogenic species of Leptospira. One asymptomatic mare, H9, was culture-positive, and the recovered isolate was classified as L. kirschneri serogroup Australis serovar Rushan. DNA capture and enrichment of Leptospira genomic DNA from PCR-positive, culture-negative samples determined that asymptomatic mare H8 was also shedding L. kirschneri serogroup Australis, whereas asymptomatic mare H2 was shedding L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae. Sera from all asymptomatic mares were tested by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and 35 of 37 (94.6%) were seropositive with titers ranging from 1:100 to 1:3200. In contrast to asymptomatic mares, mare H44 presented with acute spontaneous abortion and a serum MAT titer of 1:102,400 to L. interrogans serogroup Pomona serovar Pomona. Comparison of L. kirschneri serogroup Australis strain H9 with that of L. interrogans serogroup Pomona strain H44 in the hamster model of leptospirosis corroborated differences in virulence of strains. Since lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a protective antigen in bacterin vaccines, the LPS of strain H9 (associated with subclinical carriage) was compared with strain H44 (associated with spontaneous abortion). This revealed different LPS profiles and immunoreactivity with reference antisera. It is essential to know what species and serovars of Leptospira are circulating in equine populations to design efficacious vaccines and diagnostic tests. Our results demonstrate that horses in the US can act as reservoir hosts of leptospirosis and shed diverse pathogenic Leptospira species via urine. This report also details the detection of L. kirschneri serogroup Australis serovar Rushan, a species and serotype of Leptospira, not previously reported in the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Hamond
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Centers for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Emma N. Adam
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Nathan E. Stone
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
| | - Karen LeCount
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Centers for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Tammy Anderson
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Centers for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Ellie J. Putz
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Patrick Camp
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jessica Hicks
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Tod Stuber
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Hans van der Linden
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Darrell O. Bayles
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jason W. Sahl
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
| | - Linda K. Schlater
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Centers for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - David M. Wagner
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
| | - Jarlath E. Nally
- National Centers for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
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7
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Her R, Crespin L, Etougbétché J, Groud K, Gnolonfoun M, Chapron A, Evenamia C, Houéménou G, Lurier T, Cappelle J, Dobigny G, Ayral F. Seroprevalence and renal carriage of pathogenic Leptospira in livestock in Cotonou, Benin. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1430. [PMID: 38533755 PMCID: PMC10966766 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease. It is particularly prevalent in tropical countries and has major consequences for human and animal health. In Benin, the disease's epidemiology remains poorly understood, especially in livestock, for which data are lacking. OBJECTIVES To characterise Leptospira seroprevalence and locally circulating serogroups in livestock from Cotonou and to estimate the prevalence of Leptospira renal carriage in cattle. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study in February 2020 during which livestock were sampled at an abattoir and in an impoverished city district. We analysed blood samples from 279 livestock animals (i.e. cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) using the microscopic agglutination test. Additionally, samples of renal tissue from 100 cattle underwent 16s rRNA (rrs) real-time PCR analysis. RESULTS For the 131 cattle, 85 sheep, and 50 goats tested, seroprevalence was 18% (95% confidence interval [CI] [12%, 26%]), 9% (95% CI [4%, 17%] and 2% (95% CI [0%, 9%]), respectively, and most of the seropositive animals were associated with 1:100 titres. All 13 pigs were seronegative. Leptospira DNA was found in the renal tissue of 10% (95% CI [5%, 18%]) of the cattle tested (n = 100). Leptospira borgpetersenii was the main species present (n = 7), but Leptospira interrogans (n = 2) and Leptospira kirschneri (n = 1) were also detected. Various serogroups (Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Sejroe, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, Pyrogenes, Australis and Autumnalis) were detected using microscopic agglutination test without a clear predominance of any of them. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that abattoir workers and people living in close contact with livestock in poor urban areas are exposed to the risk of Leptospira infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Her
- Unité RS2GPVetAgro Sup, Université de LyonMarcy L'EtoileFrance
- UMR EPIAUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro SupSaint‐Genès‐ChampanelleFrance
- UMR EPIAUniversité de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro SupMarcy l'EtoileFrance
| | - Laurent Crespin
- UMR EPIAUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro SupSaint‐Genès‐ChampanelleFrance
- UMR EPIAUniversité de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro SupMarcy l'EtoileFrance
| | - Jonas Etougbétché
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Unité de Recherche sur les Invasions BiologiquesÉcole Polytechnique d'Abomey‐Calavi, Université d'Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
| | - Karine Groud
- Unité RS2GPVetAgro Sup, Université de LyonMarcy L'EtoileFrance
| | - Mathias Gnolonfoun
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Unité de Recherche sur les Invasions BiologiquesÉcole Polytechnique d'Abomey‐Calavi, Université d'Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
| | - Audrey Chapron
- Laboratoire des Leptospires et Analyses VétérinairesVetAgro Sup, Université de LyonMarcy L'EtoileFrance
| | - Camille Evenamia
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Unité de Recherche sur les Invasions BiologiquesÉcole Polytechnique d'Abomey‐Calavi, Université d'Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
| | - Gualbert Houéménou
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Unité de Recherche sur les Invasions BiologiquesÉcole Polytechnique d'Abomey‐Calavi, Université d'Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
| | - Thibaut Lurier
- UMR EPIAUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro SupSaint‐Genès‐ChampanelleFrance
- UMR EPIAUniversité de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro SupMarcy l'EtoileFrance
| | - Julien Cappelle
- ASTRE, Université Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAEMontpellierFrance
| | - Gauthier Dobigny
- UMR Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des PopulationsInstitut de Recherche pour le Développement, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Université MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- Unité PesteInstitut Pasteur de MadagascarAntananarivoMadagascar
| | - Florence Ayral
- Unité RS2GPVetAgro Sup, Université de LyonMarcy L'EtoileFrance
- Laboratoire des Leptospires et Analyses VétérinairesVetAgro Sup, Université de LyonMarcy L'EtoileFrance
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8
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de Oliveira NR, Maia MAC, Santos FDS, Seixas Neto ACP, Oliveira Bohn TL, Dellagostin OA. Evaluation of protective efficacy, serological responses, and cytokine modulation induced by polyvalent Leptospira vaccines in hamsters. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 108:102159. [PMID: 38490118 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Whole-cell inactivated vaccines (bacterins) are the only licensed vaccines available for leptospirosis prevention and control, especially in domestic and farm animals. However, despite their widespread use, inconsistencies in their efficacy have been reported. Because immunity induced by bacterins is mainly mediated by antibodies against leptospiral lipopolysaccharides, the involvement of cellular responses is not well-known. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and characterize the humoral and cellular immune responses induced by whole-cell inactivated leptospirosis bacterin formulations containing serovars Bratislava, Canicola, Copenhageni, Grippotyphosa, Hardjoprajitno, and Pomona. For the potency test, hamsters were immunized with one dose of polyvalent bacterins (either commercial or experimental) and then challenged with a virulent Pomona strain. Serological (MAT and IgM and IgG-ELISA) and cellular (cytokine transcription in blood evaluated by RT-qPCR) analyses were performed. The results revealed that vaccination with either bacterin formulation was able to protect 90-100% of the hamsters infected with the Pomona serovar, although most of the surviving animals remained as renal carriers. Specific agglutinating antibodies and significant levels of IgM, IgG, and IgG2 (P < 0.05) that were able to react with the six serovars present in the vaccine formulations were produced, indicating that the vaccines can potentially provide immunity against all strains. The protective immunity of these vaccines was mainly mediated by balanced a Th1/Th2 response, characterized by increased IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-α transcription. These data support the importance of characterizing immunological responses involved in bacterin efficacy and investing in the improvement of these vaccine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
| | - Mara Andrade Colares Maia
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Francisco Denis Souza Santos
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Thaís Larré Oliveira Bohn
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Odir Antônio Dellagostin
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
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9
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Putz EJ, Fernandes LGV, Sarlo Davila KM, Whitelegge J, Lippolis JD, Nally JE. Proteomic profiles of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo strains JB197 and HB203 cultured at different temperatures. J Proteomics 2024; 295:105106. [PMID: 38320623 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2024.105106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease affecting humans, domestic, and wild animals. Leptospira are typically shed in the urine of reservoir hosts which persist in suitable environments where incidental host transmission occurs after direct contact with infected urine or contaminated environments. Interestingly, serologically identical L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo strains JB197 and HB203 show divergent disease severity in the hamster model; JB197 causes severe acute infection while HB203 causes persistent chronic infection. Historically, serovar Hardjo was limited to culture at 29 °C, but utilization of HAN media allows propagation from host tissues at 37 °C. Here, the proteome of strains JB197 and HB203 were characterized after culture from experimentally challenged hamsters at 29 °C and 37 °C. Comparative analyses of JB197 and HB203 samples cultured at 29 °C yielded 425 significantly differentially expressed (DE) proteins, while strains at 37 °C yielded 613 DE proteins including prominent outer membrane proteins and known virulence factors. In agreement, membrane protein GO terms were identified by STRING network analyses along with numerous metabolic KEGG pathways consistent with condition differences. Within strain, JB197 cultured at 29 °C vs 37 °C identified 529 DE proteins, while HB203 identified 524 DE proteins. Investigating differential protein profiles provide insights into strain specific behaviors with implications for better understanding host-pathogen interactions, disease transmission, and response to environmental conditions which can contribute to vaccine development, diagnostic improvement, and ultimately leptospirosis control. SIGNIFICANCE: Leptospirosis is a devastating zoonotic disease affecting humans, wild and domestic animals around the globe. Different species and serovars of Leptospira can affect various animal host species differently; for instance, a serovar that is asymptomatic in the rat may cause severe disease in a dog or human. These differences in host response are not only found at the species and serovar level for Leptospira, but also at the strain level. A prime example comes from strains JB197 and HB203, both species L. borgpetersenii, both serovar Hardjo. Interestingly, JB197 causes a severe acute infection in the hamster while HB203 causes an asymptomatic chronic infection. Understanding these unique relationships between pathogen and host species is important, especially in the context of prevention technologies such as vaccine design, where the strain of Leptospira used as a bacterin might have different efficiencies in different hosts. In this study, proteomic profiles of strains JB197 and HB203 were analyzed, and results revealed diverse protein expression profiles of outer membrane proteins, as well as proteins functioning in motility and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie J Putz
- Infectious Bacterial Disease Research Unit, USDA Agriculture Research Service, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA, USA.
| | - Luis G V Fernandes
- Infectious Bacterial Disease Research Unit, USDA Agriculture Research Service, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Kaitlyn M Sarlo Davila
- Infectious Bacterial Disease Research Unit, USDA Agriculture Research Service, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Julian Whitelegge
- The Pasarow Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, NPI-Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - John D Lippolis
- Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit, USDA Agriculture Research Service, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Jarlath E Nally
- Infectious Bacterial Disease Research Unit, USDA Agriculture Research Service, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA, USA
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10
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Lynch MJ, Deshpande M, Kurniyati K, Zhang K, James M, Miller M, Zhang S, Passalia FJ, Wunder EA, Charon NW, Li C, Crane BR. Lysinoalanine cross-linking is a conserved post-translational modification in the spirochete flagellar hook. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad349. [PMID: 38047041 PMCID: PMC10691653 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Spirochetes cause Lyme disease, leptospirosis, syphilis, and several other human illnesses. Unlike other bacteria, spirochete flagella are enclosed within the periplasmic space where the filaments distort and push the cell body by the action of the flagellar motors. We previously demonstrated that the oral pathogen Treponema denticola (Td) and Lyme disease pathogen Borreliella burgdorferi (Bb) form covalent lysinoalanine (Lal) cross-links between conserved cysteine and lysine residues of the FlgE protein that composes the flagellar hook. In Td, Lal is unnecessary for hook assembly but is required for motility, presumably due to the stabilizing effect of the cross-link. Herein, we extend these findings to other, representative spirochete species across the phylum. We confirm the presence of Lal cross-linked peptides in recombinant and in vivo-derived samples from Treponema spp., Borreliella spp., Brachyspira spp., and Leptospira spp. As was observed with Td, a mutant strain of Bb unable to form the cross-link has greatly impaired motility. FlgE from Leptospira spp. does not conserve the Lal-forming cysteine residue which is instead substituted by serine. Nevertheless, Leptospira interrogans FlgE also forms Lal, with several different Lal isoforms being detected between Ser-179 and Lys-145, Lys-148, and Lys-166, thereby highlighting species or order-specific differences within the phylum. Our data reveal that the Lal cross-link is a conserved and necessary posttranslational modification across the spirochete phylum and may thus represent an effective target for the development of spirochete-specific antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Lynch
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Maithili Deshpande
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Kurni Kurniyati
- Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Milinda James
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Michael Miller
- Department of Biochemistry, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Institute of Biotechnology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Felipe J Passalia
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Elsio A Wunder
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Nyles W Charon
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Chunhao Li
- Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Brian R Crane
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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11
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Picardeau M. International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Leptospiraceae. Minutes of the closed meeting, 14 November 2022, Bangkok, Thailand. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2023; 73. [PMID: 37917541 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Picardeau
- Biology of Spirochetes Unit, Institut Pasteur,, 28 rue du Dr Roux, Paris, France
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12
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Dos Santos Ribeiro P, Carvalho NB, Aburjaile F, Sousa T, Veríssimo G, Gomes T, Neves F, Blanco L, Lima JA, de Oliveira D, Jaiswal AK, Brenig B, Soares S, Ramos R, Matiuzzi M, Góes-Neto A, Figueira CP, Costa F, Ristow P, Azevedo V. Environmental Biofilms from an Urban Community in Salvador, Brazil, Shelter Previously Uncharacterized Saprophytic Leptospira. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:2488-2501. [PMID: 37326636 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02253-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms are complex microecosystems with valuable ecological roles that can shelter a variety of microorganisms. Spirochetes from the genus Leptospira have been observed to form biofilms in vitro, in rural environments, and in the kidneys of reservoir rats. The genus Leptospira is composed of pathogenic and non-pathogenic species, and the description of new species is ongoing due to the advent of whole genome sequencing. Leptospires have increasingly been isolated from water and soil samples. To investigate the presence of Leptospira in environmental biofilms, we collected three distinct samples of biofilms formed in an urban setting with poor sanitation: Pau da Lima, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. All biofilm samples were negative for the presence of pathogenic leptospires via conventional PCR, but cultures containing saprophytic Leptospira were identified. Whole genomes were generated and analyzed for twenty isolates obtained from these biofilms. For species identification, we used digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis. The obtained isolates were classified into seven presumptive species from the saprophytic S1 clade. ANI and dDDH analysis suggest that three of those seven species were new. Classical phenotypic tests confirmed the novel isolated bacteria as saprophytic Leptospira. The isolates presented typical morphology and ultrastructure according to scanning electron microscopy and formed biofilms under in vitro conditions. Our data indicate that a diversity of saprophytic Leptospira species survive in the Brazilian poorly sanitized urban environment, in a biofilm lifestyle. We believe our results contribute to a better understanding of Leptospira biology and ecology, considering biofilms as natural environmental reservoirs for leptospires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscyla Dos Santos Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Health, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies in Ecology and Evolution (INCT IN-TREE), Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Natália Barbosa Carvalho
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Health, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies in Ecology and Evolution (INCT IN-TREE), Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Flávia Aburjaile
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago Sousa
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Graciete Veríssimo
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Health, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Talita Gomes
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Health, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies in Ecology and Evolution (INCT IN-TREE), Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Fábio Neves
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Luiza Blanco
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Health, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - João Antonio Lima
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Health, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Daiana de Oliveira
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Arun Kumar Jaiswal
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bertram Brenig
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Burckhardt Weg, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Siomar Soares
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rommel Ramos
- Center of Genomics and Systems Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Mateus Matiuzzi
- Federal University of Vale Do São Francisco, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Aristóteles Góes-Neto
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Federico Costa
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA
- Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK
| | - Paula Ristow
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Health, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies in Ecology and Evolution (INCT IN-TREE), Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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13
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Zheng X, He P, Zhong R, Chen G, Xia J, Li C. Weil's Disease in an HIV-Infected Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3218. [PMID: 37892039 PMCID: PMC10606346 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13203218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Weil's disease, an icterohemorrhagic infection, is the most severe and fatal form of leptospirosis and is characterized by jaundice, renal dysfunction, and hemorrhagic predisposition. Weil's disease with HIV infection has rarely been reported. A 68-year-old male with HIV infection presented to our hospital with fever and dyspnea that progressed to severe hemoptysis and systemic multiple organ failure, necessitating a tracheal intubation ventilator. A diagnosis of Weil's disease was made after Leptospira interrogans was identified via metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). After immediately receiving supportive therapy and targeted antimicrobial agents, the patient achieved complete recovery upon discharge. The co-infection of HIV infection and leptospirosis resulting in systemic multi-organ failure is rare, but awareness should be raised of the differential diagnosis. mNGS can help identify pathogens and facilitate the use of targeted and efficacious antimicrobial therapy in unusual clinical environments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jinyu Xia
- Infectious Disease Prevention and Treatment Center, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China; (X.Z.); (P.H.); (R.Z.); (G.C.)
| | - Chunna Li
- Infectious Disease Prevention and Treatment Center, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China; (X.Z.); (P.H.); (R.Z.); (G.C.)
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14
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Fernandes LGV, Teixeira AF, Nascimento ALTO. Evaluation of Leptospira interrogans knockdown mutants for LipL32, LipL41, LipL21, and OmpL1 proteins. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1199660. [PMID: 37426019 PMCID: PMC10326724 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1199660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by pathogenic and virulent species of the genus Leptospira, whose pathophysiology and virulence factors remain widely unexplored. Recently, the application of CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) has allowed the specific and rapid gene silencing of major leptospiral proteins, favoring the elucidation of their role in bacterial basic biology, host-pathogen interaction and virulence. Episomally expressed dead Cas9 from the Streptococcus pyogenes CRISPR/Cas system (dCas9) and single-guide RNA recognize and block transcription of the target gene by base pairing, dictated by the sequence contained in the 5' 20-nt sequence of the sgRNA. Methods In this work, we tailored plasmids for silencing the major proteins of L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni strain Fiocruz L1-130, namely LipL32, LipL41, LipL21 and OmpL1. Double- and triple-gene silencing by in tandem sgRNA cassettes were also achieved, despite plasmid instability. Results OmpL1 silencing resulted in a lethal phenotype, in both L. interrogans and saprophyte L. biflexa, suggesting its essential role in leptospiral biology. Mutants were confirmed and evaluated regarding interaction with host molecules, including extracellular matrix (ECM) and plasma components, and despite the dominant abundance of the studied proteins in the leptospiral membrane, protein silencing mostly resulted in unaltered interactions, either because they intrinsically display low affinity to the molecules assayed or by a compensation mechanism, where other proteins could be upregulated to fill the niche left by protein silencing, a feature previously described for the LipL32 mutant. Evaluation of the mutants in the hamster model confirms the augmented virulence of the LipL32 mutant, as hinted previously. The essential role of LipL21 in acute disease was demonstrated, since the LipL21 knockdown mutants were avirulent in the animal model, and even though mutants could still colonize the kidneys, they were found in markedly lower numbers in the animals' liver. Taking advantage of higher bacterial burden in LipL32 mutant-infected organs, protein silencing was demonstrated in vivo directly in leptospires present in organ homogenates. Discussion CRISPRi is now a well-established, attractive genetic tool that can be applied for exploring leptospiral virulence factors, leading to the rational for designing more effective subunit or even chimeric recombinant vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis G. V. Fernandes
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline F. Teixeira
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana L. T. O. Nascimento
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, São Paulo, Brazil
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15
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Lynch MJ, Deshpande M, Kyrniyati K, Zhang K, James M, Miller M, Zhang S, Passalia FJ, Wunder EA, Charon NW, Li C, Crane BR. Lysinoalanine crosslinking is a conserved post-translational modification in the spirochete flagellar hook. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.13.544825. [PMID: 37398457 PMCID: PMC10312707 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.13.544825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Spirochete bacteria cause Lyme disease, leptospirosis, syphilis and several other human illnesses. Unlike other bacteria, spirochete flagella are enclosed within the periplasmic space where the filaments distort and push the cell body by action of the flagellar motors. We previously demonstrated that the oral pathogen Treponema denticola (Td) catalyzes the formation of covalent lysinoalanine (Lal) crosslinks between conserved cysteine and lysine residues of the FlgE protein that composes the flagellar hook. Although not necessary for hook assembly, Lal is required for motility of Td, presumably due to the stabilizing effect of the crosslink. Herein, we extend these findings to other, representative spirochete species across the phylum. We confirm the presence of Lal crosslinked peptides in recombinant and in vivo -derived samples from Treponema spp., Borreliella spp., Brachyspira spp., and Leptospira spp.. Like with Td, a mutant strain of the Lyme disease pathogen Borreliella burgdorferi unable to form the crosslink has impaired motility. FlgE from Leptospira spp. does not conserve the Lal-forming cysteine residue which is instead substituted by serine. Nevertheless, Leptospira interrogans also forms Lal, with several different Lal isoforms being detected between Ser-179 and Lys-145, Lys-148, and Lys-166, thereby highlighting species or order-specific differences within the phylum. Our data reveals that the Lal crosslink is a conserved and necessary post-translational modification across the spirochete phylum and may thus represent an effective target for spirochete-specific antimicrobials. Significance Statement The phylum Spirochaetota contains bacterial pathogens responsible for a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, syphilis, periodontal disease, and leptospirosis. Motility of these pathogens is a major virulence factor that contributes to infectivity and host colonization. The oral pathogen Treponema denticola produces a post-translational modification (PTM) in the form of a lysinoalanine (Lal) crosslink between neighboring subunits of the flagellar hook protein FlgE. Herein, we demonstrate that representative spirochetes species across the phylum all form Lal in their flagellar hooks. T. denticola and B. burgdorferi cells incapable of forming the crosslink are non-motile, thereby establishing the general role of the Lal PTM in the unusual type of flagellar motility evolved by spirochetes.
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16
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Stone NE, McDonough RF, Hamond C, LeCount K, Busch JD, Dirsmith KL, Rivera-Garcia S, Soltero F, Arnold LM, Weiner Z, Galloway RL, Schlater LK, Nally JE, Sahl JW, Wagner DM. DNA Capture and Enrichment: A Culture-Independent Approach for Characterizing the Genomic Diversity of Pathogenic Leptospira Species. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1282. [PMID: 37317256 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Because they are difficult to culture, obtaining genomic information from Leptospira spp. is challenging, hindering the overall understanding of leptospirosis. We designed and validated a culture-independent DNA capture and enrichment system for obtaining Leptospira genomic information from complex human and animal samples. It can be utilized with a variety of complex sample types and diverse species as it was designed using the pan-genome of all known pathogenic Leptospira spp. This system significantly increases the proportion of Leptospira DNA contained within DNA extracts obtained from complex samples, oftentimes reaching >95% even when some estimated starting proportions were <1%. Sequencing enriched extracts results in genomic coverage similar to sequenced isolates, thereby enabling enriched complex extracts to be analyzed together with whole genome sequences from isolates, which facilitates robust species identification and high-resolution genotyping. The system is flexible and can be readily updated when new genomic information becomes available. Implementation of this DNA capture and enrichment system will improve efforts to obtain genomic data from unculturable Leptospira-positive human and animal samples. This, in turn, will lead to a better understanding of the overall genomic diversity and gene content of Leptospira spp. that cause leptospirosis, aiding epidemiology and the development of improved diagnostics and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan E Stone
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Ryelan F McDonough
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Camila Hamond
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Karen LeCount
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Joseph D Busch
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Katherine L Dirsmith
- Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, San Juan, PR 00918, USA
| | - Sarai Rivera-Garcia
- Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, San Juan, PR 00918, USA
| | - Fred Soltero
- Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, San Juan, PR 00918, USA
| | - Laura M Arnold
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40511, USA
| | - Zachary Weiner
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Renee L Galloway
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Linda K Schlater
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Jarlath E Nally
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Jason W Sahl
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - David M Wagner
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
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17
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LeCount K, Fox K, Anderson T, Bayles DO, Stuber T, Hicks J, Schlater LK, Nally JE. Isolation of Leptospira kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa from a red panda ( Ailurus fulgens) after antimicrobial therapy: Case report. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1064147. [PMID: 36819120 PMCID: PMC9932277 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1064147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A 1-year-old female red panda started showing symptoms of illness, including lethargy, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, and vomiting, shortly after transfer to a new zoo. Serum was tested for leptospirosis using the microscopic agglutination test, and a titer of 1:25,600 to serogroup Grippotyphosa was detected. Antimicrobial treatment with doxycycline was initiated. After completion of treatment and resolution of clinical symptoms, a urine sample was collected to ensure clearance of leptospires and cessation of urinary shedding prior to co-housing with other red pandas. A repeat serum sample taken 13 days later had a lower titer of 1:6,400 to serogroup Grippotyphosa. A sample of the animal's urine was cultured in HAN media and was culture positive for Leptospira. The recovered isolate was completely characterized by whole genome sequencing and serotyping with reference antisera, and the isolate was classified as Leptospira kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa serovar Grippotyphosa strain RedPanda1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen LeCount
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States,National Center for Animal Health (NCAH) Leptospira Working Group, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Kami Fox
- Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Fort Wayne, IN, United States
| | - Tammy Anderson
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States,National Center for Animal Health (NCAH) Leptospira Working Group, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Darrell O. Bayles
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Tod Stuber
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jessica Hicks
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Linda K. Schlater
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States,National Center for Animal Health (NCAH) Leptospira Working Group, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jarlath E. Nally
- National Center for Animal Health (NCAH) Leptospira Working Group, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States,Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States,*Correspondence: Jarlath E. Nally ✉
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18
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Hamond C, Dirsmith KL, LeCount K, Soltero FV, Rivera-Garcia S, Camp P, Anderson T, Hicks JA, Galloway R, Sutherland G, Schafer IJ, Goris MGA, van der Linden H, Stuber T, Bayles DO, Schlater LK, Nally JE. Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo and Leptospira santarosai serogroup Pyrogenes isolated from bovine dairy herds in Puerto Rico. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1025282. [PMID: 36467637 PMCID: PMC9712998 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1025282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world and endemic in the Caribbean Islands. Bovine leptospirosis is an important reproductive disease. Globally, cattle are recognized as a reservoir host for L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo, which is transmitted via urine, semen, and uterine discharges, and can result in abortion and poor reproductive performance. The dairy industry in Puerto Rico comprises up to 25% of agriculture-related income and is historically the most financially important agricultural commodity on the island. In this study, we report the isolation of two different pathogenic Leptospira species, from two different serogroups, from urine samples collected from dairy cows in Puerto Rico: L. borgpetersenii serogroup Sejroe serovar Hardjo and L. santarosai serogroup Pyrogenes. Recovered isolates were classified using whole-genome sequencing, serotyping with reference antisera and monoclonal antibodies, and immunoblotting. These results demonstrate that dairy herds in Puerto Rico can be concurrently infected with more than one species and serovar of Leptospira, and that bacterin vaccines and serologic diagnostics should account for this when applying intervention and diagnostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Hamond
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Center for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Katherine L. Dirsmith
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services Field Operations, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Karen LeCount
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Center for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Fred V. Soltero
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services Field Operations, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Sarai Rivera-Garcia
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services Field Operations, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Patrick Camp
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Tammy Anderson
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Center for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jessica A. Hicks
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Renee Galloway
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Graham Sutherland
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ilana J. Schafer
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Marga G. A. Goris
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, World Organisation for Animal Health and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hans van der Linden
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, World Organisation for Animal Health and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tod Stuber
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Darrell O. Bayles
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Linda K. Schlater
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- National Center for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jarlath E. Nally
- National Center for Animal Health Leptospira Working Group, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States
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