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Krishnan BK, Balasubramanian G, Kumar PP. Leptospirosis in India: insights on circulating serovars, research lacunae and proposed strategies to control through one health approach. ONE HEALTH OUTLOOK 2024; 6:11. [PMID: 38849946 PMCID: PMC11161969 DOI: 10.1186/s42522-024-00098-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is one of the most neglected zoonotic infections of public health concern worldwide and a remerging infection in tropical countries such as India. The infection least explored disease and the epidemiological and other critical data are scarce for the disease rate reported and to control the infection. Leptospirosis as sapronosis is as underrated as the infection itself, and this article aims to explore the significance of this aspect of the disease. The research review aimed at the epidemiological understanding of the infection to control the negative impact of the disease. A mixed review and analysis were carried out to understand the knowledge published on the critical and understudied areas like epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and control of infection. A systematic analysis was carried out to extract information about the reported circulating strains, and research lacunae in India with the published data available in PubMed. The article elaborately discusses crucial inference areas of infection transmission and addresses lacunae in critically unacclaimed areas of infection to control the spread of infection using one health approach (OHA), and strategies to control leptospiral infection are proposed. The article also reviewed how and why Leptospirosis can be best studied and controlled by "One health approach" in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baby Karpagam Krishnan
- Department of Health Research (D.H.R.), ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, R-127, 2Nd Main Road, T.N.H.B. Layout, Ayapakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 077, India.
| | - Ganesh Balasubramanian
- Department of Health Research (D.H.R.), ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, R-127, 2Nd Main Road, T.N.H.B. Layout, Ayapakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 077, India
| | - Pesingi Pavan Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Banaras Hindu University, Mirzapur, UP, 231001, India
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Izquierdo-Rodríguez E, Fernández-Álvarez Á, Martín-Carrillo N, Marchand B, Feliu C, Miquel J, Foronda P, Quilichini Y. Pathogenic Leptospira species in rodents from Corsica (France). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233776. [PMID: 32502160 PMCID: PMC7274395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide emerging zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira species, that in some patients develop severe forms with high mortality. In France, Corsica is the area where the highest incidences have been reported. The present study was focused on the analysis of pathogenic Leptospira species in rodents of Corsica, as these micromammals are the main natural reservoirs of the bacteria, in order to identify the circulating species and to locate possible risk focuses of transmission, as no previous study on the presence of Leptospira species has been carried out in the island. Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus, Apodemus sylvaticus and Mus musculus domesticus were captured in the proximity of water sources along Corsica, the detection of pathogenic Leptospira species was carried out by amplification of the LipL32 gene. The bacteria were found in all the rodent species analyzed and widely. The general prevalence was 10.4%, reaching the maximum value in Bastia (45%). Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira borgpetersenii were identified by phylogenetic analysis, but also two sequences which corresponded to an unnamed Leptospira species, only previously found in rodents of New Caledonia. The high incidence of human leptospirosis in Corsica could be partially explained by the wide distribution of pathogenic Leptospira species identified in this study. Also, the presence of an unknown pathogenic species of Leptospira in an area with high prevalence, may be involved in the higher incidence of Leptospirosis in this island, however, the zoonotic capacity of this species remains unknown. The results obtained are interesting for public health since all positive samples were found near water sources and one of the routes of transmission of leptospirosis is contact with contaminated water. This information could help the competent entities to take preventive measures, reducing the incidence of human leptospirosis in Corsica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Izquierdo-Rodríguez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain.,Department Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Ángela Fernández-Álvarez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain.,UMR SPE 6134, CNRS-Université de Corse, Projet GEM, 20250 Corte, France
| | - Natalia Martín-Carrillo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain.,Department Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Bernard Marchand
- UMR SPE 6134, CNRS-Université de Corse, Projet GEM, 20250 Corte, France
| | - Carlos Feliu
- Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Secció de Parasitologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,IRBio, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Miquel
- Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Secció de Parasitologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,IRBio, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Foronda
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain.,Department Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Yann Quilichini
- UMR SPE 6134, CNRS-Université de Corse, Projet GEM, 20250 Corte, France
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Boey K, Shiokawa K, Rajeev S. Leptospira infection in rats: A literature review of global prevalence and distribution. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007499. [PMID: 31398190 PMCID: PMC6688788 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The role of rodents in Leptospira epidemiology and transmission is well known worldwide. Rats are known to carry different pathogenic serovars of Leptospira spp. capable of causing disease in humans and animals. Wild rats (Rattus spp.), especially the Norway/brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (R. rattus), are the most important sources of Leptospira infection, as they are abundant in urban and peridomestic environments. In this study, we compiled and summarized available data in the literature on global prevalence of Leptospira exposure and infection in rats, as well as compared the global distribution of Leptospira spp. in rats with respect to prevalence, geographic location, method of detection, diversity of serogroups/serovars, and species of rat. Methods We conducted a thorough literature search using PubMed without restrictions on publication date as well as Google Scholar to manually search for other relevant articles. Abstracts were included if they described data pertaining to Leptospira spp. in rats (Rattus spp.) from any geographic region around the world, including reviews. The data extracted from the articles selected included the author(s), year of publication, geographic location, method(s) of detection used, species of rat(s), sample size, prevalence of Leptospira spp. (overall and within each rat species), and information on species, serogroups, and/or serovars of Leptospira spp. detected. Findings A thorough search on PubMed retrieved 303 titles. After screening the articles for duplicates and inclusion/exclusion criteria, as well as manual inclusion of relevant articles, 145 articles were included in this review. Leptospira prevalence in rats varied considerably based on geographic location, with some reporting zero prevalence in countries such as Madagascar, Tanzania, and the Faroe Islands, and others reporting as high as >80% prevalence in studies done in Brazil, India, and the Philippines. The top five countries that were reported based on number of articles include India (n = 13), Malaysia (n = 9), Brazil (n = 8), Thailand (n = 7), and France (n = 6). Methods of detecting or isolating Leptospira spp. also varied among studies. Studies among different Rattus species reported a higher Leptospira prevalence in R. norvegicus. The serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae was the most prevalent serovar reported in Rattus spp. worldwide. Additionally, this literature review provided evidence for Leptospira infection in laboratory rodent colonies within controlled environments, implicating the zoonotic potential to laboratory animal caretakers. Conclusions Reports on global distribution of Leptospira infection in rats varies widely, with considerably high prevalence reported in many countries. This literature review emphasizes the need for enhanced surveillance programs using standardized methods for assessing Leptospira exposure or infection in rats. This review also demonstrated several weaknesses to the current methods of reporting the prevalence of Leptospira spp. in rats worldwide. As such, this necessitates a call for standardized protocols for the testing and reporting of such studies, especially pertaining to the diagnostic methods used. A deeper understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of Leptospira spp. in rats in urban environments is warranted. It is also pertinent for rat control programs to be proposed in conjunction with increased efforts for public awareness and education regarding leptospirosis transmission and prevention. The role of rodents in the transmission of many diseases, including leptospirosis, is widely known. Rats abundant in urban and peridomestic environments are the most important reservoirs and sources of Leptospira infection in humans and animals. Leptospirosis is a significant but neglected disease of humans and animals that is increasing in incidence in regions affected by natural disasters. This paper summarizes the global prevalence and distribution of Leptospira infection in rats and will add to the literature that supports research, education, and public awareness regarding leptospirosis transmission and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Boey
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Kanae Shiokawa
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
- * E-mail:
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Gomes DO, Ramos GB, Alves VBA, Ciuffa AZ, Cuccato LP, Dos Reis TFM, Lima AMC, Gonçalves MC, Tolesano GV, Rodrigues VS, Szabó MPJ. Occurrence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in Rhipidomys spp. from a forest fragment of the Brazilian Cerrado. Trop Anim Health Prod 2017; 49:555-559. [PMID: 28124730 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-017-1227-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of world importance, and its transmission depends on the interaction between humans and animals. Given the necessity to investigate potential hosts of Leptospira spp., this study verified the prevalence of different serovars in the species of Rhipidomys spp., a widespread sigmodont rodent in Brazil. The studied population originates from a semi-evergreen forest located in the county of Uberlândia, in the state of Minas Gerais. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was performed with 14 serovars. Thirteen out of the 43 wild rodents captured showed a positive agglutination reaction, with a greater prevalence of the serovars Pyrogenes, Copenhageni, and Canicola. This study found a prevalence of 30.3% anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies; all positive animals were reactive to more than one serovar.
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Affiliation(s)
- D O Gomes
- Laboratório de Doenças Infectocontagiosas, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Ceará, Bloco 2D, Segundo andar, Sala 33, 38.405-315, Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - G B Ramos
- Laboratório de Doenças Infectocontagiosas, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Ceará, Bloco 2D, Segundo andar, Sala 33, 38.405-315, Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - V B A Alves
- Laboratório de Doenças Infectocontagiosas, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Ceará, Bloco 2D, Segundo andar, Sala 33, 38.405-315, Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - A Z Ciuffa
- Laboratório de Doenças Infectocontagiosas, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Ceará, Bloco 2D, Segundo andar, Sala 33, 38.405-315, Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - L P Cuccato
- Laboratório de Doenças Infectocontagiosas, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Ceará, Bloco 2D, Segundo andar, Sala 33, 38.405-315, Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - T F M Dos Reis
- Laboratório de Doenças Infectocontagiosas, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Ceará, Bloco 2D, Segundo andar, Sala 33, 38.405-315, Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - A M C Lima
- Laboratório de Doenças Infectocontagiosas, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Ceará, Bloco 2D, Segundo andar, Sala 33, 38.405-315, Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - M C Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Ceará, Bloco 2D, Segundo andar, Sala 33, 38.405-315, Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - G V Tolesano
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Ceará, Bloco 2D, Segundo andar, Sala 33, 38.405-315, Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - V S Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Ceará, Bloco 2D, Segundo andar, Sala 33, 38.405-315, Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - M P J Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Ceará, Bloco 2D, Segundo andar, Sala 33, 38.405-315, Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Epidemiology of leptospira transmitted by rodents in southeast Asia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2902. [PMID: 24901706 PMCID: PMC4046967 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis is the most common bacterial zoonoses and has been identified as an important emerging global public health problem in Southeast Asia. Rodents are important reservoirs for human leptospirosis, but epidemiological data is lacking. Methodology/Principal Findings We sampled rodents living in different habitats from seven localities distributed across Southeast Asia (Thailand, Lao PDR and Cambodia), between 2009 to 2010. Human isolates were also obtained from localities close to where rodents were sampled. The prevalence of Leptospira infection was assessed by real-time PCR using DNA extracted from rodent kidneys, targeting the lipL32 gene. Sequencing rrs and secY genes, and Multi Locus Variable-number Tandem Repeat (VNTR) analyses were performed on DNA extracted from rat kidneys for Leptospira isolates molecular typing. Four species were detected in rodents, L. borgpetersenii (56% of positive samples), L. interrogans (36%), L. kirschneri (3%) and L. weilli (2%), which were identical to human isolates. Mean prevalence in rodents was approximately 7%, and largely varied across localities and habitats, but not between rodent species. The two most abundant Leptospira species displayed different habitat requirements: L. interrogans was linked to humid habitats (rice fields and forests) while L. borgpetersenii was abundant in both humid and dry habitats (non-floodable lands). Conclusion/Significance L. interrogans and L. borgpetersenii species are widely distributed amongst rodent populations, and strain typing confirmed rodents as reservoirs for human leptospirosis. Differences in habitat requirements for L. interrogans and L. borgpetersenii supported differential transmission modes. In Southeast Asia, human infection risk is not only restricted to activities taking place in wetlands and rice fields as is commonly accepted, but should also include tasks such as forestry work, as well as the hunting and preparation of rodents for consumption, which deserve more attention in future epidemiological studies. Leptospirosis is the most prevalent bacterial zoonosis worldwide. Rodents are believed to be the main reservoirs of Leptospira, yet little epidemiological research has been conducted on rodents from Southeast Asia. Previous studies suggest that activities which place humans in microenvironments shared by rodents increase the probability of contracting leptospirosis. We therefore investigated the circulation of leptospiral species and strains in rodent communities and human populations in seven localities scattered throughout Southeast Asia; in Thailand, Lao PDR and Cambodia. Molecular typing assays were used to characterize leptospiral species and strains in both rodents and humans, which demonstrated common strains between humans and rodents. Additionally, we observed that the two most abundant leptospiral species; L. borgpetersenii and L. interrogans, have different habitat requirements, which supposes different modes of transmission. Lastly, in Southeast Asia, the risk of leptospiral transmission to humans is not solely limited to wetlands and rice paddy fields, but is also linked to forested areas, and activities such as the hunting and/or preparation of rodents for consumption.
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Loffler SG, Pavan ME, Vanasco B, Samartino L, Suarez O, Auteri C, Romero G, Brihuega B. Genotypes of pathogenic Leptospira spp isolated from rodents in Argentina. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2014; 109:163-7. [PMID: 24676656 PMCID: PMC4015264 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276140295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis in the world and significant efforts
have been made to determine and classify pathogenic Leptospira
strains. This zoonosis is maintained in nature through chronic renal
infections of carrier animals, with rodents and other small mammals serving as the
most important reservoirs. Additionally, domestic animals, such as livestock and
dogs, are significant sources of human infection. In this study, a
multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) was
applied to genotype 22 pathogenic Leptospira strains isolated from
urban and periurban rodent populations from different regions of Argentina. Three
MLVA profiles were identified in strains belonging to the species Leptospira
interrogans (serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola); one profile was
observed in serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae and two MLVA profiles were observed in
isolates of serovars Canicola and Portlandvere. All strains belonging to
Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Castellonis exhibited the same
MLVA profile. Four different genotypes were isolated from urban populations of
rodents, including both mice and rats and two different genotypes were isolated from
periurban populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Grune Loffler
- Laboratorio de Leptospirosis, Instituto de Patobiología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Elisa Pavan
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Biochemiq SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bibiana Vanasco
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Dr E Coni, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud Dr Carlos G Malbrán, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Luis Samartino
- Laboratorio de Leptospirosis, Instituto de Patobiología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Olga Suarez
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carmelo Auteri
- Laboratorio de Leptospirosis, Instituto de Patobiología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Graciela Romero
- Laboratorio de Leptospirosis, Instituto de Patobiología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bibiana Brihuega
- Laboratorio de Leptospirosis, Instituto de Patobiología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Khodaverdi Darian E, Forghanifard MM, Moradi Bidhendi S, Chang YF, Yahaghi E, Esmaelizad M, Khaleghizadeh M, Khaki P. Cloning and Sequence Analysis of LipL32, a Surface-Exposed Lipoprotein of Pathogenic Leptospira Spp. IRANIAN RED CRESCENT MEDICAL JOURNAL 2013; 15:e8793. [PMID: 24719688 PMCID: PMC3971780 DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.8793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2012] [Revised: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira species. A major challenge of this disease is the application of basic research to improve diagnostic methods and related vaccine development. Outer membrane proteins of Leptospira are potential candidates that may be useful as diagnostic or immunogenic factors in treatment and analysis of the disease. OBJECTIVES To develop an effective subunit vaccine against prevalent pathogenic Leptospira species, we sequenced and analyzed the LipL32 gene from three different Leptospira interrogans (L.interrogans) vaccinal serovars in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS Following DNA extraction from these three serovars, the related LipL32 genes were amplified and cloned in the pTZ57R/T vector. Recombinant clones were confirmed by colony- PCR and DNA sequencing. The related sequences were subjected to homology analysis by comparing them to sequences in the Genbank database. RESULTS The LipL32 sequences were >94% homologous among the vaccinal and other pathogenic Leptospira serovars in GenBank. This result indicates the conservation of this gene within the pathogenic Leptospires. CONCLUSIONS The cloned gene in this study may provide a potentially suitable platform for development of a variety of applications such as serological diagnostic tests or recombinant vaccines against leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yung-Fu Chang
- Department of Population, Medicine and Diagnostic sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA
| | - Emad Yahaghi
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Majid Esmaelizad
- Department of Biotechnology, Razi Vaccin and Serum Resaerch Institute, Karaj, IR Iran
| | - Maryam Khaleghizadeh
- Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, IR Iran
| | - Pejvak Khaki
- Department of Microbiology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, IR Iran
- Corresponding Author: Pejvak Khaki, Department of Microbiology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, IR Iran. Tel/fax: + 98-2634570038, E-mail:
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Benacer D, Mohd Zain SN, Amran F, Galloway RL, Thong KL. Isolation and molecular characterization of Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira borgpetersenii isolates from the urban rat populations of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2013; 88:704-9. [PMID: 23358635 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Rats are considered the principal maintenance hosts of Leptospira. The objectives of this study were isolation and identification of Leptospira serovars circulating among urban rat populations in Kuala Lumpur. Three hundred urban rats (73% Rattus rattus and 27% R. norvegicus) from three different sites were trapped. Twenty cultures were positive for Leptospira using dark-field microscopy. R. rattus was the dominant carrier (70%). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed that all isolates were pathogenic Leptospira species. Two Leptospira serogroups, Javanica and Bataviae, were identified using microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) identified two serovars in the urban rat populations: L. borgpetersenii serovar Javanica (85%) and L. interrogans serovar Bataviae (15%). We conclude that these two serovars are the major serovars circulating among the urban rat populations in Kuala Lumpur. Despite the low infection rate reported, the high pathogenicity of these serovars raises concern of public health risks caused by rodent transmission of leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douadi Benacer
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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