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Freitas RS, Rocha KDS, Monteiro LH, Alexandre TF, Monteiro TRM, Honorio BET, Gripp MC, Guimarães CDDO, Palha MDDC, Gonçalves TDS, Scofield A, de Moraes CCG. Detection of Pathogenic Leptospira in Captive Chelonians ( Kinosternon scorpioides-Linnaeus, 1766) in the Brazilian Amazon. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1334. [PMID: 38731336 PMCID: PMC11083978 DOI: 10.3390/ani14091334] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of great importance for One Health. In this context, the Amazonian biome may harbor numerous hosts for Leptospira spp. that contribute to the maintenance of the pathogen in the environment. Some reptiles, such as chelonians, have been little studied in terms of their involvement with leptospires. The objective of this study was to detect Leptospira spp. DNA in Kinosternon scorpioides turtles kept in captivity in a region of the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 147 samples of blood (n = 40), cloacal fluid (n = 27), cloacal lavage (n = 40), and stomach (n = 40) were collected from 40 chelonians. After DNA extraction, the samples were subjected to amplification of a 331 base pair product of the 16S rRNA gene using the Lep1 and Lep2 primers. PCR products were Sanger sequenced, assembled, and subjected to online blast search and phylogenetic analysis. Of the animals tested, 40% (16/40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 25-55) had at least one or two samples positive for Leptospira spp. Considering the total number of samples collected, 12.93% (19/147) were positive, being blood clots (27.5%; 11/40), followed by cloacal washings (10%; 4/40), cloacal fluid (11.11%; 3/27) and gastric washings (2.5%; 1/40). Of these, 11 samples were sequenced and showed 99% to 100% identity with Leptospira interrogans sequences, which was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. This is the first study to detect pathogenic Leptospira DNA in chelonians in a region of the Brazilian Amazon. It has been concluded that K. scorpioides turtles in captivity have been exposed to pathogenic Leptospira.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Souza Freitas
- Laboratory of Zoonoses and Public Health (LZSP), Graduate Program in Animal Health in the Amazon, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Castanhal 68743-970, PA, Brazil; (K.d.S.R.); (L.H.M.); (T.F.A.); (T.R.M.M.); (B.E.T.H.)
| | - Katarine de Souza Rocha
- Laboratory of Zoonoses and Public Health (LZSP), Graduate Program in Animal Health in the Amazon, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Castanhal 68743-970, PA, Brazil; (K.d.S.R.); (L.H.M.); (T.F.A.); (T.R.M.M.); (B.E.T.H.)
| | - Louysse Helene Monteiro
- Laboratory of Zoonoses and Public Health (LZSP), Graduate Program in Animal Health in the Amazon, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Castanhal 68743-970, PA, Brazil; (K.d.S.R.); (L.H.M.); (T.F.A.); (T.R.M.M.); (B.E.T.H.)
| | - Thais Fernandes Alexandre
- Laboratory of Zoonoses and Public Health (LZSP), Graduate Program in Animal Health in the Amazon, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Castanhal 68743-970, PA, Brazil; (K.d.S.R.); (L.H.M.); (T.F.A.); (T.R.M.M.); (B.E.T.H.)
| | - Thamillys Rayssa Marques Monteiro
- Laboratory of Zoonoses and Public Health (LZSP), Graduate Program in Animal Health in the Amazon, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Castanhal 68743-970, PA, Brazil; (K.d.S.R.); (L.H.M.); (T.F.A.); (T.R.M.M.); (B.E.T.H.)
| | - Betsy Emely Tavares Honorio
- Laboratory of Zoonoses and Public Health (LZSP), Graduate Program in Animal Health in the Amazon, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Castanhal 68743-970, PA, Brazil; (K.d.S.R.); (L.H.M.); (T.F.A.); (T.R.M.M.); (B.E.T.H.)
| | - Mayra Coelho Gripp
- Laboratory of Zoonoses and Public Health (LZSP), Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Castanhal 68743-970, PA, Brazil;
| | | | - Maria das Dores Correia Palha
- Socio-Environmental and Water Resources Institute, Federal Rural University of the Amazon, Belém 66077-830, PA, Brazil; (C.D.d.O.G.); (M.d.D.C.P.)
| | - Thamirys de Souza Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Animal Health, Graduate Program in Animal Health in the Amazon, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Castanhal 68743-970, PA, Brazil; (T.d.S.G.); (A.S.); (C.C.G.d.M.)
| | - Alessandra Scofield
- Laboratory of Animal Health, Graduate Program in Animal Health in the Amazon, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Castanhal 68743-970, PA, Brazil; (T.d.S.G.); (A.S.); (C.C.G.d.M.)
| | - Carla Cristina Guimarães de Moraes
- Laboratory of Animal Health, Graduate Program in Animal Health in the Amazon, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Castanhal 68743-970, PA, Brazil; (T.d.S.G.); (A.S.); (C.C.G.d.M.)
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Non-Native Turtles (Chelydridae) in Freshwater Ecosystems in Italy: A Threat to Biodiversity and Human Health? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162057. [PMID: 36009647 PMCID: PMC9404766 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Marketed globally, freshwater turtles are popular pets. Two species of the Chelydridae family are increasingly reported in Italy: the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). Both pose potential threats to public safety and habitat biodiversity. This update reports on their distribution and impact on biodiversity and human health. The recent increase in the number of C. serpentina in urban and rural areas suggests illegal importation into the country. Findings are reported for the north (35% and 100% for C. serpentina and M. temminckii, respectively) and the central-northern regions (60% for C. serpentina), predominantly Umbria and Latium, and the Tiber River catchment area in particular. Because omnivorous, Chelydridae species can affect native biodiversity; because they are carriers of pathogens, they endanger public health. Monitoring plans need to take account of this neglected threat.
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Saechan V, Tongthainan D, Fungfuang W, Tulayakul P, Ieamsaard G, Ngasaman R. Natural infection of leptospirosis and melioidosis in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Thailand. J Vet Med Sci 2022; 84:700-706. [PMID: 35387956 PMCID: PMC9177388 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the incidence of leptospirosis and melioidosis in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Thailand. Serum samples from 223 monkeys were subjected to the Lepto Latex Test and indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test to detect antibodies against Leptospira spp. and Burkholderia pseudomallei. The microagglutination test (MAT) was used to identify serovars of Leptospira spp. Conventional PCR for the LipL32 gene of L. interogans and the BPSS0120 and btfc-orf18 genes of B. pseudomallei was used for molecular detection. The overall seroprevalence of leptospirosis and melioidosis was 2.69% (95% CI: 0.99-5.76%) and 14.35% (95% CI: 10.03-19.65%), respectively. Six samples that showed positive MAT results were also positive for IHA. The serovars of Leptospira were Ranarum (5/6), Shermani (6/6), and both (5/6). Conventional PCR for the LipL32 gene of Leptospira spp. was positive in 10.31% of the samples (95% CI: 5.56-13.51%). However, there were no positive results for BPSS0120 and btfc-orf18 in B. pseudomallei. Active infection was detected only for leptospirosis; however, it can be assumed that pathogen exposure occurred in this group of animals because immunity could be detected. The routes of infection and elimination pathways of both bacteria remain unclear, and the mechanism of protection in non-human primates needs to be elucidated in further studies. Moreover, this health issue should be considered to prevent human infections in monkeys and their environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daraka Tongthainan
- Bio-Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University
| | | | - Phitsanu Tulayakul
- Department of Veterinary Public Heath, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University
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