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PubMed1992

Immunodominant antigens recognized by the human immune response to infection by organisms of the species Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis.

Serum samples from patients infected by organisms of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis were tested by Western blot to determine the nature of major antigens that are involved in the immune response. Although there was some patient-to-patient variability, immunodominant genus-specific antigens were found to be proteins of apparent molecular ratio 68, 46 and 35-kDa, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sub-units in the 35-14-kDa region. Serogroup epitopes specific for Australis were exclusively saccharides of about 32 and 24 kDa: a serovar-specific antigen for serovar lora was of 38-40 kDa and behaved like a protein. Antibodies to the LPS serogroup-specific antigens and to the 38-40 kDa protein were long-lasting and consequently suggest that these immunodominant epitopes are important in resistance to re-infection.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational leptospirosis in a Colombian Caribbean area].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the seroprevalence of infection by Leptospira in an occupational setting in Cordoba. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 334 farmworkers, butchers, and garbage collectors, to identify the presence of anti-leptospira IgM antibodies, in the Department of Cordoba, Colombia. Stratified sampling proportional to the number of inhabitants and occupation was used to select the sample population (confidence level 99.9%, error 0.5%, prevalence 72%). The SPSS software 11.0 version was used to perform non parametric tests with p < 0.05, as well as odds ratios with confidence intervals. RESULTS: The prevalence of previous infection by Leptospira was high (13.1%). No differences among areas were found, however, higher infection was associated with living in Cienaga de Oro municipality (OR = 3.52 Cl 1.70-7.26) (p = 0,00283). Being a farmer was also a risk factor for infection (OR = 2.04 Cl 1.080-3.85) (p = 0.025), as well as drinking water from a dam (OR = 2.4 CI 1.24-4.70) (p = 0.00787). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of infection is important and a significant public health problem in this area of the Colombian Caribbean coast.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2004

Risk of transmission of leptospirosis from infected cattle to dairy workers in southern Israel.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide, found predominantly in agricultural workers, port workers and dairy workers. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of disease transmission to dairy workers following an outbreak in 1999 of Leptospirosis hardjo in the dairy herds of two kibbutzim in southern Israel. METHODS: A seroepidemiologic survey of all the dairy workers from these two kibbutzim was conducted, including individual interview and examination. Data were collected on the presence of clinical symptoms of leptospirosis during the previous month. One month later the medical personnel on the two kibbutzim were contacted in order to determine if any worker had subsequently developed clinical signs or symptoms of leptospirosis. All dairy workers had blood drawn for serology. Those workers whose initial serology had been borderline for leptospirosis had a repeated serology test between 2 and 4 weeks later. Doxycycline was given prophylactically to all dairy workers on one kibbutz only. RESULTS: Either with or without chemoprophylaxis, no dairy workers exposed to herds infected with Leptospira hardjo showed evidence of seroconversion or disease. This indicated a low risk of transmission of this serovar from cows to dairy workers. CONCLUSION: Since human illness with leptospirae can cause illness associated with significant morbidity, we recommend that physicians make an informed decision regarding doxycycline prophylaxsis for dairy workers exposed to cattle herds infected with Leptospira hardjo.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Leptospira interrogans serovar sejroe infection in a group of laboratory dogs.

Interstitial nephritis was seen histologically in 19 (59%) out of 32 pure-breed beagle dogs (16 males and 16 females) subjected to standard safety tests. In these animals no clinical abnormalities were observed and all the tested parameters (haematology, biochemistry and urine analysis) were within the normal ranges. Leptospiral antibody titres ranging from 1 : 100 to 1 : 6400, against a serovar (hardjo) belonging to the Sejroe serogroup, were detected by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) in the serum of the 19 dogs with interstitial nephritis. All animals without renal lesions were seronegative. Leptospiral antigen was detected immunohistochemically in the kidneys of 4 dogs; leptospires were detected in Warthin-Starry stained sections of one dog. Leptospires were isolated from the kidneys of 3 of the 4 dogs examined by bacterial culture. The isolated strains were typed as serovar sejroe by restriction endonuclease digestion and Southern blot hybridization analysis of their DNA. It was concluded that Leptospira interrogans serovar sejroe, was responsible for an asymptomatic chronic renal infection which was widespread in this group of laboratory dogs.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1992

Experimental infection of pregnant gilts with Leptospira interrogans serovar mozdok.

Three pregnant gilts were experimentally infected with leptospires of the serovar mozdok, isolated from an aborted pig fetus from a Portuguese pig farm with abortion problems. All the gilts aborted dead or dying piglets on days 105 or 106 of pregnancy. Serovar mozdok was isolated from 12 of the 22 piglets in the three litters. Histological examination of the livers and kidneys of the gilts at the end of the experiment revealed evidence of disease, and leptospires were isolated from their kidneys. Their serological responses up to 42 days after inoculation were monitored by means of a microscopic agglutination test, using 21 antigens from 18 serogroups. Cross reactions to heterologous antigens belonging to the Grippotyphosa, Australis, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Cynopteri groups were observed in all of them.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1998

The prevalence of antibody to the viruses of bovine virus diarrhoea, bovine herpes virus 1, rift valley fever, ephemeral fever and bluetongue and to Leptospira sp in free-ranging wildlife in Zimbabwe.

The prevalence of antibody to the viruses of bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD), bovine herpes virus typel (BHV1), rift valley fever (RVF), bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) and bluetongue (BT) and to Leptospira sp. was determined in wildlife populations in Zimbabwe. Evidence of infection with BVD virus was found in 14 of the 16 species examined but was greatest in eland Taurotragus oryx, nyala Tragelaphus angasi and bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus. Persistent infection with BVD virus was found in 1 of 303 antibody-free eland but not in the smaller sample of 102 antibody-free buffalo Syncerus caffer. Antibody to BHV1 was widespread, being found in 10 of 16 species with the highest prevalence being in buffalo and eland. Antibody to RVF was most prevalent in black rhino Diceros bicornis and white rhino Ceratotherium simum, buffalo and waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus. Both BEF and BT were widespread in all the species examined. Evidence of infection with Leptospira sp. was found in 7 species. Infections were due to up to 3 of 8 different serovars.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

A multiplex PCR for the detection of Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. DNA from aborted bovine fetuses.

Bovine brucellosis and leptospirosis are important causes of bovine abortion around the world. Both diseases can be serologically diagnosed, but many factors may cause false positive and negative results. Direct methods based on bacteriological isolation are usually employed, but they are difficult, time consuming and dangerous. Monoplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been successfully described for the detection of Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. Aiming at improvement in the direct diagnosis, a multiplex PCR (mPCR) for the detection of these agents in aborted bovine fetuses is described. The detection threshold of the mPCR was evaluated in experimentally contaminated bovine clinical samples using a conventional proteinase K/SDS or a boiling-based extraction protocols. The mPCR was applied to two groups of clinical samples: 63 episodes of bovine abortion and eight hamsters experimentally infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona. Adopting microbiological isolation as reference, the test showed a sensitivity of 100% in both groups of clinical samples. Seven samples collected from bovine fetuses were Brucella spp. culture negative but showed positive results in mPCR. Regarding Leptospira spp. detection, similar results were observed in three bovine clinical samples. All hamsters infected with Leptospira were positive in both microbiological culture and mPCR. The boiling extraction protocol showed better results in some clinical samples, probably by the removal of PCR inhibitors by heat treatment. The high sensitivity, simplicity and the possibility of detection of both bacteria in a single tube reaction support the use of the mPCR described in the routine diagnosis.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1986

Pathogenesis and red blood cell destruction in haemoglobinaemic leptospirosis.

Sequential morphological changes were seen in RBCs, spleen and liver from hamsters during the development of haemoglobinaemia following infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar ballum. Spleens from pre-haemoglobinaemic hamsters showed sequestration of RBCs and erythrophagocytosis but to a lesser degree than was seen in the haemoglobinaemic hamsters. Erythrophagocytosis and RBC sequestration were also seen in the liver, particularly in the haemoglobinaemic animals. None of these changes was seen in the RBCs, spleens and livers from moribund and dead hamsters suffering from non-haemoglobinaemic disease resulting from infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona. Intracellular leptospires were readily identifiable within the spleens and livers of hamster infected with both ballum and pomona. It is suggested that leptospiral toxins affect RBC metabolism and eventually RBC morphology. The affected cells are detected and removed by the reticulo-macrophage system, usually before intravascular haemolysis can take place. If the toxins affect a certain enzyme or biochemical pathway, there are sufficient normal metabolic differences in RBCs between animals of different species and, in the same species of animal, between the same and different aged animals, to explain the differing susceptibilities of the RBCs to leptospiral toxins.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Isolation of Salmonella enterica and serologic reactivity to Leptospira interrogans in opossums (Didelphis virginiana) from Yucatán, México.

The presence of Salmonella enterica and serologic evidence of infection by Leptospira interrogans, were detected in the opossum Didelphis virginiana in a semi-urban locality of the Yucatán State, México. Ninety-one opossums were captured during the period April 1996 and May 1998. From a total of 17 feces samples, four Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotypes (Sandiego, Newport, Anatum, and Minnesota), and one Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae serovar O44:Z4,Z23:- were isolated. Some opossums presented mixed infections. From 81 sera samples, four (4.9%) were positive to antibodies to Leptospira serovars pomona and wolfii. Both animals infected with Salmonella enterica and those serologically positive to Leptospira interrogans were captured in peridomestic habitat. Opossums infected with Salmonella enterica, were captured in dry season, and those seropositive to Leptospira interrogans during the rainy season. The implications of infection and reactivity of these zoonotic pathogens in D. virginiana in the Yucatan state are briefly discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The effect of storage time on isolation of Leptospira interrogans from bovine kidneys.

Kidney tissues from 20 cattle infected with Leptospira interrogans serovars hardjo, pomona, or grippotyphosa were cultured on the day of slaughter and 3, 6, and 8 days later to examine the effect of storage time on the recovery of leptospires by conventional culture methods. Leptospires were isolated from 85% of infected bovine kidney tissues cultured on day 1, and from 95%, 90%, and 90% of kidney tissues stored in transport medium at 4 C for 3, 6, and 8 days, respectively, prior to inoculation of culture media.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Dihydrostreptomycin treatment of bovine carriers of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo.

Ten non-pregnant heifers, experimentally infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo, were each given an intramuscular injection of dihydrostreptomycin at a dose rate of 25 mg kg-1. In five of these animals this treatment was repeated after 14 days. Treatment failed to remove established genital or renal infection in seven of the 10 heifers, although the number of organisms persisting was apparently reduced in these animals. Serovar hardjo infection persisted for at least 83 days in the oviduct and uterus and these tissues may be as important carrier sites for serovar hardjo as bovine kidney tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Role of cattle in the maintenance of Leptospira interrogans serotype hardjo infection in Northern Ireland.

Kidneys of cattle, mice and badgers were cultured for leptospires in an attempt to evaluate the relative importance of these species in the epidemiology of bovine leptospirosis caused by the Hebdomadis serogroup. Leptospires closely related to serotype hardjo were recovered from 57 (28.5 per cent) of 200 cattle examined but no evidence of infection was found in either badgers or mice, indicating that cattle act as the maintenance host for serotype hardjo. Many cattle were seronegative carriers.

Animals↗