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PubMed2006

Brief report: Leptospirosis after flooding of a university campus--Hawaii, 2004.

On November 19, 2004, the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) received a report that a University of Hawaii professor aged 56 years had been hospitalized with suspected leptospirosis after cleaning his flooded laboratory. On October 31, heavy rains had caused an adjacent stream to overflow its banks and flood the campus. Persons exposed to fresh water or mud contaminated by the urine of animals infected with the spirochete Leptospira interrogans can have systemic illness if the leptospires enter the body through broken skin or mucous membranes. This report describes the subsequent investigation by HDOH, assisted by CDC, which highlights the importance of maintaining clinical suspicion for leptospirosis after flooding in areas where the illness is endemic, even in well-developed urban settings.

Disasters↗
PubMed1989

[Leptospirosis in cattle; milker's fever in cattle farmers].

In this paper the symptomatology, epidemiology, and diagnosis of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo infections in cattle are reviewed. The possibilities on monitoring and control of this disease in both foreign countries and the Netherlands are discussed. Special attention is paid to the zoonotic aspects of the infection (dairy fever).

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Serological prevalence of leptospiral infection in domestic animals in West Malaysia.

A cross-sectional serological survey of domestic animals in West Malaysia revealed that 25.5% of the animals examined had agglutinating antibodies to one or more antigens belonging to Leptospira interrogans. Significant prevalence of infection was observed in cattle (40.5%), buffaloes (31%) and pigs (16%). The Sejroe serogroup was shown to be the principal one involved in cattle and buffaloes, and to a lesser extent the Tarassovi and Pomona serogroups. Evidence of infection in domestic animals by strains bearing the other seven antigens appeared insignificant and was indicative of sporadic infection. A majority of the large (semi-intensive) cattle and buffalo farms demonstrated a high prevalence of leptospiral infection. In both species of domestic animals mentioned above, the prevalence of infection was significantly higher (P = 0.01) in the semi-intensive farms than in the smallholdings. Amongst cattle, the droughtmasters had the highest prevalence whilst the Kedah-Kelantan (an indigenous breed) had the lowest prevalence of leptospiral infection. In general, the temperate breeds of cattle had a significantly (P = 0.01) higher prevalence of infection than local breeds. Leptospiral infection in goats and sheep was shown to be sporadic, and the Pomona serogroup was the principal leptospiral serogroup involved in these small ruminants. The prevalence of infection in pigs was observed to decline during the study period, and it is suspected that pigs in West Malaysia are the maintenance host for serovar pomona whilst cattle are the maintenance host for serovar hardjo. Overall, it appears that domestic animals in Malaysia will play a bigger role in the epidemiology of leptospiral infection with the advent of sophisticated farming.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1993

[Occurrence of Leptospira antibodies in the blood of game animals].

The blood serum of game was examined for the presence of antibodies to Leptospiras in 1987-1989. A total of 792 blood sera from animals belonging to 14 zoo-species were examined (Tab. I). The blood serum of red deer (Cervus elephus) was examined the most often within the group of animals, in 398 cases, i.e. 50.2%, followed by 165 blood sera of wild boar (Sus scrofa), representing 20.8%, and by 136 blood sera of roedeer (Capreolus capreolus), representing 18.6%. Small numbers of blood sera of the other animals were examined. A serological reaction of microagglutination-lysion revealed the antibodies to Leptospiras in fifty examined samples, i.e. 6.31%, of the six examined zoo-species: muskrat (Ondatra zibethica) 14.28%, wild boar (Sus scrofa) 13.93%, roedeer (Capreolus capreolus) 6.76%, fox (Vulpes vulpes) 5.26%, red deer (Cervus elephus) 3.76%, mouflon (Ovis musimon) 2.50%. No antibodies to Leptospiras were found in the blood serum of the other animal species (Tab. I). Twelve strains of Leptospira were used for serological examination according to the standard method (Sebek, 1979). The examined blood sera of game reacted only with Leptospiras of the serotype L. grippotyphosa. No reaction with other Leptospira serotypes was observed. Our results have demonstrated, in comparison with the results of foreign authors, great susceptibility of the game to infection with different serotypes of Leptospira. But it is possible to say that with certain exceptions these game species do not play an important role in the epidemiology of Leptospirosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Diagnostic survey of bovine abortion with special reference to Neospora caninum infection: importance, repeated abortion and concurrent infection in aborted fetuses in Southern Brazil.

The protozoa Neospora caninum is an important cause of bovine abortion world-wide. The objective of this survey was to determine the distribution pattern of infectious abortion in Southern Brazil with special reference to N. caninum infection. A total of 161 bovine aborted fetuses from 149 farms were analysed during a 1.5 year period. The cause of abortion was identified in 51.5% of cases. Overall, 23% (37/161) of the fetuses were considered to be infected with N. caninum. Bacterial infection accounted for 17.4% (28/161) of cases, fungal infection for 3.1% (5/161) of cases and viral aetiology for 1.8% (3/161). Six fetuses had concurrent infection with N. caninum and Leptospira spp. Data from 111 fetuses and the respective aborted cows were analysed to investigate the association between previous abortion and current N. caninum infection. The prevalence of N. caninum-infected fetuses from cows with and without a history of previous abortion was 44% (11/25) and 24.4% (21/86), respectively. Cows aborting a N. caninum-infected fetuses were 2.4 times more likely to have aborted previously than cows aborting for other reasons (95% CI of odds ratio=0.9-6.8, P=0.06).

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed2006

Genome reduction in Leptospira borgpetersenii reflects limited transmission potential.

Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world, resulting in high morbidity and mortality in humans and affecting global livestock production. Most infections are caused by either Leptospira borgpetersenii or Leptospira interrogans, bacteria that vary in their distribution in nature and rely on different modes of transmission. We report the complete genomic sequences of two strains of L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo that have distinct phenotypes and virulence. These two strains have nearly identical genetic content, with subtle frameshift and point mutations being a common form of genetic variation. Starkly limited regions of synteny are shared between the large chromosomes of L. borgpetersenii and L. interrogans, probably the result of frequent recombination events between insertion sequences. The L. borgpetersenii genome is approximately 700 kb smaller and has a lower coding density than L. interrogans, indicating it is decaying through a process of insertion sequence-mediated genome reduction. Loss of gene function is not random but is centered on impairment of environmental sensing and metabolite transport and utilization. These features distinguish L. borgpetersenii from L. interrogans, a species with minimal genetic decay and that survives extended passage in aquatic environments encountering a mammalian host. We conclude that L. borgpetersenii is evolving toward dependence on a strict host-to-host transmission cycle.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Expression and distribution of leptospiral outer membrane components during renal infection of hamsters.

The outer membrane of pathogenic Leptospira species grown in culture media contains lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a porin (OmpL1), and several lipoproteins, including LipL36 and LipL41. The purpose of this study was to characterize the expression and distribution of these outer membrane antigens during renal infection. Hamsters were challenged with host-derived Leptospira kirschneri to generate sera which contained antibodies to antigens expressed in vivo. Immunoblotting performed with sera from animals challenged with these host-derived organisms demonstrated reactivity with OmpL1, LipL41, and several other proteins but not with LipL36. Although LipL36 is a prominent outer membrane antigen of cultivated L. kirschneri, its expression also could not be detected in infected hamster kidney tissue by immunohistochemistry, indicating that expression of this protein is down-regulated in vivo. In contrast, LPS, OmpL1, and LipL41 were demonstrated on organisms colonizing the lumen of proximal convoluted renal tubules at both 10 and 28 days postinfection. Tubular epithelial cells around the luminal colonies had fine granular cytoplasmic LPS. When the cellular inflammatory response was present in the renal interstitium at 28 days postinfection, LPS and OmpL1 were also detectable within interstitial phagocytes. These data establish that outer membrane components expressed during infection have roles in the induction and persistence of leptospiral interstitial nephritis.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Duplex PCR-hybridization based detection of pathogenic Leptospira in environmental water samples obtained from endemic areas in northeast region of Thailand.

Leptospirosis, a major health problem worldwide, is known to be endemic in the northeastern part of Thailand with the risk of infection by exposure to pathogenic Leptospira in contaminated aquatic environment. A method based on PCR-hybridization detection of pathogenic Leptospira in water was established. The method included filtration of water sample through membrane filters of two pore sizes, DNA extraction from filters using a guanidine thiocyanate extraction method, a duplex-PCR assay with two primer pairs, and hybridization with a synthetic LipL32 DNA probe. The duplex-PCR allowed detection of two products of 279 bp for LipL32 gene and 430 bp for 16S rRNA gene. In water samples artificially seeded with serovar bratislava, at least 10(3) cells could be analyzed by PCR-agarose gel electrophoresis and 1-10 cells by PCR-Southern blot hybridization. The protocol was applied to the detection of pathogenic Leptospira in environmental waters collected from endemic areas in the northeast region of Thailand. Of 100 water samples analyzed, 23 samples were positive for pathogenic Leptospira with PCR performed with Southern blot hybridization only, but none was detected by PCR-agarose gel-electrophoresis. However, PCR performed with the chemiluminescent LipL32 probe using the Fluorescein ULS labeling facilitated the detection of low numbers of pathogenic Leptospira in water. This method should prove useful for monitoring of pathogenic Leptospira pollution in environmental waters, and has the potential to become a valuable tool to the surveillance of leptospirosis in endemic areas, thus leading to enhanced public health protection.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[Leptospira distribution in the soil of a natural focus of the infection (an attempt at the radioisotopic labelling of infected voles)].

The mass radioisotope (32P) labelling of all tundra voles excreting Zeptospira, infected urine was carried out over the area of 1 ha, and the results of the experiment analyzed by the method of planar coherent graphs, showed the irregular (spotted) distribution of "infected spots", i. e. soil patches contaminated by Zeptospira. The borders of individual small foci of infection did not coincide with the outlines of soil and vegetational divisions of the area. The spatial structure of the "extraorganismic" part of the Zeptospira population was originally formed by the carriers and thus determined by their mobility, their manner of using the territory. Later this structure was changed by selective elimination under the influence of living conditions for Zeptospira in the soil. The "infected spots", subjected to such selection, seem to be capable of constantly sustaining Zeptospira; the presence of these organisms is also due to the fact that they are regularly added into the soil with urine excreted by the carriers visiting the same spots of their territory.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Studies on the incidence of leptospirosis and possible transmission of Leptospira during leptospiraemia.

During the year 1991 and in the first half year of 1992 a total of 179 cases and 288 cases respectively were tested for the presence of Leptospira by dark ground microscopy and 86 cases (48%) and 157 cases (54.5%) were found to be positive for Leptospira in their blood samples only. The disease was endemic and more prevalent in the age group of 5 to 14 years and 15 to 54 years and affected both sexes. Clinical categorisation of 169 cases in 1991 and 266 cases in the first half of the year 1992 along with the dark ground microscopy results showed that there was no strict correlation between the concentration of Leptospira in the blood and the severity of infection. Epidemiological data regarding the occupation and the contacts indicated that students and medical staff accounted for more than fifty percent of leptospiral infection and there was the possibility of transmission of Leptospira during leptospiraemia. Dark ground microscopy studies on blood samples from 20 cases who came for repeat testing showed the presence of Leptospira in blood up to 43 days and suggested that the convalescent carrier may have a role in the transmission of Leptospira during Leptospiraemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Leptospirosis among dairy workers in the valley of Jezreel: first recorded isolation of Leptospira hardjo in Israel.

Five cases of leptospirosis among dairy farmers in the Valley of Jezreel are described. The disease was caused by leptospirae of serotype hardjo and available epidemiological evidence suggested infection due to contact with cows. This is the first time that Leptospira hardjo has been isolated and identified in Israel. Infection with L. hardjo should be regarded as a significant occupational risk and this strain should be included in the group of antigens used for screening sera for leptospira antibodies in Israel.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of antibodies to leptospirosis in experimentally infected dogs using the microcapsule agglutination test.

Six puppies were infected with a virulent strain of Leptospira interrogans serovar icterohaemorrhagiae and another five animals with a virulent strain of Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola, respectively. Antibodies were examined at 3, 5, 7, 11 and 14 days after infection, using the microcapsule agglutination test (MCAT) and the conventional microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Compared with the MAT, the MCAT detected early specific IgM antibody with high sensitivity. The MCAT titres reached a peak at the 7th day after infection and declined gradually after the 11th day, while the MAT titres increased up to the 14th day.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed2006

Canine leptospirosis--do we have a problem?

Acute canine leptospirosis is well known to vet surgeons. To protect dogs against this lethal disease, vaccination is widely used. However, chronic forms of leptospirosis have been noticed even in vaccinated animals, generally induced by bacteria from serogroups other than Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola such as Sejroë, Australis or Grippotyphosa. In a survey on 98 ill cats, 48% were positive in microagglutination test (MAT) to Leptospira spp., showing that this infection is also frequent in the feline species.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1979

Experimental infections of brush-tailed possums, common wombats and water rats with Leptospira interrogans serovars balcanica and hardjo.

Of 12 brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) inoculated with Leptospira interrogans serovar balcanica 11 developed migroagglutination (MA) antibody to jardjo antigen by 14 days postincubation (PI). Leptospiruria was observed in 2 possums 117 to 145 days PI. Of 6 possums inoculated with serovar hardjo 4 developed low short-lived titres by day 18 PI. Two of 3 wombats (Vombatus ursinus) inoculated with balcanica had high MA titres (greater than or equal to 1:128) by day 16 PI and leptospiruria occurred by day 16. One wombat inoculated with hardjo developed a low MA titre. Low transitory MA titres to hardjo were found in 1 of 3 water rats (Hydromys chrysogaster) after inoculation with balcanica and 1 of 2 given hardjo. Histopathological examination of kidneys revealed mild to moderately severe focal interstitial nephritis in 4 of 8 possums, in 2 wombats and in 2 water rats following experimental infection with balcanica. Similar lesions were observed in 2 of 4 possums, 1 wombat and 2 water rats following experimental infection with hardjo.

Agglutination Tests↗