[Certain rickettsial, viral, and leptospiral diseases in Bulgaria observed during the recent years].
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Bulgaria↗
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Leptospira associated with nephritis in a mule.
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Animals↗
[Return to estrus following first insemination in sow herds (incidence and association with reproductivity and various blood parameters)].
As no systematic study has been done to get an accurate estimate of the incidence of return to oestrus after first insemination in sows in the Netherlands, the objectives of this investigation were: 1) to obtain an estimate of the incidence of return to oestrus after insemination at the herd level; 2) to investigate the association between incidence of return to oestrus after first insemination and reproduction characteristics to get an impression of the economic importance. These objectives were investigated using the reproduction results of 240 swine breeding herds in The Southern Netherlands in 1987, using their CBK plus computerized herd management records. The average incidence of return to oestrus after first insemination on a herd level was 16.9 per 100 first inseminations. An increase of incidence with 10 returns per 100 first inseminations, corrected for confounders in a multiple linear regression model, was associated with a decrease of approximately 0.3 liveborn piglets/sow/year. Thereupon individual sows were followed in 1988 and 1989 prospectively in 37 sow herds from weaning to insemination, returning to oestrus or not after first insemination to farrowing. The investigation focused in particular on the relationship between returning to oestrus after first insemination and incident infection with porcine parvovirus (PPV) and Leptospira interrogans serovar bratislava (L. bratislava). During a number of consecutive farm visits sows were blood sampled at weaning and again a blood sample was taken 6 weeks later. The final dataset that was analysed consisted of 161 animals that did not return to oestrus after first insemination and 158 animals that returned to oestrus after first insemination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animals↗
Health status of bulls used for natural breeding on farms in south west Scotland.
One hundred and nine breeding bulls were examined during the period November 1992 to June 1993 on farms in south west Scotland for evidence of infectious diseases associated with breeding. Preputial washings were collected to screen for Campylobacter fetus venerialis, together with serial blood samples to assess their seroprevalence to Bovine Virus Diarrhoea virus (BVDv), Bovine Herpes Virus-1 (BHV-1), Leptospira hardjo and Bovine Herpes Virus-4 (BHV-4). The possible impact of natural mating on the epidemiology of these diseases is described. Evidence of infections with Campylobacter fetus and BVH-4 were not found in this sample. The overall seroprevalence to BVDv was 78%, for BHV-1 49%, and L. hardjo 27% at titres of > or = 1/400. This study shows that bulls may be responsible for the introduction and dissemination of these diseases when moved from farm to farm as part of normal cattle breeding in this area. Young unproven bulls may be particularly susceptible to endemic diseases associated with lowered reproductive performance.
Agglutination Tests↗
Identification of related DNA sequences in Borrelia burgdorferi and two strains of Leptospira interrogans by using polymerase chain reaction.
The suitability of a polymerase chain reaction assay for Borrelia burgdorferi in epidemiological studies of infected tick populations was evaluated by using 28 strains of Leptospira interrogans and lysates of fixed adult Ixodes tick tissues. Two false positives representing leptospires were differentiated from B. burgdorferi by using an oligonucleotide probe.
Animals↗
Correlation of bedrock type with the geography of leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis occurs enzootically over most of Southern Ontario. Leptospira pomona is the serotype most commonly found in outbreaks. Antibodies to L. pomona occur frequently in the sera of deer in wilderness areas. The geographic location of leptospirosis presents a pattern which closely parallels the distribution of Paleozoic bedrock. By contrast, L. pomona infection is absent from areas underlain by Precambrian bedrock. Comparisons of water chemistry, soil type, habitat, and host and pathogen availability in these two geologically distinct environments have not defined the mechanisms involved in the disease pattern. Leptospires resembling saphophytic strains occur widely, regardless of bedrock type. High titers to L. biflexa, a saprophytic serotype, were found frequently in deer sera from a Precambrian area which was surveyed intensively. Antibodies to L. hardjo and L. sejroe occur in many bovine sera from a predominantly Precambrian area where Paleozoic outliers are numerous. Colloidal clay is common to leptospiral habitats. A microenvironment structured by the surface activity of clay is likely to be a key ecological factor in the landscape epizootiology of leptospirosis. In Ontario, bedrock composed of limestone and dolomite formed in the Paleozoic era appears to be a reliable ecological marker for Leptospira pomona infection.
Animal Diseases↗
[Leptospira population ecology. II. An attempt to assess the number in the soil and the epizootic potential of infected spots].
Leptospires released with a carrier's urine were found to inhabit the upper layer of the soil 1 cm deep at a radius of 1-2 cm from the place of their penetration into the soil. A sharp drop in the number of leptospires in the "infected spot" was shown to occur; in 6-12 hours their concentration became no different from that in the intact soil. Most of such spots retained their infective capacity for 6 hours (up to 2 days), though the presence of leptospires at low concentration was registered for 10 days (the term of observation). The infective capacity was probably maintained by the regular addition of leptospires with carriers' urine.
Animals↗
Co-infection with malaria and leptospirosis.
Malaria and leptospirosis are both common in the tropics. Simultaneous infections are possible, although not previously reported. We report two cases of malaria from an area of Thailand on the Thailand-Myanmar border with compelling serologic evidence of simultaneous acute leptospirosis. One was a case of infection with Plasmodium falciparum with acute and convalescent microscopic agglutination test (MAT) titers for Leptospira serovar icterohaemorrhagiae of 1:200 and 1:1,600, respectively. The other was a case of infection with P. vivax that seroconverted to a titer of 1:3,200 for Leptospira serovar bataviae. Additionally, there were five probable cases of leptospirosis with patent malaria parasitemia (three P. falciparum and two P. vivax) detected. Management of dual infections is complicated by their similar clinical presentations, and because the confirmatory diagnosis of malaria is readily available as opposed to that of leptospirosis. Treatment focusing on malaria mono-infections instead of dual infections could result in a delay of specific therapy for leptospirosis and possible consequences of serious complications.
Adult↗
Decreased lipopolysaccharide content and enhanced susceptibility of leptospiras to serum leptospiricidal action and phagocytosis after treatment with diphenylamine.
Growth of leptospiras in the presence of diphenylamine (DPA) caused a decrease in the content of leptospiral lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In association with this decrease of LPS, leptospiras became susceptible to anti-leptospiral action of normal rabbit serum (NRS), leptospiricidal action of antibody and complement, and killing by phagocytes. DPA-treated leptospiras were eliminated rapidly from the blood of infected mice and could not grow in the animals.
Aniline Compounds↗
Prevalence and diversity of Arcobacter spp. isolated from the internal organs of spontaneous porcine abortions in Denmark.
A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and possible significance of campylobacteria in pig abortions in Denmark. Surface-cauterised liver and kidney samples from 55 aborted pig fetuses submitted to the Danish Veterinary Laboratory were taken and a sensitive isolation procedure used to examine pooled tissue samples for Campylobacter, Arcobacter and Helicobacter spp. Routine microbiological, immunological, and histopathological examinations were also performed to identify concurrent infections or histopathological changes. The abortions tested negative for established abortifacient pathogens (Brucella, Leptospira, PPV, PRRSV), but Arcobacter spp. were recovered from 23/55 abortions. Co-infections with Streptococcus suis, Escherichia coli, and haemolytic streptococci were observed in 7/23 Arcobacter-positive fetuses, and in 4/32 Arcobacter-negative fetuses. Histopathological analyses identified placentitis, pneumonia, hepatitis and encephalitis among the study group. However, no obvious pathologic features were solely associated with Arcobacter-positive cases, nor were Arcobacter-like bacteria observed in tissue samples. Protein profile analyses of the 27 Arcobacter isolates identified 11 as A. cryaerophilus and 10 as A. skirrowii. Six strains could not be classified into any existing species and were phenotypically distinct, thus, potentially representing at least one new species. The identification results showed that multiple taxa could be found in a single fetus, and in distinct aborted fetuses from a single sow. The high prevalence of arcobacters in Danish pig abortions may account for at least some of the >90% of cases in which no established abortifacient agent is detected, but further studies are needed to define the role of each species, especially where co-infections with other bacteria are present.
Abortion, Veterinary↗
Experimental leptospirosis in marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus): a new model for studies of severe pulmonary leptospirosis.
Experimental infection of marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) with Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni showed microscopic patterns of tissue reactions comparable to those seen in the severe forms of human leptospirosis, including intra-alveolar hemorrhage. The most impressive microscopic changes were seen in the lung and kidney of animals killed at days 6 and 12 after inoculation. There were extensive and irregular areas of hemorrhage predominating around main bronchial branches or diffusely spread to the pulmonary parenchyma, as well as severe tubulointerstitial nephritis. Antibody response detected by the microscopic agglutination test was quantitatively similar to those seen in humans and paralleled severity of tissue lesions. The distribution of leptospires or antigenic debris in infected tissues was observed by immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Large numbers of typical leptospires were seen in the lumen of proximal renal tubules. Positive reactions showing antigenic debris were closely associated with sites of tissue damage.
Animals↗
Western immunoblot analysis using a ten leptospira serovars combined antigen for serodiagnosis of leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis is a major zoonotic disease throughout the world. There are unavailable accuracy diagnostic methods for the acute phase of infection. To demonstrate the advantage of Western immunoblot, a mixed leptospira serovars antigen for the serodiagnosis of leptospirosis was employed. SDS-PAGE and Western immunoblot was performed using a 10 mixed leptospira serovars antigen and stained with 16 reference rabbit anti-leptospirosis antibodies. The result showed different immunoreactive band patterns for each reference serum. The bands with molecular weights of 15-20, 23-24, 41 and 45 kDa were commonly found (88% to 100% of the 16 reference sera). Using combined leptospira antigens in a Western immunoblot technique is an alternative and practical strategy for a more sensitive leptospirosis serodiagnosis.
Antibodies, Bacterial↗
Diagnostic studies of the fetus, placenta and maternal blood from 265 bovine abortions.
During 1981, the fetus, placenta and maternal serum were received from each of 265 bovine abortions. These specimens were examined using histopathological, histochemical, bacteriological, mycological, endocrinological, immunological, serological and virological techniques. The cause of abortion was identified in 98 (37%) cases. Of these diagnosed abortions 27 (28%) were due to infection with fungi, 17 (17%) to Salmonella spp, 11 (11%) to Campylobacter fetus and 10 (10%) to Corynebacterium pyogenes infection. Of the remaining 33 (34%) diagnosed abortions 8 were due to Leptospira sp, 5 due to protozoan (probably Sarcocystis) encephalitis and 20 due to miscellaneous bacterial infections (including Brucella abortus) and fetal deformities. Bovine virus diarrhoea virus was isolated in 5 (2%) abortions, however the significance of the isolations was not known. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus and chlamydia were not identified as causal agents in any abortion. In 18 (7%) abortions no definite etiologic agent was identified despite pathological findings suggestive of infection. Fetal heart blood serology and immunoglobulin values were not reliable indicators of infectious abortion. Of the remaining 149 (56%) abortions, 17% had high maternal serum cortisol levels and twin fetuses occurred in 9%.
Abortion, Septic↗
Susceptibility of Leptospira serovars to antimalarial agents.
Leptospirosis has recently been described to cause concomitant infection with malaria. Only doxycycline has proven to have chemoprophylactic and therapeutic efficacy for both malaria and leptospirosis. To assess whether other traditional antimalarial agents have antileptospiral activity, we performed broth microdilution susceptibility testing of 16 Leptospira serovars (6 species/14 serogroups) to various agents. Artemisinin, atovaquone, chloroquine, mefloquine, primaquine, proguanil, pyrimethamine, sulfadoxine, quinine, quinidine, and combinations of atovaquone/proguanil and pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine all had a 90% minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC(90)) > 25 microg/mL (the upper limit of testing). The only agents identified with the potential to treat both infections other than doxycycline (MIC(90) = 1.56 microg/mL) were azithromycin (MIC(90) = 0.002 microg/mL) and clindamycin (MIC(90) = 0.2 microg/mL).
Antimalarials↗
Nonulcerative keratouveitis as a manifestation of Leptospiral infection in a horse.
A 2-year-old Thoroughbred filly presented with ocular pain and epiphora of the left eye. The pupil was miotic and the cornea edematous near the ventro-temporal limbus, but did not retain any fluorescein. The topical antibiotics and atropine and diclofenac, and systemic flunixin meglumine and antibiotic therapy did not resolve the condition. A pink and fleshy infiltrate developed near the limbus indicating nonulcerative keratouveitis. The anterior uveitis deteriorated as manifested by the presence of dyscoria, hypopyon, and organized fibrin in the anterior chamber. Ocular signs were improved by topical and subconjunctival corticosteroids, but repeatedly deteriorated as the frequency of medication was reduced. The horse was seropositive to three serovars of Leptospira interrogans. The animal was diagnosed as blind on day 91 by the absence of pupillary light and menace reflexes, and donated for histopathologic diagnosis. The corneal opacity was histologically fibrotic and infiltrated predominantly by lymphocytes with Descemet's membrane partially disrupted by macrophages. The choroid was infiltrated by lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils, and was positive to IgG and C3. There were filamentous or spiral structures positive to Warthin-Starry stain in the renal cortex. There was also polymerase chain reaction amplification of the leptospiral gene in the kidney. From these findings nonulcerative keratouveitis was believed to be caused by systemic infection with Leptospira.
Animals↗
Leptospirosis: a childhood disease.
A diagnosis of leptospirosis was confirmed in nine children who were admitted to St. Louis Children's Hospital during the past 54 months. Epidemiologic, clinical, cultural, and serologic data which were obtained emphasize (1) the high incidence of urban cases; (2) contact with dogs as the most likely source of infection; and (3) that serotypes other than Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae may produce severe clinical disease. Unusual or previously unreported manifestations of leptospirosis including acalculous cholecystitis, pancreatitis, abdominal causalgia, desquamating skin rashes, and infarction of the extremities which were noted in these children are discussed.
Adolescent↗
Reversible thick ascending limb dysfunction and aseptic meningitis syndrome: early manifestation in two leptospirosis patients.
Leptospirosis is a widespread spirochetal zoonosis caused by the members of the genus Leptospira. The natural history of human leptospiral infection varies widely. The infection can cause a subclinical illness, or may be mistaken for influenza. In individuals who become ill, leptospirosis typically presents as one of two clinically recognizable syndromes. The first syndrome is the mild anicteric form, which rarely results in death, while the second syndrome fulminant icteric form, known as Weil's syndrome, has an associated 10% mortality. The anicteric form comprises two disease stages, namely the septicemic phase and the immune phase. In fever work up, leptospirosis is usually not the first considered pathogen of sepsis, unless jaundice and ARF are present. This study investigated two patients with leptospirosis presenting with conscious disturbance and oligoric acute renal failure individually. In the second patient, persistent hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis developed during recovery from acute renal failure. Several tubular function tests were performed to define the renal tubular lesion in this patient, revealing a defect on the thick ascending limb. This study also reviews previous studies on leptospirosis including its epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗
Leptospirosis in India and the rest of the world.
Leptospirosis is an acute anthropo-zoonotic infection of worldwide significance caused by spirochaete Leptospira interrogans which has 23 serogroups and >200 serovars. Various factors influencing the animal activity, suitability of the environment for the survival of the organism and behavorial and occupational habits of human beings can be the determinants of incidence and prevalence of the disease. The disease was considered inconsequential till recently, but it is emerging as an important public health problem during the last decade or so due to sudden upsurge in the number of reported cases and outbreaks. Since isolation rate of the microorganism from clinical specimens is low due to prior indiscriminate use of antibiotics, serological techniques remain the cornerstone of diagnosis.
Animals↗