Comparative genomic analysis of Brazilian Leptospira kirschneri serogroup Pomona serovar Mozdok

Abstract

Leptospira kirschneri is one of the pathogenic species of the Leptospira genus. Human and animal infection from L. kirschneri gained further attention over the last few decades. Here we present the isolation and characterisation of Brazilian L. kirschneri serogroup Pomona serovar Mozdok strain M36/05 and the comparative genomic analysis with Brazilian human strain 61H. The M36/05 strain caused pulmonary hemorrhagic lesions in the hamster model, showing high virulence. The studied genomes presented high symmetrical identity and the in silico multilocus sequence typing analysis resulted in a new allelic profile (ST101) that so far has only been associated with the Brazilian L. kirschneri serogroup Pomona serovar Mozdok strains. Considering the environmental conditions and high genomic similarity observed between strains, we suggest the existence of a Brazilian L. kirschneri serogroup Pomona serovar Mozdok lineage that could represent a high public health risk; further studies are necessary to confirm the lineage significance and distribution.

Reduced susceptibility in leptospiral strains of bovine origin might impair antibiotic therapy

“…In addition, tetracyclines are excessively used in in animal production as growth promoters and to improve food efficiency, which may have contributed to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and low susceptibility to these agents [16]. Moreover, the presence of gene related to tetracycline resistance ( tet A) has already been demonstrated in leptospiral DNA [36].…”

PRIMEIRO ISOLAMENTO DE Leptospira kirschneri SOROVAR CANICOLA E Leptospira interrogans SOROVAR PYROGENES EM AMOSTRAS DE URINA DE BOVINOS ABATIDOS

“…Southwest regions of Brazil during the last twenty years and probably is suitable to rodents as reservoirs, which can allow high virulence to humans, with risk to public health (Moreno et al, 2016). The authors report the importance of more studies to understand the epidemiological situation in the rural areas in Brazil.…”

“…The obtained data related to L. kirschneri serovar Mozdok is important to development of new vaccines; besides that, this serovar may be included to tests to rapid diagnostic and to the next molecular and serological studies. The authors report that serovars that are not frequent in Brazil is an important data that allows prevent and control the human and animal leptospirosis, which is benefic to the population (Cunha et al, 2016;Moreno et al, 2016;Balassiano et al, 2017).…”

Rodent-borne health risks in farming systems

“…It is remarkable that L. kirschneri was found in the Rattus rattus (black rat). This black rat is worldwide associated with Icterohaemorrhagiae infections which belong to L. interrogans (Kuiken, 1990) although it harbours also L. kirschneri in Brazil and Mayotte (Desvars et al, 2012;Moreno et al, 2016). It can be concluded that besides seasonal, geographic, and temporal factors, the host species also plays a role in the infection rate.…”