Detection of Leptospira spp. in wild Phrynops geoffroanus (Geoffroy’s side-necked turtle) in urban environment

Abstract

Leptospira spp., a zoonotic agent relevant for public health, occurs frequently in tropical regions. The aquatic environment represents a viable survival and transmission pathway. This study aimed to investigate the presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in Phrynops geoffroanus (Geoffroy's side-necked turtle) serum samples using the microagglutination test (MAT), and Leptospira spp. in gastric and cloacal lavage samples using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Antibodies against nine different Leptospira spp. serovars were detected in 45.45% (30/66) of the serum samples. Specific amplification of Leptospira spp. genomic material (331bp) was observed in 16.67% (11/66) of the samples. In conclusion, these freshwater testudines host Leptospira spp. and eliminate them. This situation may represent a risk to public health, especially to people who use urban streams for fishing and recreational activities. Additionally, we described some Leptospira spp. serovars, not yet reported in testudines, detected here in P. geoffroanus.

Identification of antibodies to Leptospira spp. in the spot-legged turtle (Rhinoclemmys punctularia) maintained in captivity

“…Although research on the occurrence of Leptospira spp. in the species studied is still in the early stages, some studies (ANDREWS et al, 1965;DEZZUTTO et al, 2017;GLOSSER et al, 1974;GRIMM et al, 2015;OLIVEIRA et al, 2016) have indicated that chelonians can serve as possible reservoirs of these agents, showing high prevalence rates similar to those detected of the present study.…”

“…When comparing the results of the present study with those of studies previously conducted in Brazil, there are notable discrepancies in the reported infectious serogroups in chelonians, as demonstrated by Oliveira et al (2016), who fund that serovar Copenhageni from the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae was more frequently detected in samples collected from the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). Similarly, Silva et al (2010) found that pond turtles of the Emydae family maintained in the municipal zoo of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil, harbored Andamana.…”

“…In the case of chelonians, the dissemination of Leptospira can be catastrophic in populations of wild animals, and may even pose the threat of extinction (GRIMM et al, 2015). Oliveira et al (2016) detected Leptospira spp. in the droppings of Phrynops geoffroanus (Geoffroy's side-necked turtle), which led to the conclusion that the turtles harbor and disseminate these bacteria, thereby potentially contaminating the environment.…”

Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) as a reservoir for Leptospira spp

“…To reduce or eliminate the risk of exposure to this pathogen, it is essential that relevant reservoir hosts be identified [6]. Historically, positive MAT titers have been used to determine whether wild reptiles serve as reservoirs for this important disease [14–19]; however, the serologic assay is limited in its scope, as it notes exposure but not active infection without serial samples and a rise in titer. Because of this, there is a strong argument for PCR testing of reptiles to truly characterize them as reservoirs [17].…”

“…In South America, Oliveira et al reported a 16.7% (11/66) prevalence of Leptospira spp. from PCR samples collected from the stomach and cloaca of wild Phrynops geoffroanus in an urban environment in Brazil [14], and Biscola et al identified the serotype Interrogans from PCR samples of the liver and kidney from a wild Bothrops pauloensis [15]. In Africa, a wild Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia was positive for Leptospira spp.…”