Evaluation of ‘white-spotted kidneys’ associated with leptospirosis by polymerase chain reaction based <i>LipL32</i> gene in slaughtered cows

Abstract

The presence of white spots in the kidneys of cattle at slaughter (so-called white-spotted kidneys) can be an indication of infection with Leptospira, a spirochaete of public health concern because it causes zoonotic disease. In this study, 24 kidneys of 180 slaughtered cows (13.3%) showed focal to multifocal white spots at inspection. These kidneys, together with matching urine (n = 18) and blood (n = 24) samples, were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the LipL32 gene. Leptospiral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was detected in 19 (79.2%) out of 24 kidneys, as well as 7 (29.2%) blood and 10 (55.5%) urine samples of cows with white spots in their kidneys. Histopathological findings revealed multifocal infiltration of mononuclear cells, including lymphocytes and a few plasma cells in the renal interstitial tissues. In addition, 14 apparently normal kidneys and associated urine and blood samples were similarly examined by PCR but did not provide any positive results. In this study, high detection of leptospirosis in kidneys with interstitial nephritis suggests that Leptospira spp. are associated with white spotted kidneys. The present findings indicate that white spotted kidneys can be due to leptospirosis in this region in southwestern Iran, which indicates an increased risk of zoonotic disease. The data show that LipL32-based primers are useful for PCR-based diagnosis of leptospirosis.

Cytokine and Chemokine Expression in Kidneys during Chronic Leptospirosis in Reservoir and Susceptible Animal Models

“…Likewise, commonly susceptible guinea pigs that became chronic carrier of virulent leptospires showed interstitial nephritis, but also presented glomerular alterations with atrophy of the normal structures and hyaline deposit in the tubular lumen [ 20 ]. Interstitial nephritis and infiltration of mononuclear cells around the glomeruli were also reported in chronically infected cattle related to white-spotted pattern of kidneys [ 49 , 50 ]. This is in accordance with the interstitial lesions observed in the kidneys of hamsters chronically infected with B3-13S, associated with necrosis of tubular epithelial cells and glomerular modifications ( Fig 2 ).…”

Leptospiral major outer membrane protein

“…Use of four antigens in ELISA increased the sensitivity and specificity of serodiagnosis of leptospirosis in horses and the results were comparable to the MAT results [44]. Azizi et al [45] used a PCR-based technique targeting the LipL32 gene to detect leptospirosis in slaughtered cows reported with 'white-spotted kidneys'. The presence of white spots in the kidney is associated with 79% of cases with leptospiral infection.…”

“…The presence of white spots in the kidney is associated with 79% of cases with leptospiral infection. Normal kidneys did not show any LipL32 amplification indicating the specificity of LipL32 PCR [45].…”

Identification of Pathogenic Leptospira spp. Carrier Goats Using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

“…Use of LipL32 gene specific primers was aimed because these primers target a known gene sequence reported to be conserved in all the pathogenic Leptospira species only (Cheema et al, 2007) and hence it distinguishes between pathogenic and nonpathogenic Leptospira species, as well as other microorganisms too (Azizi et al, 2012, Tansuphasiri et al, 2006. In past, many workers have successfully used G1/G2 (Gravekamp et al, 1993, Oliveira et al, 2003, Cheema et al, 2007, Shivaraj et al, 2009, Mineiro et al, 2011, Dehkordi et al, 2011 and LipL32 primers (Bomfim et al, 2008, Meenambigai et al, 2011, Azizi et al, 2012 for diagnostic purpose. Nevertheless, other primers (LipL21, LipL32, LipL41, 16SrRNA) have also been used by various workers (Van Eys et al, 1989, Lucchesi et al, 2004, Lilenbaum et al, 2009, Shivraj et al, 2009, Ambily et al, 2012 for the detection of leptospiral DNA in various biological materials.…”