Exploring the complex interplay: gut microbiome, stress, and leptospirosis

Abstract

Leptospirosis, a re-emerging zoonotic disease, remains a significant global health concern, especially amid floods and disasters such as the Kakhovka Dam destruction. As is known, the stress that occurs in the conditions of military conflicts among civilian and military personnel significantly affects susceptibility to infectious diseases and possibly even influences their course. This review aims to explore how the gut microbiome and stress mediators (such as catecholamines and corticosteroids) might impact the leptospirosis disease course. The review opens new horizons for research by elucidating the connections between the gut microbiome, stress, and leptospirosis.

Exploring Leptospira interrogans FDAARGOS_203: Insights into AMR and Anti-Phage Defense

“…Leptospira, major agents of zoonotic disease, cause considerable morbidity and, in some instances, significant mortality in humans [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The genus Leptospira comprises over 20 species based on DNA relatedness, with more than 350 serovars identified based on surface agglutinating lipopolysaccharide antigens [ 10 ].…”

Current treatment options for leptospirosis: a mini-review

“…Although leptospirosis is endemic in tropical geographic areas, it is known as one of the most common global zoonotic bacterial infections and may lead to large-scale epidemics resulting from flooding and strong rainfall ( Haake and Levett, 2015 ; Rajapakse, 2022 ; Petakh et al, 2024a ). The neglected zoonotic infection of leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira spp., a bacterial genus belonging to the gram-negative bacterial family Leptospiraceae within the bacterial Phylum Spirochaetota and the order Leptospirales ( Cilia et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In this regard, severe leptospirosis was named Weil’s disease. Weil syndrome manifests exclusively in severe cases of leptospirosis, characterized by renal dysfunction alongside hepatomegaly, liver dysfunction, and/or changes in consciousness levels ( Jamal Khan et al, 2018 ; Petakh and Nykyforuk, 2022 ; Petakh et al, 2022a , b , 2023 , 2024a ). According to reports recorded in ancient texts, the other names for leptospirosis are rice field jaundice (in ancient China), autumn fever (Akiyami) in Japan and cane-cutter and swine-herd disease in Europe ( Rajapakse, 2022 ).…”

“…Leptospira spp. exhibit intrinsic resistance to various antimicrobial agents, though the specific mechanisms responsible remain unidentified ( Adler et al, 1986 ; Vinod Kumar et al, 2016 ; Petakh et al, 2024a , b ). Nevertheless, resistance to sulfonamides, neomycin, actidione, polymyxin, nalidixic acid, vancomycin, and rifampicin has facilitated the development of selective media for isolating leptospires ( Schönberg, 1981 ).…”

AMR mechanisms in L. interrogans serovars: a comprehensive study

“…Leptospira spp. exhibit intrinsic resistance to various antimicrobial agents, though the specific mechanisms responsible remain unidentified (Adler et al, 1986;Vinod Kumar et al, 2016;Petakh et al, 2024a;Petakh et al, 2024b). Nevertheless, resistance to sulfonamides, neomycin, actidione, polymyxin, nalidixic acid, vancomycin, and rifampicin has facilitated the development of selective media for isolating leptospires (Schönberg, 1981).…”