Fatal Rodentborne Leptospirosis in Prison Inmates, South Africa, 2015

Naidoo, Kovashnee; Moseley, Mark; McCarthy, Kerrigan; Chingonzoh, Ruvimbo; Lawrence, Charlene Ann; Setshedi, Grace M.; Frean, John; Rossouw, Jennifer

doi:10.3201/eid2605.191132

Cited by 15 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Although the prevalence of infection in Rattus spp. varies widely in Africa (4), the prevalence (44%, 75/171) identi ed here, and in a previous study undertaken in Cape Town (7), are amongst the highest identi ed in similar contexts in the region. For example, the prevalence noted in this surveillance study is similar to that identi ed in surveillance-based sampling undertaken in urban Antananarivo in Madagascar (49%, 47/96) (26) while the prevalence (67%, 8/12) identi ed in R. norvegicus during an outbreak in Cape Town (7) is similar to that identi ed during an outbreak investigation (68%, 17/25) undertaken in Reunion Island (27).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

“…in Johannesburg is notable given the widely recognised hostpathogen association between Rattus spp. and serogroups in this species (21) and recent evidence that L. interrogans is found in R. norvegicus in South Africa (7). Even where studies have demonstrated signi cant levels of L. borgpetersenii infection in Rattus spp., L. interrogans was the more commonly detected species (20).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…infections were detected using a diagnostic real-time PCR targeting 300bp of the lfb1 gene and incorporating melt curve analysis to identify infecting Leptospira species (10). As the standard lfb1 primers may underestimate the prevalence of L. borgpetersenii infections and L. interrogans-L. borgpetersenii mixed infections may occur (11), samples which initially tested negative, as well as samples (n=12) from Cape Town, eight of which had previously been identi ed as infected with L. interrogans (7), were retested using a L. borgpetersenii species-speci c forward primer (11). All real-time PCR assays were performed as previously described (7,11).…”

Section: Leptospira Detection and Prevalence Estimationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As the standard lfb1 primers may underestimate the prevalence of L. borgpetersenii infections and L. interrogans-L. borgpetersenii mixed infections may occur (11), samples which initially tested negative, as well as samples (n=12) from Cape Town, eight of which had previously been identi ed as infected with L. interrogans (7), were retested using a L. borgpetersenii species-speci c forward primer (11). All real-time PCR assays were performed as previously described (7,11). Prevalence estimates and logit con dence intervals were estimated using the binom package (https://cran.r-project.org/package=binom) and mapped using the ggmap package (https://cran.r-project.org/package=ggmap).…”

Section: Leptospira Detection and Prevalence Estimationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most appropriate substitution models as determined by model test in MEGA7 (15) were used for each locus. Multi-locus analyses were run using a chain length of 1x10 7 and sampled every 1x10 3 runs with a burn-in of 10%. TRACER v1.7.1 (17) was used to verify that the effective sample size (ESS) was greater than 200 and TREEANNOTATOR v2.6.0 was used to generate a maximum clade credibility tree using mean node heights annotated by posterior probabilities greater than 0.9.…”

Section: Phylogenetic Analyses Of Rattus Spp Cyt B Sequences and Lepmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multi-locus sequence analyses reveal a clonal L. borgpetersenii genotype in a heterogeneous invasive Rattus spp. community across the City of Johannesburg, South Africa

Moseley

Naidoo

Bastos

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background Rattus spp. are frequently implicated as key reservoir hosts for leptospirosis, one of the most common, but neglected, bacterial zoonoses in the world. Although leptospirosis is predicted to be a significant public health threat in Africa, studies from the continent are limited. Methods Rattus spp. (n=171) were sampled (January-May 2016) across the City of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest inland metropole. Rattus spp. genetic diversity was evaluated by full length (1140 bp) cyt b sequencing of 42 samples. For comparison, a further 12 R. norvegicus samples collected in Cape Town, South Africa’s largest coastal metropole, were also genotyped. Leptospira infections were identified and genotyped using real-time PCR and multi-locus (lfb1, secY, lipL41) DNA sequencing. Results Five R. norvegicus haplotypes were identified across Johannesburg, four of which have not previously been detected in South Africa, and one in Cape Town. Across Johannesburg we identified a Leptospira spp. infection prevalence of 44% (75/171) and noted significant differences in the prevalence between administrative regions within the metropole. Multi-locus sequence analyses identified a clonal genotype consistent with L. borgpetersenii serogroup Javanica (serovar Ceylonica).Discussion The prevalence of infection identified in this study is amongst the highest detected in Rattus spp. in similar contexts across Africa. Despite the complex invasion history suggested by the heterogeneity in R. norvegicus haplotypes identified in Johannesburg, a single L. borgpetersenii genotype was identified in all infected rodents. The lack of L. interrogans in a rodent community dominated by R. norvegicus is notable given the widely recognised host-pathogen association between these species and evidence for L. interrogans infection in R. norvegicus in Cape Town. It is likely that environmental conditions (cold, dry winters) in Johannesburg may limit the transmission of L. interrogans. Spatial heterogeneity in prevalence suggest that local factors, such as land use, influence disease risk in the metropole. Conclusion In South Africa, as in other African countries, leptospirosis is likely underdiagnosed. The high prevalence of infection in urban rodents in Johannesburg suggest that further work is urgently needed to understand the potential public health risk posed by this neglected zoonotic pathogen.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Leptospira Detection and Prevalence Estimationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Leptospira Detection and Prevalence Estimationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Phylogenetic Analyses Of Rattus Spp Cyt B Sequences and Lepmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Multi-locus sequence analyses reveal a clonal L. borgpetersenii genotype in a heterogeneous invasive Rattus spp. community across the City of Johannesburg, South Africa

Moseley

Naidoo

Bastos

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Risk factors for toxocariasis during incarceration: the One Health intervention approach

Santarém,

Pinto,

de Souza Filho

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Despite potential exposure to soil-transmitted helminths, especially when stray dogs and cats are present, toxocariasis in inmate populations remains to be established. Accordingly, the present study assessed the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of toxocariasis at the Women's State Penitentiary of Parana, Brazil. A total of 234/370 (63.2%; 95% CI 58.2–68.0) women inmates and 28/87 (32.2%; 95% CI 23.3–42.6) correctional officers were seropositive for anti-Toxocara spp. IgG by ELISA, with inmates 2.62-fold more likely positive (p = 0.00000026). The univariate model has identified that non-white (OR = 1.58, p = 0.047) and older than 39 years (OR = 1.28, p = 0.032) inmates were associated with mild but significant odds for seropositivity. Elementary or higher educational level was considered a protective factor for seropositivity. The presence of Toxocara spp. eggs was observed in 10/15 (66.7%) collected soil samples by centrifuge-flotation in Zinc Sulfate, and molecular analysis by PCR identified only Toxocara cati in these eggs. An intervention program was established with regular trap-neuter-release, with gradual removal for adoption (donation campaigns), treatment, and euthanasia when necessary (particularly due to advanced sporotrichosis). In addition, an educational awareness agenda was proposed, aiming to reduce soil contamination and accidental intake by the incarcerated population. A total of 40 feral cats were trapped, 20 males and 20 females, mostly adults. After trapping, 36 cats were neutered, treated, and microchipped in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) at the Federal University of Paraná. Five trapped feral cats were euthanized, four diagnosed with advanced sporotrichosis, and one already neutered cat (not herein) with complications due to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Female inmates presented higher seroprevalence for Toxocara spp. antibodies when compared to correctional officers, significantly associated with age, self-declared ethnicity (non-white), and lack of formal education. Despite the non-natural scenario of a state penitentiary, the One Health approach of Toxocara spp. has highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the study and its relevance in understanding the complex interactions between human, animal, and environmental factors, particularly impacting female inmates. Further studies should establish the rate of inmate infection over time while deprived of liberty.

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Incidence and distribution of human leptospirosis in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, (2010-2019): A retrospective study

Gizamba

Paul

Dlamini

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonosis of global importance. In South Africa, the infection is an underreported public health concern, with limited information on its incidence and distribution. This study aimed to determine the incidence of human leptospirosis from 2010 to 2019 in Western Cape Province (WPC), and to compare the incidence based on seasonal and demographic factors. Methods A retrospective study was conducted with data on leptospirosis diagnoses by sex, age, season, and year in WCP obtained from the National Health Laboratory Services. With the provincial population sizes as the denominator, the incidence of leptospirosis was estimated and expressed as cases per 100,000 population. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate the effect of sex, season, and year on the incidence of leptospirosis. Results A total of 254 cases of leptospirosis were reported between 2010 and 2019, with the highest number of cases being in 2015. The annual incidence ranged between 0.15 and 0.66/100,000 population with a 10-year average incidence of 0.40/100,000 population. The incidence was higher among males than in females (0.55 vs. 0.25/ 100,000 population; incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2.2, 95% CI: 1.66,3.03). The 18-44 age cohort and had the highest average incidence (0.56/100,000 population), while the less or equal to 17 age cohort had the lowest incidence (0.07/100,000 population). The 18-44 (IRR 8.0, 95% CI: 4.65,15.15) and the greater or equal to 45 (IRR 7.4, 95% CI: 4.17,14.17) age cohorts were more at risk of infection compared to the less or equal to 17 age cohort. The average incidence of the infection was similar among seasons and there was no significant association between season and incidence of leptospirosis. Conclusions The results highlight that leptospirosis is an important zoonosis within the province disproportionately affecting males and the productive age demographic groups. These findings should enhance targeted prevention and provoke further investigation on the importance of environmental and socioeconomic factors on leptospirosis burden.

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Fatal Rodentborne Leptospirosis in Prison Inmates, South Africa, 2015

Abstract: Her research interests include the epidemiology of zoonotic and foodborne diseases and drug-resistant enteric infections. References

Cited by 15 publications

References 8 publications

Multi-locus sequence analyses reveal a clonal L. borgpetersenii genotype in a heterogeneous invasive Rattus spp. community across the City of Johannesburg, South Africa

Multi-locus sequence analyses reveal a clonal L. borgpetersenii genotype in a heterogeneous invasive Rattus spp. community across the City of Johannesburg, South Africa

Risk factors for toxocariasis during incarceration: the One Health intervention approach

Incidence and distribution of human leptospirosis in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, (2010-2019): A retrospective study

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