First isolation of Leptospira interrogans from the arboreal squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus introduced in Argentina

Abstract

We isolated Leptospira strains from renal tissue samples of Asiatic red-bellied squirrels Callosciurus erythraeus, captured in Argentina. In December 2008, we captured 34 squirrels in the province of Santa Fe during a short control campaign, which were screened for Leptospira spp. by direct immunofluorescence assays and isolation attempts in renal tissue samples. A prevalence of 38% of Leptospira spp. was obtained by direct immunofluorescence. The isolates, genotyped by the MLVA, were identified as L. interrogans Canicola (N¼ 2) and L. interrogans Icterohaemorraghiae (N¼ 1), showing an identical genetic profile to the reference strains Hond Utrech IV (serovar Canicola, serogroup Canicola) and M20 (serovar Copenhageni, serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae), respectively. Our study shows for the first time that the red-bellied squirrel is a renal carrier of Leptospira interrogans and might act as a reservoir of leptospirosis both in native range and areas of introduction within several European countries, Japan and Argentina. The close association of this introduced squirrel species with humans and domestic animals may increase the probability of disease transmission, particularly in favourable environments.

Primer informe deLeptospira interrogansen el roedor sigmodontinoScapteromys aquaticus

“…, Mus musculus y Callosciurus erythraeus ) (3,16,17) y anticuerpos contra leptospiras en los sigmodontinos Akodon azarae, Holochilus brasiliensis y Oligoryzomys flavescens (3). A escala nacional, se ha notificado la presencia de leptospiras patógenas en Rattus spp., M. musculus, A. azarae y O. flavescens capturados en las provincias de Buenos Aires (6,16,17), Entre Ríos (17) y Corrientes (18).…”

Insight into the Epidemiology of Leptospirosis: A Review of Leptospira Isolations from “Unconventional” Hosts

“…However, few data are present in the literature about the role of squirrels and the largest rodents, capybara, and porcupine, in the leptospirosis epidemiology. Among squirrels ( Table 1 ), Ballum and Grippotyphosa serovars were isolated from fox squirrels ( Sciurus niger ) [ 100 , 101 ], while Grippotyphosa serogroup from Southern flying squirrel ( Glaucomys volans ) [ 102 ], serogroup Javanica from Pallas’s squirrel ( Callosciurus flavimanus ) [ 103 ] and serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola from red-bellied tree squirrel ( Callosciurus erythraeus ) [ 104 ]. All of these studies highlighted the role of squirrels as renal carriers, although their role in epidemiology remains unknown.…”

Squirrels and Transmission of Leptospirosis: Awareness and Perception of the University of Ibadan Main Campus Residents, Nigeria

“…They are important reservoir hosts or carrier animals and their infection may be associated with varying degrees of renal disease (Dirsmith et al, 2013). Since leptospira have been detected in some species of squirrel (Montes Aliaga et al, 2011;Dirsmith et al, 2013;Gozzi et al, 2013;Mosallanejad et al, 2016), human transmission is therefore plausible being a zoonotic disease and also considering human-animal interaction. Very few data exist in the literature as regards the role of squirrels in the epidemiology of leptospirosis (Cilia et al, 2021) especially in developing countries like Nigeria (Ajayi et al, 2017) while very little or no information exists about the knowledge of squirrels as carrier animals for leptospirosis within the University of Ibadan.…”