Identification of Pathogenic Leptospira Species in the Urogenital Tract of Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) From the Amazon River Delta Region, Brazil

Abstract

In the current context of deforestation and fire in the Amazon, buffaloes could be a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for cattle production in the region, as they can convert low-quality foods and be raised in floodplain areas. However, little is known about the reproductive diseases that affect these animals; thus, the purpose of this study was to perform the molecular characterization of Leptospira spp. in the urogenital tract of water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) raised in the Amazon River Delta region in Brazil. Samples were collected from 114 kidneys, 204 ovaries, and 160 uterine swabs of slaughtered buffaloes in the Macapá microregion of Amapá State (Brazil) and were subjected to PCR to detect bacterial DNA. Positive amplicons were sequenced to identify Leptospira species. Among the total samples, 11/473 were PCR positive (2.3%), including 10 kidney samples and one uterine swab sample. DNA sequencing identified two pathogenic species from the kidney samples: L. interrogans, accounting for 60.0% (6/10) of these samples, and L. borgpetersenii, accounting for 20.0% (2/10), while 20.0% (2/10) were identified only at the genus level. The bacterium in the uterine swab sample was identified as L. interrogans with genetic proximity to strains belonging to the serovar Hardjo. This is the first report of leptospires species identified in buffaloes from the Amazon River Delta region and revealed that these animals may be carriers of different pathogenic Leptospira species, similar to bovines, including showing genital colonization.

Serological frequency of Leptospira spp. in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Paraná state, Brazil

“…The high prevalence found in this study shows that leptospirosis is present in infecting buffaloes in the state of Paraná and may be related to management, environmental conditions, herd health status, lack of vaccination and routine diagnosis or control, and failure to treat or dispose of seropositive animals (Higino et al 2012). This demands attention regarding public health since these animals are used as a source of meat or milk and have contact with humans (Guedes et al 2020a).…”

“…Leptospirosis in buffaloes has been reported in several countries through serological studies that demonstrated different prevalences (Konrad et al 2013, Alamuri et al 2019, Olmo et al 2019, Guedes et al 2020a). The frequency of leptospirosis in buffaloes in the state of Paraná found in the present study was 77.17% (213/276), a high result close to the 80% (164/205) found by Viana et al (2009) in Pará and 70.58% (216/306) found by Carvalho et al (2015) in Maranhão.…”

“…Buffaloes are animals that easily adapt to different geoclimatic conditions and are known for their rusticity (Viana et al 2009, Guedes et al 2020a). However, knowledge about diseases that negatively affect their production, reproduction and factors that directly influence the economic viability of the production of these animals becomes necessary (Viana et al 2009, Contreras et al 2012).…”

Leptospirosis genital incidental en machos Bubalus bubalis del estado Portuguesa, Venezuela

“…Se conoce parcialmente la patogenia de la leptospirosis en B. bubalis, sin embargo, es probable que se produzcan problemas reproductivos similares a los vacunos, como abortos, infertilidad y disminución de la producción láctea [6,10]. La susceptibilidad a la infección también es dependiente de la edad, encontrándose más animales positivos a la prueba serológica estándar de aglutinación microscópica (MAT) en animales adultos [4,25].…”