Serological, molecular and bacteriological approaches for detecting Leptospira sp. carrier rams maintained in semiarid conditions

Soares, Rafael Rodrigues; Barnabé, Nathanel Natércio da Costa; Nogueira, Diogo Pupo; Silva, Laís Samara Cavalcante da; Júnior, João Pessoa Araújo; Malossi, Camila Dantas; Ullmann, Leila Sabrina; Costa, Diego Figueiredo da; Silva, Maria Luana Cristiny Rodrigues; Higino, Severino Silvano dos Santos; Azevêdo, Sérgio Santos de; Alves, Clebert José

doi:10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105759

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…infection. Similar results were also found by our research group in sheep from Brazilian semiarid regions [ 10 , 12 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…In cattle, this disease is more associated with subfertility and early embryonic death when the serovars is host-adapted, such as serovar Hardjo [ 6 ]. Studies conducted in the semiarid region of Brazil have suggested that both domestic [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ] and wild animals [ 13 , 14 ] present high frequencies of Leptospira spp. This occurs despite the hot and dry climate conditions of this region, which are adverse to the survival of this bacterium in the environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…as well as short seroconversion periods [ 21 , 22 ]. Furthermore, surveys have found that the MAT had better performance with a cut-off point of 50, considering PCR and bacteriological culturing as gold standards [ 10 , 12 ]. Thus, the selection of an appropriate cut-off point for serology is relevant to increasing sensitivity and avoiding false-negative results.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bovine Leptospirosis in Caatinga Biome, Brazil: New Insights into Diagnosis and Epidemiology

et al. 2023

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Bovine leptospirosis causes economic losses and raises public health concerns. It is possible that there are peculiarities in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in regions with a semiarid climate, such as the Caatinga biome in Brazil, where the climate is hot and dry, and the etiological agent require alternative routes of transmission. This study aimed to close knowledge gaps to the diagnosis and epidemiology of Leptospira spp. infection in cows from the Caatinga biome, Brazil. Samples of the blood, urinary tract (urine, bladder and kidney) and reproductive tract (vaginal fluid, uterus, uterine tube, ovary and placenta) were collected from 42 slaughtered cows. Diagnostic tests included were the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial isolation. Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were found in 27 (64.3%) of the animals analyzed using MAT at a 1:50 dilution (cut-off 50), while 31 (73.8%) animals had at least one organ/fluid where the presence of Leptospira spp. DNA was identified, and 29 animals (69%) were positive at bacteriological culture. The highest sensitivity values for MAT were obtained at the cut-off point of 50. In conclusion, even under hot and dry climate conditions, it is possible that Leptospira spp. can spread through alternative routes such as venereal transmission; moreover, a cut-off of 50 is recommended for the serological diagnosis of cattle from the Caatinga biome.

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“…infection. Similar results were also found by our research group in sheep from Brazilian semiarid regions [ 10 , 12 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bovine Leptospirosis in Caatinga Biome, Brazil: New Insights into Diagnosis and Epidemiology

et al. 2023

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“…However, there was no evidence about this in donkeys until now. In addition, this route may contribute to the incidence of the infection by leptospires, since environmental factors do not influence it much [ 24 , 26 ]. In young animals, vertical transmission through milk or transplacental transmission can also be considered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strong Evidence of the Role of Donkeys in the Epidemiology of Leptospira spp. in Semiarid Conditions

et al. 2023

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Donkeys (Equus asinus) are historically known for their close relationship to humanity, which raises the need to study zoonotic diseases that affect them. In this perspective, leptospirosis stands out as a disease with an economic and public health impact, and its occurrence is facilitated in times of higher rainfall indexes, especially in large urban centers. In view of the scarcity of information about leptospirosis in donkeys, the objective of this study was to detect the presence of Leptospira spp. and anti-leptospiral antibodies in donkeys rescued by a zoonosis center located in the Caatiga biome, Brazilian semiarid region. Overall, 30 donkeys of both sexes, aged between 4 months and 15 years, were used, from which 64 serum samples were collected and submitted to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In addition, 64 samples of urine, vaginal and preputial fluid, in duplicates, were subjected to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microbiological. Sixteen (53.3%) animals tested positive in at least one diagnostic test, 12 (40%) of which were positive at MAT and seven (23.3%) in the molecular and bacteriological detection (urine, vaginal, and preputial fluid samples). This is the first report identifying donkeys infected with Leptospira spp. by molecular and bacteriological diagnosis in Brazil, and the first in the world to detect this agent in their genital fluids. The study also shows that donkeys are commonly exposed to leptospires in the Caatinga biome, and this constitutes a One Health-based concern, demonstrating the importance of broad studies where large numbers of humans and animals coexist when investigating zoonotic infections and when planning and implementing control measures for donkeys-associated leptospirosis.

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“…In a recent review, this evidence was compiled, and the "Bovine Genital Leptospirosis" (BGL) syndrome was suggested as a disease dissociated from renal infection, rather than a secondary infection [13]. After that, the study of genital infection (even in other animal species) was performed by ours and other groups to confirm its agents, understand pathogenesis, and improve diagnosis methods and control protocols [33][34][35][36].…”

Section: Pathogenesis Of Leptospiral Infection In Bovinementioning

confidence: 99%

Bovine Genital Leptospirosis: An Update of This Important Reproductive Disease

Aymée,

Mendes,

Lilenbaum

2024

Animals

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Bovine leptospirosis is an important disease that affects the reproductive sphere. Due to its high relevance for the bovine production chain in a worldwide scenario, a better understanding of the disease is crucial to reduce its negative impacts. The main agents are strains from the Sejroe serogroup, such as Hardjo and Guaricura, which lead to renal and genital infection. The genital colonization causes a chronic, silent, and subclinical reproductive syndrome, called Bovine Genital Leptospirosis (BGL). Embryonic death, estrus repetition, subfertility, and abortions are the main signs of BGL condition in females. However, although leptospires have been identified in semen, the manifestation of BGL in bulls remains to be clarified. The recommended diagnosis of BGL includes a serologic screening of the herds using the microscopic agglutination test followed by PCR of genital samples (cervicovaginal mucus, uterine fragment, or semen), especially from animals with reproductive failures. After the identification of carriers, control is carried out considering three steps: antimicrobial treatment of the carriers, environmental and reproductive management, and herd vaccination. Systematic testing, quarantine of newly arrived animals, and usage of antimicrobials in semen diluents or embryo culture media are other sanitary approaches that are encouraged to improve the control of the syndrome. Herein we discuss protocols for an efficient diagnosis and preventive procedures of BGL, which are fundamental to reducing the negative impact of the disease on cattle reproduction and its consequent economic hazards.

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Serological, molecular and bacteriological approaches for detecting Leptospira sp. carrier rams maintained in semiarid conditions

Cited by 14 publications

References 22 publications

Bovine Leptospirosis in Caatinga Biome, Brazil: New Insights into Diagnosis and Epidemiology

Bovine Leptospirosis in Caatinga Biome, Brazil: New Insights into Diagnosis and Epidemiology

Strong Evidence of the Role of Donkeys in the Epidemiology of Leptospira spp. in Semiarid Conditions

Bovine Genital Leptospirosis: An Update of This Important Reproductive Disease

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