Serosurvey of Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in rats captured from two zoos in Southern Brazil

Pellizzaro, Maysa; Conrado, Francisco de Oliveira; Martins, Camila Marinelli; Joaquim, Sâmea Fernandes; Ferreira, Fernando; Langoni, Hélio; Biondo, Alexander Welker

doi:10.1590/0037-8682-0138-2017

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Although not frequently reported, strains of L. noguchii have been described infecting a variety of animal hosts, including cattle (Barragan et al, ; Faine et al, ; Hamond et al, ; Martins et al, ; Zarantonelli et al, ), rats (Pellizzaro et al, ; Vieira et al, ) and bats (Ballados‐González et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular epidemiology of Leptospira noguchii reveals important insights into a One Health context

Loureiro

Jaeger

Azevedo

et al. 2019

Transbound Emerg Dis

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Leptospirosis presents a complex and dynamic epidemiology. Bovine leptospirosis has been described as a major infectious disease impairing reproductive efficiency. Although infections by Leptospira interrogans, L. santarosai and L. borgpetersenii are frequently reported in cattle, the presence of L. noguchii in these animals should not be neglected. In this study, we describe serological (MAT) and molecular characterization (rrs and secY gene sequencing, multilocus sequence typing [MLST] and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis [PFGE]) of eight L. noguchii strains obtained from slaughtered cows. Intraspecific genetic diversity was evaluated, and haplotype networks were constructed based on hosts and geographical localizations. Strains were characterized as belonging to serogroups Australis, Autumnalis and Panama, and molecular characterization showed a high heterogeneity of these strains. Ten different STs were found (including nine new STs and 39 novel alleles) as well as nine different pulsotypes. Two clonal complexes were found. Phylogenetic trees based on secY locus and concatenated MLST loci showed two main clusters, with sequences from the present study included in the first. In general, there was no relationship between the geographical origin and the secY phylogenetic clusters, as well as between secY phylogenetic clusters and serogroups. Molecular diversity indexes confirmed a high variability (H > 0.8). This high intraspecific variation observed may be related to differences in virulence, pathogenicity and antigenicity or even adaptability of the strains. In addition, haplotype networks clearly demonstrated the circulation of genotypes between humans and animals, confirming the zoonotic potential. The present study provides relevant data for the study of leptospirosis in the One Health context, where human, animal and environmental health is closely connected.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular epidemiology of Leptospira noguchii reveals important insights into a One Health context

Loureiro

Jaeger

Azevedo

et al. 2019

Transbound Emerg Dis

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“…They revealed that the frequency of Toxoplasma gondii in the Rattus norvegicus population in Argentina and China was 32.8% and 23.9%, respectively [24,25]. However, Pellizzaro et al in Brazil [8], Saki et al from Ahvaz province of Iran [10], Gennari from Brazil [9], and Cheng Yin from China [26] showed that the frequency of Toxoplasma gondii in Rattus population was 4.6%, 6%, 8.6%, and 3.2%, respectively. Generally, the high frequency of Giardia spp and Toxoplasma gondii in the Rattus population in Tehran is an important concern.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In urban areas, Rattus norvegicus act as a reservoir of zoonotic pathogens, especially zoonotic parasites, and hold a connection to various important hygienic problems; they are also responsible for human morbidity and mortality, worldwide [7]. Many of these zoonotic parasites including Leishmania spp, Giardia spp, Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Cryptosporidium spp are assumed to be endemic in Rattus norvegicus populations around the world [8,9,10,11]. Currently, approximately seventy-nine species of rodents have been recognized in Iran; among these previously identified rodents, Rattus norvegicus have shown greater frequency in the urban area and occupied widespread habitats in cities [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serosurvey and molecular detection of the main zoonotic parasites carried by commensal Rattus norvegicus populations in Tehran, Iran

Azimi

Pourmand

Fallah

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Rattus norvegicus are reservoirs of various zoonotic parasites that have become a global public health concern. Considering the distribution of Rattus norvegicus throughout Tehran, this study aims to assess the frequency of zoonotic parasites carried by commensal rodents in Tehran, Iran.Methods: The study considered five regions (North, South, West, East, and center) of Tehran as case studies. The serological method was used for detecting antibodies against Trichomonas vaginalis , Babesia spp, and Cryptosporidium spp using a commercial qualitative rat ELISA kit. The frequency of Toxoplasma gondii was surveyed by the conventional PCR method. Furthermore, nested PCR was used to detect Giardia spp and Leishmania spp in commensal Rattus norvegicus in Tehran.Results: Approximately, 76% of 100 Rattus norvegicus tested were infected with at least one zoonotic parasite, which demonstrates the significant frequency of parasites within the study areas. Seroreactivity against Trichomonas vaginalis , Babesia spp, and Cryptosporidium spp was detected in 5%, 0%, and 1% of Rattus norvegicus tested, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in 32 out of 100 (32%) Rattus norvegicus , and Leishmania spp and Giardia spp DNA were found in 18 out of 100 (18%) and 76 out of 100 (76%) Rattus norvegicus investigated, respectively.Conclusion: The findings indicate a wide geographical dissemination of Giardia spp, Toxoplasma gondii , and Leishmania spp DNA in Rattus norvegicus within five districts of Tehran. In contrast, other parasites such as Cryptosporidium spp infection rarely occurred in Rattus populations. No evidence for the circulation of Babesia spp was found in this study.

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“…We also identified both species from environmental samples suggesting the role of the environment in the spread of this pathogen. Strains of L. noguchii have been described infecting cattle [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ] rats [ 23 , 24 ] and bats [ 25 ]. Apart from animal infections, the zoonotic aspect of this species has been suggested.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular and Serological Prevalence of Leptospira spp. in Feral Pigs (Sus scrofa) and their Habitats in Alabama, USA

et al. 2020

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Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis and has been recognized as a re-emerging infectious disease in humans and a variety of wild and domestic animal species. In order to understand the prevalence and diversity of Leptospira spp. in feral pig populations of Alabama, we trapped 315 feral pigs in Bullock County east-central Alabama, and collected 97 environmental samples from riparian areas in Bullock County and Macon County east-central Alabama. Two previously published PCRs followed by DNA sequencing and BLASTn were performed to identify pathogenic Leptospira species in the kidney of feral pigs (3.2%, 10/315) as well as environmental samples collected from the habitats of feral pigs (2.1%, 2/97), but not in the whole blood samples (n = 276) or spleen (n = 51). An ELISA determined that 44.2% of serum samples (122/276) were antibody-positive for Leptospira. The identification of two pathogenic Leptospira species from environmental samples and the high sero-positivity in feral pigs suggests potential pathogen shedding from feral pigs to environments, and to humans and domestic animals. In order to better understand the risk to human health associated with feral swine presence, further studies are warranted to explore the interrelationship between Leptospira spp. shedding in the urine of feral pigs and bacterial culture to explore pathogenicity. Multi-locus sequencing typing (MLST) and microscopic agglutination tests (MAT) should be performed in future studies to make a definite determination of pathogenic Leptospira in feral pigs in Alabama.

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Serosurvey of Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in rats captured from two zoos in Southern Brazil

Cited by 15 publications

References 14 publications

Molecular epidemiology of Leptospira noguchii reveals important insights into a One Health context

Molecular epidemiology of Leptospira noguchii reveals important insights into a One Health context

Serosurvey and molecular detection of the main zoonotic parasites carried by commensal Rattus norvegicus populations in Tehran, Iran

Molecular and Serological Prevalence of Leptospira spp. in Feral Pigs (Sus scrofa) and their Habitats in Alabama, USA

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