High prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira in alien American mink (Neovison vison) in Patagonia

Macarena Barros,Gonzalo Medina-Vogel,Leonardo Sáenz,Lisette Lapierre,Camila Nuñez

doi:10.1186/s40693-014-0019-x

Macarena Barros, Gonzalo Medina-Vogel + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40693-014-0019-x

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Abstract

Background: Leptospirosis is an important zoonosis with worldwide distribution caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The North American mink (Neovison vison) has an important role in the environmental contamination with Leptospira, as minks live in aquatic environments and are the predators of rodents. Findings: Blood and kidney samples were obtained from 57 minks in Southern Chile 39° S to 45° S. Pathogenic species of Leptospira were detected by PCR on 31/57 minks. To determine the species, we sequenced the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene on nine of the positive samples. We predicted two pathogenic species: Leptospira interrogans (five samples) and Leptospira borgpetersenii (four samples). Conclusions: This study showed that the American mink presents pathogenic species of Leptospira and confirm important environmental contamination of Patagonian rivers and lakes with pathogenic Leptospira.

Highlights

Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis in the world
This study showed that the American mink presents pathogenic species of Leptospira and confirm important environmental contamination of Patagonian rivers and lakes with pathogenic Leptospira
Leptospires can persist in natural environments for long periods of time; while this largely depends on the ability of the bacteria to adapt to a wide range of animals, the pathogen can survive in water as well (Smith and Zochowski 2011)

Summary

Introduction

Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis in the world. Usually, it is transmitted between wild domestic mammals and humans through contaminated water or direct exposure to urine of infected animals. Studies on leptospirosis in Chile have reported a high prevalence of infection: 37% in dogs, 88.7% in cattle, 24.9% in sheep, 7.1% in horses, and 69.9% in swine; see review by (Zunino and Pizarro 2007). Only a few studies have investigated the prevalence of Leptospira spp. in wild animals.

Results

Conclusion