Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide-distributed, re-emerging zoonosis due to the large variety of wild and domestic animal species that can play the role of natural or accidental host. Currently, specific animal species play an important role as the reservoir for particular Leptospira serovars, although recent investigations have highlighted new host–pathogen interactions involved in Leptospira epidemiology. Furthermore, the constant modification of ecosystems and wildlife habitats and the constantly increasing number of animal species moving towards urban or peri-urban areas are increasing the possibility of direct or indirect contacts between wildlife and domestic animals; furthermore, the constant modification of animal leptospirosis also causes problems for human health. The studies published in this Special Issue have evidenced and confirmed the hidden role of a large variety of animal species, domestic and wild, in the leptospirosis epidemiology. They highlighted the necessity for continuous monitoring and large-scale surveillance studies to better understand this neglected and re-emerging zoonosis.
Highlights
Leptospira spp. is a Gram-negative bacterium belonging to Spirochetales order
The Leptospira epidemiology is closely related to the maintenance host species, generally linked to a specific Leptospira serovar; usually Icterohaemorrhagiae and Ballum serogroups are associated with rodents [6,7,8,9], Pomona and Tarassovi serogroups with pigs and wild boar [10,11,12,13], Bratislava serogroup with horses [14,15] and Sejroe serogroup with bovines and ovine [16,17]
To better understand the epidemiology of the Leptospira infection in wild and domestic animals, this Special Issue aims to bring together research studies related to investigating the role of these animals in leptospirosis epidemiology, as well as new prospective for treatment and prevention
Summary
Leptospira spp. is a Gram-negative bacterium belonging to Spirochetales order. Leptospira species, with more than 260 antigenically distinct serovars, have been grouped into pathogenic, intermediate, and saprophytic, with different levels of pathogenicity for animals and humans [1]. Leptospira species, with more than 260 antigenically distinct serovars, have been grouped into pathogenic, intermediate, and saprophytic, with different levels of pathogenicity for animals and humans [1]. The Leptospira epidemiology is closely related to the maintenance host species, generally linked to a specific Leptospira serovar; usually Icterohaemorrhagiae and Ballum serogroups are associated with rodents [6,7,8,9], Pomona and Tarassovi serogroups with pigs and wild boar [10,11,12,13], Bratislava serogroup with horses [14,15] and Sejroe serogroup with bovines and ovine [16,17].
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