Leptospirosis at human-animal-environment interfaces in Latin-America: drivers, prevention, and control measures

Abstract

Leptospirosis is one of the main re-emerging zoonotic diseases with a worldwide distribution, mainly in regions with hot or tropical climates. It is caused by the spirochetal bacteria of the genus Leptospira, which, in their pathogenic life forms, causes asymptomatic to severe infections in humans and animals. Animal-to-human transmission occurs most frequently in occupationally exposed groups and in travelers. However, leptospirosis also represents a disease associated with poverty and low sanitation environments, in rural and urban communities, in close contact with companion animals and livestock. A search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google scholar databases using query terms related to Leptospira/leptospirosis, reported during 1990-2020. This review focuses on the description of biologic and socioenvironmental drivers that influence the occurrence of the disease in humans. Leptospirosis is found at the human-animal-environment interfaces, and represents a challenge for public and animal health, and food production; hence, improving the strategies for prevention control and surveillance in Latin-American countries is critical, as one of the regions most affected by the disease.