Abstract
BackgroundLeptospirosis is one of the most important neglected tropical bacterial diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, very little is known about the circulating etiological agents of leptospirosis in this region. In this study, we describe the serological and molecular features of leptospires isolated from 104 leptospirosis patients in Guadeloupe (n = 85) and Martinique (n = 19) and six rats captured in Guadeloupe, between 2004 and 2012.Methods and FindingsStrains were studied by serogrouping, PFGE, MLVA, and sequencing 16SrRNA and secY. DNA extracts from blood samples collected from 36 patients in Martinique were also used for molecular typing of leptospires via PCR. Phylogenetic analyses revealed thirteen different genotypes clustered into five main clades that corresponded to the species: L. interrogans, L. kirschneri, L. borgpetersenii, L. noguchi, and L. santarosai. We also identified L. kmetyi in at least two patients with acute leptospirosis. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that this species has been identified in humans. The most prevalent genotypes were associated with L. interrogans serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae and Copenhageni, L. kirschneri serovar Bogvere, and L. borgpetersenii serovar Arborea. We were unable to identify nine strains at the serovar level and comparison of genotyping results to the MLST database revealed new secY alleles.ConclusionsThe overall serovar distribution in the French West Indies was unique compared to the neighboring islands. Typing of leptospiral isolates also suggested the existence of previously undescribed serovars.
Highlights
Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonosis with a worldwide distribution
The overall serovar distribution in the French West Indies was unique compared to the neighboring islands
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are over 1,700,000 severe cases of leptospirosis worldwide, with an higher incidence in impoverished populations in developing countries and tropical regions [1,2,3]
Summary
Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonosis with a worldwide distribution. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are over 1,700,000 severe cases of leptospirosis worldwide, with an higher incidence in impoverished populations in developing countries and tropical regions [1,2,3]. Leptospirosis is found in rural regions because of the higher risk of exposure to animal reservoirs [5,6] and in urban slums where inadequate sanitation provides the conditions for rat-borne transmission of the disease [7,8]. Leptospirosis is one of the most important neglected tropical bacterial diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean. Very little is known about the circulating etiological agents of leptospirosis in this region.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
