Transmission Of Leptospirosis Research Articles

Bacteriological and Serological Investigation of Leptospirosis in Dogs and Pigs in Palau.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the pathogenic spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira. It is a public health concern in the Pacific Islands and is considered endemic in Palau. However, information on the genotypes and serotypes of causative Leptospira spp. in the country is limited. In this study, we isolated leptospires and detected antileptospiral antibodies in dogs and pigs. The isolates were characterized using a serological method and whole-genome sequencing. Leptospira interrogans was isolated from five of the 20 symptomatic dogs and one of the 58 healthy pigs. Their serogroups were identified as Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pyrogenes; however, the serogroup of one isolate could not be determined. Anti-Leptospira antibodies were detected in 14.4% (26/181) of the dogs and 20% (10/50) of the pigs. The reactive serogroups in dogs and pigs were almost identical, except for the Panama serogroup. Core genome multilocus sequence typing revealed that five of the six core genome sequence types (cgSTs) were newly identified in this study. The cgSTs from the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae isolates belonged to the same group as the Copenhageni and Icterohaemorrhagiae serovars isolated in other countries, whereas no similar cgSTs were identified in the Pyrogenes or unidentified serogroup strains. We demonstrated a high incidence of canine and porcine leptospirosis and identified new L. interrogans genotypes (cgSTs) circulating in Palau. Further investigations are needed to determine whether dogs and pigs serve as maintenance hosts for newly identified L. interrogans genotypes and whether they pose a risk of leptospirosis transmission to humans.

Identification of rodent species confirmed as the cause of leptospirosis disease, along with ecosystem distribution and environmental factors

Background: Leptospirosis outbreaks have been reported in various parts of the world, classifying it as a re-emerging infectious disease. Rats act as the main reservoir for Leptospira spp. bacteria. The Indonesian Ministry of Health reported 1,170 cases of leptospirosis with 106 deaths Case Fatality Rate (CFR 9.1%) in 2020, obtained from 8 provinces. Additionally, in 2021, there was a decrease in cases by 734, but with an increased CFR of 11.4%, with the largest contributors being Central Java and East Java. Objective: To determine the most dominant rodent species confirmed to cause leptospirosis and the distribution of ecosystems and environmental factors that are the dominant causes of leptospirosis. Method: This paper is a narrative literature review study. Articles were searched through online databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed using keywords leptospirosis, rats, ecosystem, and environmental factors, published within the last 5 years. Findings: The identification results showed that Bandicota indica was the most dominant rodent species infected with leptospirosis. This type of rat is a commensal species. Leptospirosis cases occurred in non-forest ecosystems near settlements and coastal areas near settlements. The dominant environmental factors associated with leptospirosis incidence were poor sanitation conditions, indiscriminate waste disposal behavior, and stagnant water. Conclusion: The identification results indicate that Bandicota indica is the most dominant rodent species infected with leptospirosis, being a commensal rat species in non-forest ecosystems near settlements and coastal areas near settlements. The dominant environmental factors associated with leptospirosis incidence include poor sanitation conditions, indiscriminate waste disposal behavior, and stagnant water. Novelty/Originality of this Study: The study's findings confirmed that non-forest and coastal ecosystems near settlements are significant reservoirs for Leptospira bacteria. Additionally, it highlighted the critical role of poor sanitation, indiscriminate waste disposal, and stagnant water as environmental factors contributing to the transmission of leptospirosis.

Fauna sinantrópica e silvestre no ciclo da leptospirose e impactos legais e forenses na “Saúde Única”

The term “synanthropic” qualifies animals that have adapted to living alongside humans, often involuntarily. Synanthropy is characterized by the potential transmission of diseases to humans. The One Health approach increasingly emphasizes the importance of veterinary medicine in animal and environmental healthcare, with a focus on human health. This review aims to identify, understand and discuss the impacts of synanthropic and wild fauna on animal, public and environmental health, as well as legal and forensic aspects within the framework of One Health. The challenges encompassing One Health challenge both veterinary medicine and the law. Veterinary expertise is a resource that can assist in legal matters relating to the environmental management of synanthropic and wild fauna. Humans exposed to synanthropic and wild animals are considered a risk factor for disease transmission. The presence of rodents in urban and rural areas generates economic and health problems as they transmit diseases directly or indirectly. The rodents involved in the transmission of leptospirosis are Rattus rattus, Rattus norvergicus and Mus musculus. Leptospirosis is a neglected disease transmitted both by rodents and wild animals. The understanding of this issue must communicate actions to public authorities to develop health and environmental education policies regarding this fauna in order to reduce, control or eliminate the risks of disease transmission. This review bases its information on the Pubmed platform, Google Scholar, articles and textbooks. Despite existing legislation, leptospirosis is still considered a neglected disease, and synanthropic and wild fauna represent a significant challenge to the One Health concept due to the lack of basic sanitation and poor urban infrastructure that facilitates the presence of this fauna, which cause health and economic problems for the population.

Seroreactivity against Leptospira spp. differs between community cats and privately-owned cats in Hong Kong

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease of major One Health significance and public health impact globally, with a wide host range including mammals, cetaceans and herpetofauna. This study aimed to determine Leptospira seroprevalence, risk factors for seroreactivity and prevalence of urinary Leptospira shedding among domestic cats in Hong Kong.Microagglutination testing of 22 Leptospira serovars from 20 serogroups was performed on 738 sera from outdoor free-roaming “community” cats (n = 391) and privately-owned (n = 347) cats. Urine from 268 community cats was tested for pathogenic Leptospira DNA by qPCR targeting lipL32. Potential risk factors associated with exposure were assessed using logistic regression.Overall Leptospira seroprevalence was 9.35%. Of 14 serogroups detected, Javanica (4.3%), Djasiman (2.3%) and Australis (1.5%) were most common. Seroreactivity was significantly higher among community (13.3%) than privately-owned cats (4.9%; OR 2.98 [95% CI 1.68–5.25], P < 0.001), especially to Javanica (7.65% of community cats versus 0.58% of privately-owned cats (P < 0.001). Antibody titres to all serogroups ranged from 1:100 to 1:6400 (median 1:200) and were highest for Javanica (median 1:800).Leptospira DNA was detected in urine from 12/268 community cats (4.48%; median load 6.42 × 102 copies/mL urine; range 1.40 × 101–9.63 × 104). One in three seroreactive community cats with paired urine and blood samples had leptospiruria. After adjusting for source, none of breed, sex, neuter status, age, district rodent infestation rate, serum alanine transaminase or creatinine values were associated with seroreactivity.Cats in Hong Kong are exposed to a diversity of Leptospira serogroups and can shed Leptospira silently in urine. The higher seroprevalence among outdoor free-roaming community cats highlights the importance of environmental drivers in leptospirosis transmission and risks of exposure for sympatric human populations. Gloves should be worn when handling feline urine to minimise the risk of zoonotic transmission from subclinically infected cats.

Host population structure and rare dispersal events drive leptospirosis transmission patterns among Rattus norvegicus in Boston, Massachusetts, US.

Leptospirosis (caused by pathogenic bacteria in the genus Leptospira ) is prevalent worldwide but more common in tropical and subtropical regions. Transmission can occur following direct exposure to infected urine from reservoir hosts, such as rats, or a urine-contaminated environment, which then can serve as an infection source for additional rats and other mammals, including humans. The brown rat, Rattus norvegicus , is an important reservoir of leptospirosis in urban settings. We investigated leptospirosis among brown rats in Boston, Massachusetts and hypothesized that rat dispersal in this urban setting influences the movement, persistence, and diversity of Leptospira . We analyzed DNA from 328 rat kidney samples collected from 17 sites in Boston over a seven-year period (2016-2022); 59 rats representing 12 of 17 sites were positive for Leptospira . We used 21 neutral microsatellite loci to genotype 311 rats and utilized the resulting data to investigate genetic connectivity among sampling sites. We generated whole genome sequences for 28 Leptospira isolates obtained from frozen and fresh tissue from some of the 59 Leptospira -positive rat kidneys. When isolates were not obtained, we attempted Leptospira genomic DNA capture and enrichment, which yielded 14 additional Leptospira genomes from rats. We also generated an enriched Leptospira genome from a 2018 human case in Boston. We found evidence of high genetic structure and limited dispersal among rat populations that is likely influenced by major roads and/or other unknown dispersal barriers, resulting in distinct rat population groups within the city; at certain sites these groups persisted for multiple years. We identified multiple distinct phylogenetic clades of L. interrogans among rats, with specific clades tightly linked to distinct rat populations. This pattern suggests L. interrogans persists in local rat populations and movement of leptospirosis in this urban rat community is driven by rat dispersal. Finally, our genomic analyses of the 2018 human leptospirosis case in Boston suggests a link to rats as the source. These findings will be useful for guiding rat control and human leptospirosis mitigation efforts in this and other urban settings.

DETEKSI YERSINIA PESTIS DAN PATOGEN ZOONOTIK LAINNYA PADA TIKUS DI DAERAH FOKUS PES DESA KAYUKEBEK KABUPATEN PASURUAN

Rats are known as carriers and transmissions of zoonotic diseases. About 60 types of zoonotic diseases that rats can transmit to humans. Some zoonotic diseases are Plague, Leptospirosis, Orthohantavirus infection, and Hepatitis E virus. This research aims to detect the bacteria Yersinia pestis, Leptospira, Hepatitis E virus, and Orthohantavirus in rats in Kayu Kebek Village, Pasuruan Regency. The research design used in this study is descriptive with a cross-sectional approach. The rats were captured for three days, two nights in the house, the neighborhood around the house, and the forest. The captured mice were identified as specimens of blood, spleen, kidneys, and liver. Detection of Yersinia pestis, Leptospira, and Hepatitis E is performed using PCR, while the detection of Orthohantavirus is performed using the ELISA method. A total of 45 mice were trapped, consisting of 2 genera and three species. The zoonotic pathogens detected were Leptospira and hepatitis E. Leptospira viruses were detected in Rattus tanezumi, Rattus tiomanicus, and Niviventer fluvescent. Hepatitis E virus is detected only in R. tanezumi. Transmission of leptospirosis and hepatitis E has the potential to occur in Kayu Kebek Village. Rat control is needed to prevent the transmission of leptospirosis and hepatitis E virus infection, and other zoonotic diseases transmitted by rats.

Detection of Antibodies for Pathogenic Leptospira in Wild Mammals and Birds from Southern Chile-First Record of Seropositivity in a Guiña (Leopardus guigna).

Leptospirosis is a neglected bacterial zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution that is present in different animal species. This epidemiological study determined the seroprevalence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in animals at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Puerto Montt, southern Chile, by sampling 60 animals belonging to three classes (birds, mammals, and reptiles). Diagnosis was performed using the microscopic agglutination test with a panel of eight serovars and serogroups. The results showed that 15 animals had anti-Leptospira antibodies, obtaining a seroprevalence of 25.00%, with Leptospira borgpetersenii serogroup Tarassovi presenting reactivity in 13 of the seropositive animals. Among the classes of mammals, chilla foxes (Lycalopex griseus) and pudus (Pudu puda) were seropositive. A guiña (Leopardus guigna) was also seropositive, which was described for the first time in mammals. Among the classes of birds, choroy parrots (Enicognathus leptorhynchus), bandurrias (Theristicus melanopis), and Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) were seropositive. Routine examinations to diagnose leptospirosis, perform epidemiological surveillance, and apply prevention and control measures are necessary, and additional research focusing on the One Health approach to explore the epidemiological role of different wild animal species in the maintenance and transmission of leptospirosis at the local and global levels are recommended.

Environmental and Occupational Factors Associated with Leptospirosis: A Systematic Review

BackgroundLeptospirosis is a neglected emerging zoonotic disease with a profound public health impact worldwide with higher burden of disease in resource-poor countries. The environmental and occupational exposures contribute to human and animal transmission, but the interaction was less explored. A deeper understanding of the critical environmental and occupational drivers in different contexts will provide useful information for disease control and prevention measures. ObjectiveThis review aimed to summarize the potential environmental and occupational risk factors associated with leptospirosis infection. MethodsFour databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, EBSCOhost) were searched for articles published from 2012 to 2021. Eligible articles were assessed using a checklist for assessing the quality of the studies. The quality of the articles was assessed based on the laboratory diagnosis approach and statistical analysis method. ResultsA total of 32 studies were included in this systematic review. Water-related risk factors such as natural water as the primary water source (AOR 1.8–18.28), water-related recreational activities (AOR 2.36–10.45), flood exposure (AOR 1.54–6.04), contact with mud (AOR 1.57–4.58) and stagnant water (AOR 2.79–6.42) were associated with increased risk of leptospirosis. Infrastructural deficiencies such as un-plastered house walls and thatched houses presented a higher risk (AOR 2.71–5.17). Living in low-lying areas (AOR 1.58–3.74), on clay loam soil (OR 2.72), agricultural land (OR 2.09), and near rubber tree plantations (AOR 11.65) is associated with higher risk of leptospirosis. Contact with rats (AOR 1.4–3.5), livestock (AOR 1.3–10.4), and pigs (AOR 1.54–7.9) is associated with an increased risk of leptospirosis. Outdoor workers (AOR 1.95–3.95) and slaughterhouse workers (AOR 5.1–7.5) have higher risk of leptospirosis. ConclusionThe environmental and occupational components related to water, infrastructure, landscape, agriculture, and exposed animals play an essential role in leptospirosis transmission. The magnitude of those risk factors differs with geographical region, climate factor, urbanization and population growth, and the country’s socioeconomic status.

Modeling the dynamics of leptospirosis in India.

Leptospirosis, a formidable zoonotic threat spawned by Leptospira, plagues tropical and subtropical realms. This study delves deep into tropical Indian states, namely, Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, unraveling the dynamics of leptospirosis through a comprehensive mathematical model that embraces temperature-driven growth rates of Leptospira. Sensitivity analysis and parameter estimation techniques fortified the model's accuracy, unraveling the factors shaping leptospirosis transmission. Notably, the numerical results highlight the significant impact of rainfall, fishing, climate, mining, agriculture, and cattle farming on leptospirosis prevalence in the endemic states of India. Finally, our study urges resolute preventive action to control and combat leptospirosis in India. Strengthening surveillance, impactful awareness campaigns, targeted interventions, and improved hygiene practices among high-risk individuals are vital. Embracing these proactive strategies will alleviate the burden of leptospirosis and enhance public health in India and beyond.

KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF LEPTOSPIROSIS AMONG MALAYSIAN POPULATION: A PILOT STUDY

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that poses a significant public health concern, particularly in tropical regions. Knowledge, awareness, and preventive practices (KAP) towards leptospirosis play a crucial role in safeguarding human health and mitigating the spread of the disease. To gain insights into the knowledge gaps and behavioural patterns towards leptospirosis among the Malaysian population, an online survey was conducted and randomly distributed through social media platforms. A total of 200 respondents participated in this study, where the majority belonged to young Malay adults (58.5%), and most resided in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Kelantan. Data from the survey found that 59% of the total respondents had limited specific knowledge and awareness of leptospirosis, while 44% demonstrated poor practices in preventing the transmission of leptospirosis. While this input generally reflects the knowledge and awareness of a certain age group of the respondents, there is a need to enhance their knowledge and awareness through effective strategies that will lead to a better understanding and practices towards the management and control of leptospirosis.

Differential expression of six cytokines in Rattus rattus exposed to leptospirosis: A comprehensive transcriptomic analysis

BackgroundRattus rattus are the main carriers of various zoonotic diseases including leptospirosis. Regrettably, information underlying the cytokine response of wild R. rattus upon leptospirosis infection is lacking. This study aims to understand the immune response presented by specifically the kidney and liver of R. rattus during leptospirosis infection. MethodologyHigh-throughput RNA-Sequencing technology was employed to discover the transcriptome alterations in the kidney and liver of R. rattus during natural infection. Both kidney and liver tissues from the healthy and infected rats were sequenced using the BGISEQ-500 sequencing platform. The GO and KEGG databases were utilized to functionally annotate the differentially expressed transcripts of the selected cytokines; TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, MIP-1α, and IFN-γ. ResultsA higher number of upregulated genes were signified in the kidney as compared to the liver during infection. Among the six selected cytokines, Interleukin-6 was found to be expressed during the early stage in the liver of R. rattus, while all the other six genes were upregulated during the late stage of leptospirosis in the kidney of R. rattus. The GO of the annotated genes was classified under inflammatory response and cellular response to lipopolysaccharide, while the KEGG pathway indicated cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling pathway. The upshots of this study correlated the different phases of cytokine response in different organs of R. rattus during leptospirosis infection. ConclusionOverall, these studies formulate a conceptual framework based on host and pathogen relationships of leptospirosis transmission patterns and the discovery of biomarkers in tracking the early stages of leptospires colonization.

An investigation of geographical clusters of leptospirosis during the outbreak in Pangandaran, West Java, Indonesia.

Leptospirosis is neglected in many tropical developing countries, including Indonesia. Our research on this zoonotic disease aimed to investigate epidemiological features and spatial clustering of recent leptospirosis outbreaks in Pangandaran, West Java. The study analysed data on leptospirosis notifications between September 2022 and May 2023. Global Moran I and local indicator for spatial association (LISA) were applied. Comparative analysis was performed to characterise the identified hotspots of leptospirosis relative to its neighbourhoods. A total of 172 reported leptospirosis in 40 villages from 9 sub-districts in Pangandaran District were analysed. Of these, 132 cases (76.7%) were male. The median age was 49 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 34-59 years). Severe outcomes including renal failure, lung failure, and hepatic necrosis were reported in up to 5% of the cases. A total of 30 patients died, resulting in the case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.4%. Moran's I analysis showed significant spatial autocorrelation (I=0.293; p=0.002) and LISA results identified 7 High-High clusters (hotspots) in the Southwest, with the total population at risk at 26,184 people. The hotspots had more cases among older individuals (median age: 51, IQR: 36-61 years; p<0.001), more farmers (79%, p=0.001) and more evidence of the presence of rats (p=0.02). A comprehensive One Health intervention should be targeted towards these high-risk areas to control the transmission of leptospirosis. More empirical evidence is needed to understand the role of climate, animals and sociodemographic characteristics on the transmission of leptospirosis in the area studied.

Leptospirosis and the Environment: A Review and Future Directions.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance with significant morbidity and mortality. However, the disease is frequently overlooked and underdiagnosed, leading to uncertainty of the true scale and severity of the disease. A neglected tropical disease, leptospirosis disproportionately impacts disadvantaged socioeconomic communities most vulnerable to outbreaks of zoonotic disease, due to contact with infectious animals and contaminated soils and waters. With growing evidence that Leptospira survives, persists, and reproduces in the environment, this paper reviews the current understanding of the pathogen in the environment and highlights the unknowns that are most important for future study. Through a systematic Boolean review of the literature, our study finds that detailed field-based study of Leptospira prevalence, survival, and transmission in natural waters and soils is lacking from the current literature. This review identified a strong need for assessment of physical characteristics and biogeochemical processes that support long-term viability of Leptospira in the environment followed by epidemiological assessment of the transmission and movement of the same strains of Leptospira in the present wildlife and livestock as the first steps in improving our understanding of the environmental stage of the leptospirosis transmission cycle.

Mathematical study of fractal-fractional leptospirosis disease in human and rodent populations dynamical transmission

In both industrialized and developing nations, leptospirosis is one of the most underdiagnosed and under-reported diseases. It is known that people are more likely to contract a disease depending on their employment habits and the environment they live in, which varies from community to community. The absence of global data for morbidity and mortality has contributed to leptospirosis' neglected disease status even though it is a life-threatening illness and is widely acknowledged as a significant cause of pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome. This study aims to examine the impact of rodent-borne leptospirosis on the human population by constructing and evaluating a compartmental mathematical model using fractional-order differential equations. The model considers both the presence of disease-causing agents in the environment and the rate of human infection resulting from interactions with infected rodents and the environment. Through this approach, the research investigates the dynamics and implications of leptospirosis transmission in the context of human-rodent interactions and environmental factors. We create a fractal-fractional model using the mittag-leffler kernel. The positivity and boundedness of solutions are first discussed. The model equilibria and fundamental reproduction number are then presented. With the use of the Lyapunov function method, the solutions are subjected to global stability analysis. The fixed-point theory is used to derive the fractional-order model's existence and uniqueness. Solutions are produced using a two-step Lagrange polynomial in the generalized form of the Mittag-Leffler kernel to explore the effect of the fractional operator with numerical simulations, which shows the influence of the sickness due to the effect of different parameters involved. Such a study will aid in the development of control strategies to combat the disease in the community and an understanding of the behavior of the Leptospira virus.

Analysis of Leptospirosis transmission dynamics with environmental effects and bifurcation using fractional-order derivative

Mathematical formulations are essential tool to show the dynamics that how various diseases spread in the community. Differential equations with fractional or integer order can be utilized to see the effect of the dynamics direct or indirect Leptospirosis transmission, which are analyzed with different aspects. A mathematical description and dynamical sketch of Leptospirosis with environmental effects have been studied as a result of the successful efforts of various writers. In this study, we analyzed the Leptospirosis model described using a nonlinear fractional-order differential equation that takes the environmental effects into consideration. The proposed fractional order system is investigated qualitatively as well as quantitatively to identify its stable position. Local stability of the Leptospirosis system is verified and test the system with flip bifurcation. Also system is investigated for global stability using Lyapunov first and second derivative functions. The existence, boundedness and positivity of the Leptospirosis is checked, which are the key properties for such of type of epidemic problem to identify reliable findings. Effect of global derivative is demonstrated to verify its rate of effects according to their sub-compartments. Solutions for fractional order system are derived with the help of advanced tool fractal fractional operator for different fractional values. Simulation are carried out to see symptomatic as well as a asymptomatic effects of Leptospirosis in the world wide, also show the actual behavior of Leptospirosis which will be helpful to understand the outbreak of Leptospirosis with environmental effects as well as for future prediction and control strategies.

The Existence of Leptospira interrogans on Rats and The Transmission Potency in Public Areas: School, Traditional Market, and Settlement in Yogyakarta

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacterial infection, Leptospira interrogans. Indonesia is known for being an endemic country of this disease and Yogyakarta Special Province has become one of the regions with high cases of Leptospirosis. There was lack of information on the L. interrogans prevalence on rats at the public areas, such as school and traditional market. This research was conducted to determine and predict the potential Leptospirosis transmission in public areas, especially in schools, traditional markets,. and the settlement of Yogyakarta. Wild rats were collected from several public places (elementary schools, traditional markets, and Settlement areas) by using single live traps. The rat's blood was centrifuged to obtain the serum. The serum was tested by using immunochromatography of Leptotek Lateral Flow. The collected rats and shrews were euthanized and then identified for the species and the morphological features. Total of 27 rats (67.5%) and shrews 13 (32.5%) were collected. There were six species of collected rats, namely Rattus argentiventer, Rattus norvegicus, Rattus tanezumi, Rattus tiomanicus, and Bandicota bengalensis, while the collected shrew species was Suncus murinus. The rats and shrews from traditional market were negative with L. interrogans, however the positive results was in elementary schools (14.28%), that were from R. norvegicus and S. murinus, moreover the positive infection also showed in the settlements (57.14%), that were from R. argentiventer, R. norvegicus, and R. tiomanicus. These findings indicated that school and settlement must be a concern for the leptospirosis transmission.

Epizootological and epidemiological aspects of leptospirosis in Ukraine for the period 2003–2022

Zoonotic leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira bacteria that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Animals, especially wild and domestic mammals, are reservoir hosts that carry and excrete the bacteria in their urine. A retrospective analysis of the incidence of leptospirosis in animals and humans in Ukraine from 2003 to 2022 was conducted based on reports from regional state laboratories of veterinary medicine and the Center for Public Health. GIS mapping was used to analyze and visualize the data. The incidence and prevalence of leptospirosis among different animal species, including farm, domestic and wild animals, were analyzed. These studies included a retrospective analysis of blood serum samples from different animal species for leptospirosis and analysis of the results to determine the level of seropositivity. The study analyzed a total of 6,543,934 samples, with an overall seropositivity rate of 3.3%. Among cattle, 4.1% of the samples were positive. For pigs, 2.1% were positive. Horses had a seropositivity rate of 7.9%, while dogs and cats had seropositivity rates of 17.5% and 13.1% respectively. Wild boars showed a positivity rate of 2.2%. The number of seropositive animals of different species in Ukraine showed different dynamics from 2003 to 2022. The highest number of positive cases was found among cattle, pigs and horses. However, the number of positive cases decreased significantly after 2015, which coincides with a significant reduction in the number of farm animals. Trends of increasing seropositivity among dogs and cats in the period 2007–2015 indicate that these species are also active carriers of Leptospira, as are the leading agricultural species. Wildlife species with stable seropositivity serve as both sources and reservoirs of Leptospira. Wild pigs are becoming the main bacterial carriers in all regions of Ukraine. There is a marked disproportion between the number of positive cases among farm animals and wildlife, indicating that seropositivity in these populations exists largely autonomously. A total of 7,937 people were infected in Ukraine between 2003 and 2022. Certain regions, such as Lviv, Kherson, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Vinnytsia, account for a larger share of the total number of cases, ranging from 4.8% to 7.3%. The incidence of human leptospirosis has fluctuated over the years, peaking at 473 cases in 2014, followed by a decline: 301 cases in 2015, 323 cases in 2016 and 330 cases in 2017, and in subsequent years the number of cases remained relatively stable, ranging from 142 to 295 cases per year. The study emphasizes the need to improve preventive measures and raise public awareness of the disease, especially in rural areas. It is important to adopt a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach involving collaboration between veterinary medicine, public health and environmental authorities to better understand and address the complexities of leptospirosis transmission and reduce its impact on animal and human health.

Pathogenic Leptospira Species Are Present in Urban Rats in Sydney, Australia.

Leptospirosis is an emerging disease among people and dogs in Sydney, Australia. However, the routes of Leptospira transmission in these cases, and in particular the possible role of rats as reservoirs of infection in Sydney, are unknown. Rats were collected within the City of Sydney Council area and their kidneys were tested for pathogenic Leptospira DNA by real-time (q)PCR. A subset of rats also had qPCR testing performed on whole blood and urine, and Microscopic Agglutination Testing (MAT) that included a panel of 10 Leptospira serovars from nine different Leptospira serogroups was performed on a subset of serum samples. Based on qPCR testing, the proportion of rats with Leptospira DNA in their kidneys was 9/111 (8.1%). qPCR testing of blood samples (n = 9) and urine (n = 4) was negative. None of the 10 serum samples tested MAT positive. A primary cluster of qPCR-positive locations was detected based on six infected rats, which partially overlapped with a previously identified cluster of canine leptospirosis cases in Sydney. These findings suggest that rats in Sydney might play a role in the transmission of leptospirosis to dogs and people. Further testing of rats in Sydney and investigation into other possible wildlife reservoirs of infection and environmental sources of leptospires are needed.

Leptospira Serovars Circulating Among Human, Cattle and Goats with Associated Risk Factors in Ngara and Kibondo Districts, North-Western Tanzania

Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease, prominent in north-western Tanzania where interactions among humans, livestock and wildlife is high. This study therefore, assessed Leptospira seroprevalence and associated risk factors by screening Leptospira serovars from blood sera of cattle, goats and humans in Ngara and Kibondo Districts using Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). Blood sera were positive for seven Leptospira serovars in which Sokoine, Sejroe and Grippotyhposa had higher seropositivity of ≥ 20.9%, whereas Leptospira serovars Kenya, Pomona, Lora, and Bataviae had seropositivity of &lt; 10%. Variation of seropositivity and seroprevalence between Ngara and Kibondo Districts was insignificant (p = 0.0718) but varied significantly between humans, goats and cattle (p = 0.0183). Leptospira serovars Sejroe and Grippotyphosa were present in humans, goats and cattle. Sokoine, Pomona and Bataviae were co-positive in humans and goats, while serovars Kenya and Lora were co-positive in humans and cattle, indicating the possibility of dualistic transmission of Leptospira serovars in the ecosystem. Suggested risk factors associated with acquiring Leptospira bacteria were drinking contaminated water, feeding contaminated food and farming in contaminated soils. Prevalence of Leptospira in the current study alerts for health and economic risks in north-western Tanzania, which requires intensive education programs on leptospirosis transmission and avoidance.&#x0D;

Evaluation of community knowledge and awareness of Leptospirosis among households, farmers and livestock keepers in Unguja, Zanzibar

Little is known of the leptospirosis in Zanzibar. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of leptospirosis among urban and peri-urban communities in Unguja. A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing semi-structured questionnaires from January to April 2022. Two hundred respondents were randomly selected (130 males and 70 females) aged between 18 and 89 years). Descriptive analysis was performed to determine the main trends of the knowledge and awareness, while χ2 analysis was conducted to identify associations between demographic characteristics with respondents’ knowledge and awareness. The majority of the respondents (64%) were not aware of theetiology of leptospirosis. However, a high percentage of respondents had a favorable attitude (68.6%) towards leptospirosis compared to knowledge and awareness (35%) and practices (29.3%). However, there was low level of knowledge and awareness among the livestockkeeper, farmers, fishermen and health care providers. The findings also demonstrated that males had a strong association with occupational physical activities, while educational level was associated with preventive practices. Living in urban or peri-urban appeared stronglyassociated with practice of the respondents. The results of this study showed a low level of community knowledge and awareness regardingthe etiology, mode of transmission and signs of leptospirosis among livestock keeper, farmers, fishermen and health care providers. Although most respondents had a favorable attitude, their low level of knowledge and poor practices indicate that supplementing a positive attitude with enhanced knowledge and awareness is necessary to promote individual engagement in preventive measures.