Insights into Leptospira spp. infection in pet cats in Croatia: Clinical, serological and molecular findings with emphasis on the potential important role of serogroup Pomona.

Leptospirosis, a globally re-emerging zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp., poses a significant threat to public health. Leptospirosis in cats is often neglected due to its high underdiagnosis. Therefore, the role of cats in disease transmission and bacterial maintenance in the environment remains unclear. For this study, 54 serum samples, 54 urine samples and 27 EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples from pet cats presenting to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital due to health problems were used. The serum samples were tested for antibodies against 12 pathogenic serovars of Leptospira spp. using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). EDTA-anticoagulated blood and urine samples were tested for the lipL32 gene of pathogenic Leptospira spp. by conventional (PCR) and real-time (qPCR) polymerase chain reaction. Agglutinating antibodies were detected in 18.52% (10/54) of the sera with a titre range of 1:50 to 1:12800. The most common serogroup was Pomona, followed by Sejroe, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Australis and Javanica. Leptospira spp. DNA was found in 1.85% (1/54) of the urine samples, while all EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples were negative. A statistically significant difference in seropositivity regarding lifestyle was found between outdoor/indoor and indoor-only cats, while the presence of another cat in the household significantly increased the likelihood of seropositivity. Cats with immunocompromising conditions showed a significantly increased risk of seropositivity, especially those undergoing immunosuppressive treatment. In addition, respiratory signs and changes in lung structure associated with the presence of leptospiral antibodies, and these cats were more likely to be infected with the Pomona serogroup. Moreover, cats with anaemia, leucocytosis, and thrombocytopenia were significantly more likely to have antibodies against Leptospira spp., while seropositive cats had significantly lower urine-specific gravity compared to seronegative cats. The results underline the importance of raising awareness of feline leptospirosis in veterinary care and recognising pet cats as potential carriers of leptospires. Further research is needed to clarify the specific role of the Pomona serogroup as a potentially highly evolutionary drifting serogroup in terms of pathogenicity and to clarify the zoonotic potential of infected cats, which is crucial for the implementation of effective public health measures and veterinary interventions.

Benvin I ，Fitz D ，Mojčec Perko V ，Maurić Maljković M ，Đurić V ，Habuš J ，Štritof Z ，Perharić M ，Hađina S ，Zečević I ，Turk N ... -  《-》

Leptospira seroprevalence and associated risk factors among slaughterhouse workers in Western Bahr El Ghazal State, South Sudan.

Leptospirosis is a neglected re-emerging and occupational zoonotic disease worldwide. In Africa, contact with livestock is postulated as a potential source of environmental contamination and a source of human Leptospira exposure, though pathways remain unknown. Recently, we confirmed Leptospira exposure and shedding among slaughtered cattle in Western Bahr El Ghazal. In the current study, we sought to determine corresponding occupational leptospiral seropositivity, associated risk factors and the prevalence of febrile illness among slaughterhouse workers. Between 27th February and 30th March 2023, we collected blood and interviewed 250 consenting slaughterhouse workers of the same facilities from which the cattle samples were collected. The workers were screened for leptospiral antibodies using the Microscopic agglutination test (MAT), based on a panel of 12 including those previously reported in livestock in South Sudan and the East African Region. Of the 250 participants, 16 were seropositive 16/250, (6.4%, 95% CI = 3.2-10.2). Two seropositive individuals 0.8% (2/250) had MAT titers ≥ 800, indicative of probable recent leptospiral infection. Moreover, 42.4% (106/250) of the respondents reported experiencing fever in the past one month and 36.0% (90/250) sought medical attention. Among those seeking medical care for febrile illnesses, diagnostic tests revealed 9.2% (23/250) with malaria, 7.6% (19/250) with typhoid, 16.8% (42/250) with both malaria and typhoid coinfections, 1.6% (4/250) with brucellosis, and no cases of leptospirosis had been considered. Most seropositive individuals reacted to serovar L. borgpetersenii Tarassovi 2.4% (6/250) and L. interrogans sv Australis 2.4% (6/250). The factors associated with seropositivity included flaying, with persons who flay animals having 14.9 times, (95% CI, 2.5-88.9) greater odds of being seropositive than persons who do not flay animals (P = 0.003), people who wore an apron/overall were 10.6 times (95% CI, 1.6-67.6) more likely to be seropositive than people who did not wear an apron/overall (P = 0.012). An increase in the number of carcasses handled per day by one increases the odds of exposure by 2.7 times (95% CI, 1.6-4.5), (P = 0.001). Finding seropositive workers in cattle slaughter facilities in Western Bahr El Ghazal, South Sudan, and similar serogroups as previously found in the cattle slaughtered at these facilities implies activities like animal slaughter that bring humans into close contact with animals could be one pathway for human Leptospira exposure in South Sudan. This could also highlight leptospirosis as a potential public health threat to those in frequent contact with cattle, including farmers, those in animal transportation, and veterinarians. The role of leptospirosis in cases of undifferentiated fever in South Sudan may also be worth investigating, especially in cases where occupational exposure is suspected. Further research including animals, the general public, farmers, and hospitalized patients is proposed to fully understand the burden of human leptospirosis. Including the serovar and serogroup Tarassovi and Australis in future vaccine development and serodiagnostic panels for South Sudan is highly recommended.

Onafruo D ，Dreyfus A ，Erume J ，Kankya C ，Jubara A ，Kokas I ，Odoch T ，Munyeme M ，Alinaitwe L ，Kitale E ，Marin P ，Sabbath E ，Klein J ... -  《PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases》

Defining the optimum strategy for identifying adults and children with coeliac disease: systematic review and economic modelling.

Elwenspoek MM ，Thom H ，Sheppard AL ，Keeney E ，O'Donnell R ，Jackson J ，Roadevin C ，Dawson S ，Lane D ，Stubbs J ，Everitt H ，Watson JC ，Hay AD ，Gillett P ，Robins G ，Jones HE ，Mallett S ，Whiting PF ... -  《-》

Maximizing the chances of detecting pathogenic leptospires in mammals: the evaluation of field samples and a multi-sample-per-mammal, multi-test approach.

Tulsiani SM ，Graham GC ，Dohnt MF ，Burns MA ，Craig SB ... -  《-》

Molecular and serological detection of acute canine leptospirosis and associated predictive risk factors in and around Chennai, India.

Leptospirosis is a globally important re-emerging zoonotic disease affecting humans and many animal species including dogs. The present cross-sectional study aimed to diagnose acute leptospirosis among 210 suspected dogs using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Further, epidemiological risk factors were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis. Out of the 210 dogs, anti-leptospiral antibody was detected in 123 (58.57 %; 95 % CI: 51.6-65.3) dogs by MAT (cut-off titer- ≥1:100), among which 67 (54.47 %; 95 % CI: 45.3-63.4) were seropositive to more than one serogroup. The predominant serogroups were Australis and Autumnalis in the study region. Whereas, acute leptospirosis was established in 49 (23.33 %, 95 % CI: 17.9-29.8) dogs based on ≥ 1:800 titer in unvaccinated dogs and ≥1:1600 titer in vaccinated dogs. The predictive risk factors of acute canine leptospirosis were adult dogs (1-5 years) (p = 0.001), north-east monsoon season (p = 0.011), outdoor management (p = 0.047), history of rodent exposure (p = 0.001) and history of contact with wet soil or stagnant water (p = 0.046). Among 49 acutely infected dogs, thirteen dogs were positive for urine PCR and one dog was positive for both urine as well as plasma PCR. Positive PCR amplicons were identified as Leptospira interrogans based on secY gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. This study enlightened about the occurrence of acute leptospirosis among suspected dogs with the above important predictive risk factors, which should be taken into consideration while history taking so that proper treatment strategies can be adopted for early recovery of the animal.

Sarangi S ，Vijaya Bharathi M ，Madhanmohan M ，Meenambigai TV ，Soundararajan C ，Manimaran K ，Senthilkumar TMA ... -  《-》