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Detection of Leptospira spp. in Captive Broad-Snouted Caiman (Caiman latirostris)

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Abstract

Leptospira sp. is an important waterborne zoonotic bacterium, known to cause infection in animals and humans worldwide. The role of reptiles in the transmission of this microorganism is poorly understood and historically neglected. This study aimed to investigate the presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies and leptospiral DNA in captive Caiman latirostris (broad-snouted caiman). Of the 23 reptiles studied by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), 22/23 (95.65%) were considered reactive (titers ≥ 100) and 1/23 (4.35%) non-reactive (titer < 100). The serogroup with highest occurrence was Grippotyphosa (68.18%, n = 15/22) followed by serogroup Djasiman (18.18%, n = 4/22). Specific amplification of Leptospira spp. gene lipL32 was observed in six (26.09%, n = 6/23) blood samples. Five of six samples, previously detected as pathogenic leptospira by PCR, were amplified and sequenced. All the samples corresponded to the pathogenic species Leptospira interrogans (presented 100% of identity) using the PCR targeting to secY gene. We demonstrated high detection of DNA of L. interrogans in crocodilians, and the authors suggest that further research is needed to elucidate the impact of Leptospira spp. infection in health broad-snouted caimans as well as the pathophysiology of leptospirosis in crocodilians.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the government agencies CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) (Grant No. EDITAL PROPCI-PROPG/UFBA 02/2011 - PRODOC-UFBA) and FAPESB (Fundacão de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia) (Grant Nos. 1299/2014, 2270/2018) for the financial support. Additionally, the authors acknowledge Alberto Vinicius Oliveira (Coordinator of the Getulio Vargas Zoobotanic Park, Salvador, BA, Brazil) and all veterinarians, technicians, staff and veterinary students who contributed to this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil

    Lucas Nogueira Paz, Carla Silva Dias, Arianne Pontes Oriá & Melissa Hanzen Pinna

  2. Plataforma de Salud Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, INIA La Estanzuela, Ruta 50, Km. 11, Colonia, Uruguay

    Camila Hamond

  3. Getúlio Vargas Zoobotanic Park, Salvador, BA, Brazil

    Vitor P. Curvelo

  4. Laboratory of Recombinant Technology, Bio-Manguinhos, Brazilian Ministry of Health, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brazil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, Brazil

    Marco Alberto Medeiros

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  1. Lucas Nogueira Paz
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Correspondence to Melissa Hanzen Pinna.

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Paz, L.N., Hamond, C., Dias, C.S. et al. Detection of Leptospira spp. in Captive Broad-Snouted Caiman (Caiman latirostris). EcoHealth 16, 694–700 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-019-01452-0

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