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Evidence for Wild Crocodiles as a Risk for Human Leptospirosis, Mexico

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Abstract

Sentinel species such as crocodilians are used to monitor the health of ecosystems. However, few studies have documented the presence of zoonotic diseases in wild populations of these reptiles. Herein we analyzed 48 serum samples from Crocodylus acutus (n = 34) and C. moreletii (n = 14) from different sites in the state of Quintana Roo (Mexico) to detect antibodies to Leptospira interrogans by means of a microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Crocodylus acutus and C. moreletii tested positive to 11 and 9 serovars, respectively, with Grippotyphosa being the serovar with the highest prevalence in Cozumel island (100%), Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve (70.6%), and Río Hondo (100%), while in Chichankanab Lake, it was Bratislava (75%). Titers ranged from 1:50 to 1:3200, and the most frequent was 1:50 in all study sites. Leptospira is present in fresh and saltwater individuals due to the resistance of the bacterium in both environments. Cases of infected people involved with crocodile handling and egg collection suggest that these reptiles could play an important role in the transmission of leptospirosis. Preventive medicine programs should consider the monitoring of reptiles, and testing the soil and water, to prevent outbreaks of leptospirosis in facilities containing crocodiles.

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Acknowledgements

Our most sincere thanks to H. González-Cortés, J. Pérez-Juárez, F. González-Ávila, C. Tuz-Catzin, R. Rosas-Carmona, C. López-Miam, and O. Martínez-Castillo for field assistance. JPF thanks R. Ibarra for helping in the manuscript. Special thanks to the Fundación de Parques y Museos de Cozumel and to Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve (CONANP). We thank the Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) for the logistic support during the surveys conducted along the Río Hondo. The Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) and the Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO) provided financial support. The map was produced by H. Weissenberger. We also thank L.W. Porras for comments that improved the manuscript. The Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT) of Mexico provided the scientific research permissions for crocodiles capture (Oficios Núm. SGPA/DGVS/02066/08, 02516/09, 04528/11, 02082/11).

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  1. Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal, Avenida Centenario Km 5.5, C.P. 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico

    Jonathan Pérez-Flores & Rogelio Cedeño-Vázquez

  2. Centro del Cambio Global y la Sustentabilidad en el Sureste, A.C., Calle Centenario del Instituto Juárez s/n, Col. Reforma, C.P. 86080, Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico

    Pierre Charruau

  3. Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 04510, Mexico

    Daniel Atilano

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  1. Jonathan Pérez-Flores
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Correspondence to Jonathan Pérez-Flores.

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Pérez-Flores, J., Charruau, P., Cedeño-Vázquez, R. et al. Evidence for Wild Crocodiles as a Risk for Human Leptospirosis, Mexico. EcoHealth 14, 58–68 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-016-1196-7

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