Global distribution of Leptospira serovar isolations and detections from animal host species: a systematic review and online database
Year: 2023
Type: preprint
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Objectives Leptospira, the spirochaete causing leptospirosis, can be classified into >250 antigenically distinct serovars. Although knowledge of the animal host species and geographic distribution of Leptospira serovars is critical to understand the human and animal epidemiology of leptospirosis, currently data are fragmented. We aimed to systematically review the literature on animal host species and geographic distribution of Leptospira serovars to examine associations between serovars with animal host species and regions, and to identify geographic regions in need of study. Methods Nine library databases were searched from inception through 9 March 2023 using keywords including Leptospira , animal, and a list of serovars. We sought reports of detection of Leptospira , from any animal, characterized by cross agglutinin absorption test, monoclonal antibody typing, serum factor analysis, or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to identify the serovar. Results We included 409 reports, published from 1927 through 2022, yielding data on 154 Leptospira serovars. The reports included data from 66 (26.5%) of 249 countries. Detections were from 144 animal host species including 135 (93.8%) from the class Mammalia, 5 (3.5%) from Amphibia, 3 (2.1%) from Reptilia, and 1 (0.7%) from Arachnida. Across the animal host species, Leptospira serovars that were detected in the largest number of animal species included Grippotyphosa (n=39), Icterohaemorrhagiae (n=29), Pomona (n=28), Australis (n=25), and Ballum (n=25). Of serovars, 76 were detected in a single animal host species. We created an online database to identify animal host species for each serovar by country. Conclusions We found that many countries have few or no Leptospira serovars detected from animal host species and that many serovars were detected from a single animal species. Our study highlights the importance of efforts to identify animal host species of leptospirosis, especially in places with a high incidence of human leptospirosis. We provide an updated resource for leptospirosis researchers.
Source: medRxiv
Institutions: University of Otago, Duke Medical Center, Duke University, University of Glasgow, Health New Zealand, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, University of Zagreb, Tumaini University, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity FEB RAS
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: National Science Foundation, University of Otago, Wellcome Trust, Research Councils UK, Department for International Development, National Institutes of Health, Directorate for Biological Sciences, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fogarty International Center
Awards: Leptospirosis in Tanzania: the role of rodents and cattle in a neglected public health problem., G1886633764, University of California Global Health Institute Program for Fellows and Scholars, G3028693477, G3168060087, The impact and social ecology of bacterial zoonoses in northern Tanzania, G3435376506, G3707093193, G396838351, Vanderbilt-Emory-Cornell-Duke Consortium for Global Health Fellows (VECDor), G4518260094, The Impact and Society Ecology of Bacterial Zoonoses in Northern Tanzania: Under, G8532363547, Investigating Febrile Deaths in Tanzania (INDITe), G9000248948, G9000261046
OpenAlex ID: W4387337900