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Muskrats as carriers of pathogenic leptospires in The Netherlands
A C Steinen1, J L Schuurman, C Gravekamp
1Royal Tropical Institute, N.H. Swellengrebel Laboratory of Tropical Hygiene, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Leptospires were isolated from 24 of 327 (7%) muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) caught in The Netherlands. All isolates were identified as Leptospira interrogans. One isolate was typed as serovar copenhageni in the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup, one as serovar lora in the Australis serogroup. Twenty-one isolates showed a close relationship with serovars grippotyphosa, valbuzzi, muelleri and ratnapura from the Grippotyphosa serogroup. One isolate was lost. Sera from 196 muskrats were examined by the microscopic agglutination test. Forty-five (23%) sera reacted positively (titers greater than or equal to 1:160), 42 (21%) of these 45 sera to Grippotyphosa and 3 (2%) to Sejroe serogroup antigens. This is the first report of serological and cultural evidence of leptospira infection in muskrats in The Netherlands.
Insights
Leptospira interrogans bacteria were found in 7% of Dutch muskrats. Serological tests revealed widespread exposure to Leptospira, particularly the Grippotyphosa serogroup, indicating a significant reservoir for this pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Zoonotic Disease Research
- Wildlife Epidemiology
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a significant zoonotic disease globally.
- Wildlife reservoirs play a crucial role in the transmission of Leptospira.
- Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) are known to inhabit environments where human and animal exposure to Leptospira can occur.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Leptospira infection in muskrats in The Netherlands.
- To identify the Leptospira serovars circulating in the muskrat population.
- To assess the serological evidence of Leptospira exposure in muskrats.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of Leptospira from muskrat tissues.
- Serotyping of Leptospira isolates.
- Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for serological analysis of muskrat sera.
Main Results:
- Leptospires were isolated from 7% of 327 muskrats.
- All isolates were identified as Leptospira interrogans.
- Antibodies against Leptospira, primarily Grippotyphosa and Sejroe serogroups, were detected in 23% of examined sera.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first cultural and serological evidence of Leptospira infection in muskrats in The Netherlands.
- Muskrats represent a potential reservoir for Leptospira interrogans in this region.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering wildlife, such as muskrats, in the epidemiology of leptospirosis.