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Review paper: Host-pathogen interactions in the kidney during chronic leptospirosis
A M Monahan1, J J Callanan, J E Nally
1Veterinary Sciences Centre, UCD School of Agriculture Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Veterinary Pathology
|May 12, 2009
Summary
Leptospira bacteria cause leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease, by colonizing kidneys and persisting despite host immunity. This review explores how Leptospira induce kidney damage and evade immune responses during chronic infections.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira species.
- Leptospira colonize renal tubules of chronically infected hosts, leading to shedding in urine and environmental contamination.
- Transmission occurs through contact with contaminated urine or water, with infection potentially causing asymptomatic or acute disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which Leptospira induce tubulointerstitial nephritis during chronic leptospirosis.
- To summarize the strategies Leptospira employ to evade host immune responses during renal tubule colonization.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article, synthesizing existing research on Leptospira pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions.
- Analysis of literature on chronic Leptospira infection, renal pathology, and immune evasion mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Chronic Leptospira infection leads to tubulointerstitial nephritis, which can progress to renal fibrosis and failure.
- Leptospira persist in renal tubules despite host cellular and humoral immune responses.
- Factors influencing acute versus chronic infection outcomes include host species, serovar, and infecting dose.
Conclusions:
- Understanding Leptospira's mechanisms of nephritis induction and immune evasion is crucial for managing chronic leptospirosis.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the factors determining acute versus chronic infection outcomes.
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