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Leptospirosis and the maintenance host: a laboratory mouse model
Abstract:
A laboratory mouse model was used to investigate the criteria that have been suggested as differentiating between a maintenance host and an accidental host for a particular leptospiral serovar. The comparative studies were conducted with serovars ballum, pomona, balcanica and hardjo. The relative pathological response, ratio of serological to bacteriological prevalence, level of serological response, age-susceptibility to infection and demonstration of artificial intraspecies transmission were found to be inadequate criteria with which to differentiate maintenance and accidental hosts for a particular serovar. The demonstration of natural intraspecies transmission was considered to be the definitive criterion for differentiating such hosts. In the light of the results obtained from the laboratory mouse model and the results obtained from field studies, a maintenance host may be defined as an animal which is capable of acting as a natural source of leptospiral infection for its own species. A maintenance population may be defined as a population of a species of animal which acts as a continuous reservoir of a serovar in a specific ecosystem.
Insights
Natural intraspecies transmission is the key to identifying maintenance hosts for leptospiral serovars. Other criteria like pathology and artificial transmission are insufficient for differentiating hosts. This defines a maintenance host and population.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Zoonotic Pathogens
Background:
- Leptospiral serovars require specific host-animal relationships.
- Differentiating between maintenance and accidental hosts is crucial for disease control.
- Existing criteria for host differentiation lack definitive validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and validate criteria for distinguishing between maintenance and accidental hosts for leptospiral serovars.
- To evaluate the efficacy of various parameters in host classification.
- To establish a definitive criterion for host-pathogen dynamics in leptospirosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a laboratory mouse model for comparative studies with leptospiral serovars (ballum, pomona, balcanica, hardjo).
- Assessed pathological response, serological vs. bacteriological prevalence ratios, antibody levels, and age-related susceptibility.
- Investigated artificial and natural intraspecies transmission dynamics.
Main Results:
- Pathological response, serological/bacteriological ratios, antibody levels, and age-susceptibility were inadequate for host differentiation.
- Artificial intraspecies transmission failed to definitively distinguish host types.
- Natural intraspecies transmission emerged as the definitive criterion.
Conclusions:
- A maintenance host is defined as an animal naturally serving as a source of leptospiral infection for its own species.
- A maintenance population acts as a continuous reservoir for a specific serovar within an ecosystem.
- Natural intraspecies transmission is the critical factor in defining host-pathogen relationships in leptospirosis.