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Leptospira infection in rats: A literature review of global prevalence and distribution
- Source :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 13, Iss 8, p e0007499 (2019)
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science, 2019.
-
Abstract
- Background The role of rodents in Leptospira epidemiology and transmission is well known worldwide. Rats are known to carry different pathogenic serovars of Leptospira spp. capable of causing disease in humans and animals. Wild rats (Rattus spp.), especially the Norway/brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (R. rattus), are the most important sources of Leptospira infection, as they are abundant in urban and peridomestic environments. In this study, we compiled and summarized available data in the literature on global prevalence of Leptospira exposure and infection in rats, as well as compared the global distribution of Leptospira spp. in rats with respect to prevalence, geographic location, method of detection, diversity of serogroups/serovars, and species of rat. Methods We conducted a thorough literature search using PubMed without restrictions on publication date as well as Google Scholar to manually search for other relevant articles. Abstracts were included if they described data pertaining to Leptospira spp. in rats (Rattus spp.) from any geographic region around the world, including reviews. The data extracted from the articles selected included the author(s), year of publication, geographic location, method(s) of detection used, species of rat(s), sample size, prevalence of Leptospira spp. (overall and within each rat species), and information on species, serogroups, and/or serovars of Leptospira spp. detected. Findings A thorough search on PubMed retrieved 303 titles. After screening the articles for duplicates and inclusion/exclusion criteria, as well as manual inclusion of relevant articles, 145 articles were included in this review. Leptospira prevalence in rats varied considerably based on geographic location, with some reporting zero prevalence in countries such as Madagascar, Tanzania, and the Faroe Islands, and others reporting as high as >80% prevalence in studies done in Brazil, India, and the Philippines. The top five countries that were reported based on number of articles include India (n = 13), Malaysia (n = 9), Brazil (n = 8), Thailand (n = 7), and France (n = 6). Methods of detecting or isolating Leptospira spp. also varied among studies. Studies among different Rattus species reported a higher Leptospira prevalence in R. norvegicus. The serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae was the most prevalent serovar reported in Rattus spp. worldwide. Additionally, this literature review provided evidence for Leptospira infection in laboratory rodent colonies within controlled environments, implicating the zoonotic potential to laboratory animal caretakers. Conclusions Reports on global distribution of Leptospira infection in rats varies widely, with considerably high prevalence reported in many countries. This literature review emphasizes the need for enhanced surveillance programs using standardized methods for assessing Leptospira exposure or infection in rats. This review also demonstrated several weaknesses to the current methods of reporting the prevalence of Leptospira spp. in rats worldwide. As such, this necessitates a call for standardized protocols for the testing and reporting of such studies, especially pertaining to the diagnostic methods used. A deeper understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of Leptospira spp. in rats in urban environments is warranted. It is also pertinent for rat control programs to be proposed in conjunction with increased efforts for public awareness and education regarding leptospirosis transmission and prevention.<br />Author summary The role of rodents in the transmission of many diseases, including leptospirosis, is widely known. Rats abundant in urban and peridomestic environments are the most important reservoirs and sources of Leptospira infection in humans and animals. Leptospirosis is a significant but neglected disease of humans and animals that is increasing in incidence in regions affected by natural disasters. This paper summarizes the global prevalence and distribution of Leptospira infection in rats and will add to the literature that supports research, education, and public awareness regarding leptospirosis transmission and prevention.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
Serotype
Bacterial Diseases
Brown rat
Databases, Factual
RC955-962
Population Dynamics
Prevalence
Geographic Mapping
Artificial Gene Amplification and Extension
Review
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Urban Environments
0302 clinical medicine
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
Zoonoses
Epidemiology
Medicine and Health Sciences
Leptospira
Mammals
biology
Transmission (medicine)
Eukaryota
Animal Models
Leptospirosis
Terrestrial Environments
Bacterial Pathogens
Infectious Diseases
Black rat
Experimental Organism Systems
Medical Microbiology
Vertebrates
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
Pathogens
Anatomy
Neglected Tropical Diseases
medicine.medical_specialty
030231 tropical medicine
Research and Analysis Methods
Serogroup
Microbiology
Rodents
03 medical and health sciences
Model Organisms
Environmental health
medicine
Animals
Molecular Biology Techniques
Microbial Pathogens
Molecular Biology
Bacteria
Population Biology
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Organisms
Biology and Life Sciences
Kidneys
Renal System
medicine.disease
biology.organism_classification
bacterial infections and mycoses
Tropical Diseases
Geographic Distribution
Rats
030104 developmental biology
Amniotes
Animal Studies
bacteria
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19352735 and 19352727
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....c02d9ac3eb221da0e3034adedb9f8e20