Exposure to live saprophytic <i>Leptospira</i> before challenge with a pathogenic serovar prevents severe leptospirosis and promotes kidney homeostasis.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies demonstrated that Leptospira biflexa, a saprophytic species, triggers innate immune responses in the host during early infection. This raised the question of whether these responses could suppress a subsequent challenge with pathogenic Leptospira. We inoculated C3H/HeJ mice with a single or a double dose of L. biflexa before challenge with a pathogenic serovar, Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni FioCruz (LIC). Pre-challenge exposure to L. biflexa did not prevent LIC dissemination and colonization of the kidney. However, it rescued weight loss and mouse survival thereby mitigating disease severity. Unexpectedly, there was correlation between rescue of overall health (weight gain, higher survival, lower kidney fibrosis marker ColA1)

SUBMITTER: Kundu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11554301 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature