Chronic Carriage of Leptospira interrogans Genotype Associated With the Australis Serogroup by Naturally-Infected Hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus ) at a Wildlife Health Centre in Northwestern France.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by bacteria in the genus Leptospira. Basic epidemiological information is crucial to mitigating disease risk but is lacking for leptospirosis; notably, the hosts responsible for maintaining Leptospira remain largely unknown. Frequently observed near human habitations, hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are taken to wildlife rescue centres when found sick or injured. Thus, they may pose a risk to human and animal health if they carry pathogenic Leptospira.

Aims

This study aimed to describe Leptospira carriage in a hedgehog population and the potential clinical impacts of the infection.

Material and method

We investigated Leptospira carriage frequency and diversity in urine samples from 69 hedgehogs at a wildlife res

SUBMITTER: Ayral F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11967313 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature