DNA metabarcoding analysis revealed a silent prevalence of environmental pathogenic <i>Leptospira</i> in urban area of Okinawa Island, Japan.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Human activities, such as agriculture, environmental manipulation, and city development, have impacted the distribution of flora, fauna, and microbes (including potential human pathogens) at the global level. This study focused on the bacterial genus Leptospira, an organism causing leptospirosis that is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. We hypothesized that although only a few cases of leptospirosis have been reported in the urban region of main island of Okinawa Prefecture (Okinawa Island, OKI), Japan, Leptospira is present in these regions.

Methods

Thirty-four samples were collected from rivers in urban OKI and rural Ishigaki Island (ISG) and analyzed to determine the distribution of Leptospira and mammals using environmental DNA

SUBMITTER: Sato Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11987687 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature