An investigation of the role of wild rats in transmitting <i>Leptospira</i> spp. to stray cats and dogs in Malaysia.

ABSTRACT: Stray cats and dogs have been reported to shed Leptospira spp., and wild rats are speculated to be involved. We aimed to elucidate the role of wild rats in transmitting Leptospira to stray cats and dogs in Malaysia. We tested sera from 124 wild rats with the microscopic agglutination test (MAT): 88 of 122 (72%) sera were positive (titer ≥1:100), with the predominant serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae, Bataviae, Ballum, Javanica, Lai, and Pomona. With a Leptospira-specific PCR assay, we detected pathogenic Leptospira spp. in 33 of 124 (27%) kidney samples and 13 of 79 (16%) urine samples. Isolates obtained by culture of rat kidney and urine were identified to the species level with MAT using hyperimmune sera and the PCR assay. From 29 isolates, 2 pathogenic species wer

SUBMITTER: Muhd Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12267210 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature