Diverse lineages of pathogenic Leptospira species are widespread in the environment in Puerto Rico, USA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leptospirosis, caused by Leptospira bacteria, is a common zoonosis worldwide, especially in the tropics. Reservoir species and risk factors have been identified but surveys for environmental sources are rare. Furthermore, understanding of environmental Leptospira containing virulence associated genes and possibly capable of causing disease is incomplete, which may convolute leptospirosis diagnosis, prevention, and epidemiology.

Methodology/principal findings

We collected environmental samples from 22 sites in Puerto Rico during three sampling periods over 14-months (Dec 2018-Feb 2020); 10 water and 10 soil samples were collected at each site. Samples were screened for DNA from potentially pathogenic Leptospira using the lipL32 PCR assay and positive samples were s

SUBMITTER: Stone NE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9154103 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature