Leptospira unit, Microbiology Division, Central Diagnostic Laboratories. National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Applied Microbiology, Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2024 Sep;112:102223. doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102223. Epub 2024 Jul 23.
Leptospirosis, a neglected zoonotic disease, adversely affects animal, human health, and socioeconomic conditions, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and molecular identification of pathogenic Leptospira spp. among abattoir workers, cattle, and rats in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 394 samples were collected, including 149 urine samples from abattoir workers, 125 urine samples from cattle bladders, and 120 bladders from trapped rats. Samples were processed and cultured in Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson Harrison (EMJH) medium and examined under a darkfield microscope. Positive cultures were confirmed using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (N-PCR) targeted the 16 S rDNA gene. Results revealed a prevalence of 33.76 % for Leptospira spp. across all samples, with the highest occurrence in abattoir workers (13.96 %), followed by rats (13.45 %), and cattle (6.35 %). The MAT showed L. interrogans serovar Hardjo str. Hardjoprajitno as the most prevalent serotype (41.61 %), followed by L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae str. RGA (34.31 %). N-PCR confirmed the presence of pathogenic Leptospira spp., showing bands of 1200 bp. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16 S rDNA gene sequences revealed close similarities to known pathogenic Leptospira strains from Brazil and the USA. The study underscores the significant public health risk posed by leptospirosis in Jos North and highlights the need for improved diagnostic capabilities, increased awareness, and effective control measures to mitigate the disease burden. Enhanced surveillance and preventive strategies are crucial to protect both animal and human health in the region.
钩端螺旋体病是一种被忽视的人畜共患疾病，对动物、人类健康和社会经济状况都有不利影响，特别是在尼日利亚等发展中国家。本研究旨在确定尼日利亚高原州乔斯北部屠宰场工人、牛和老鼠中致病性钩端螺旋体的发生和分子鉴定。本研究采用横断面研究设计，共采集了 394 份样本，包括 149 份屠宰场工人尿液样本、125 份牛膀胱尿液样本和 120 份从捕获的老鼠膀胱中采集的样本。样本经过处理和在 Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson Harrison (EMJH) 培养基中培养，并在暗场显微镜下进行检查。阳性培养物通过显微镜凝集试验 (MAT) 和针对 16S rDNA 基因的巢式聚合酶链反应 (N-PCR) 进行确认。结果显示，所有样本中钩端螺旋体的总流行率为 33.76%，其中屠宰场工人的发病率最高（13.96%），其次是老鼠（13.45%）和牛（6.35%）。MAT 显示，最流行的血清型是亮氨酸 interogans 硬焦株 Hardjoprajitno（41.61%），其次是亮氨酸 interogans 伊氏血清型 RGA（34.31%）。N-PCR 确认了致病性钩端螺旋体的存在，显示出 1200bp 的条带。16S rDNA 基因序列的系统发育分析显示与巴西和美国的已知致病性钩端螺旋体菌株密切相似。本研究强调了乔斯北部钩端螺旋体病对公共卫生的重大风险，并突出了提高诊断能力、提高认识和采取有效控制措施以减轻疾病负担的必要性。加强监测和预防策略对于保护该地区的动物和人类健康至关重要。
