Detection of Leptospira interrogans in Hedgehogs from Central China.

Background: Leptospira is the causative agent of leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease of global importance. To have a better understanding on the host species of Leptospira, we investigated the prevalence of Leptospira species in hedgehogs in Central China. Materials and Methods: Hedgehogs were captured in Hubei Province, China in May and October, 2018. Total DNA was extracted from the kidney tissues of hedgehogs for determining the Leptospira species by PCR amplification of the rrs2, secY, and flaB genes with genus-specific primers. Results: PCR amplification indicated that the positive rate of hedgehogs to the rrs2, secY, and flaB genes were 19.5% (8/41), 12.2% (5/41), and 9.8% (4/41), respectively. The homology of the partial sequence of rrs2, secY, and flaB genes were 99.0-100% among the Leptospira strains from hedgehogs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Leptospira species detected in this study clustered together with Leptospira interrogans. Conclusions: We detected L. interrogans from hedgehogs in Central China, suggesting hedgehogs are the hosts of L. interrogans.

Citation

Xiao-Juan Ma, Xiao-Qing Gong, Xiao Xiao, Jian-Wei Liu, Hui-Ju Han, Xiang-Rong Qin, Si-Cong Lei, Xiao-Lan Gu, Hao Yu, Xue-Jie Yu. Detection of Leptospira interrogans in Hedgehogs from Central China. Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.). 2020 Jun;20(6):427-431

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PMID: 32155388

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