Leptospirosis on captive wild animals in Latin America

• Published in: Research in veterinary science Vol. 115; pp. 496 - 500
• Main Authors: Vieira, Anahi S., Lilenbaum, Walter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2017; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Animal species; Animals; Animals, Wild - microbiology; Antibodies, Bacterial; Aquariums; Bacteria; Bibliographic data bases; Captivity; Cavia aperea; Cebus; Data processing; Domestic animals; Endangered populations; Endangered species; Epidemics; Hazards; Humans; Immunization; Infections; Infectious diseases; Kidneys; Latin America - epidemiology; Leptospira; Leptospira - classification; Leptospira interrogans; Leptospirosis; Leptospirosis - epidemiology; Leptospirosis - veterinary; Mammals - microbiology; Prevalence; Reintroduction; Reptiles; Reptiles - microbiology; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Serogroup; Serology; Strains (organisms); Studies; Tropical environment; Tropical environments; Vaccines; Veterinary medicine; Wild animals; Wildlife; Zoo; Zoonoses; Zoonosis; Latin America; Zoo; Zoonosis; Wildlife; Reintroduction; Leptospira
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.08.001

Leptospirosis is a worldwide bacterial infection, being more prevalent in tropical regions. Human beings, domestic animals and wildlife species are susceptible to a wide variety of serovars. Zoos have a great importance in keeping endangered species, increasing populations and accumulating knowledge on these species. Although some studies describe the occurrence of leptospirosis in captivity animals, a systematic review regarding the infection in these animals in tropical areas has never been conducted. Thus, the objective of this study was to systematically gather and analyze data regarding leptospirosis among captive wild animals in Latin America. A total of 141 species were studied, 93 genus, 44 families and 15 orders from three classes. Median seroprevalence ranged from 0 to 52% and predominant serogroups were Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae for mammalian, and Sejroe for reptiles. One important outcome is that, when kept on zoos, wildlife is more frequently infected by incidental strains instead of adapted strains. Preventive measures should consider periodic serosurvey of all animal species in captivity, as well as the use of commercial vaccines to reduce leptospiral infection and its hazards. The routes of transmission of leptospirosis in captive scenario (Zoos) [Display omitted] •Wildlife in captive environment are not usually infected by a serogroup to which they are adapted to.•High exposure of wildlife in zoo to Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola serogroups•Establishment of a protocol for the prevention of leptospirosis in captivity