Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases and despite extensive research, there is still a paucity of information regarding this disease in cats. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of leptospirosis among the shelter cat population in Malaysia and to determine the most common infective Leptospira serogroups among them. Blood samples were collected from a total of 110 cats from 4 different shelters. The sampled cats appeared healthy, with minimal evidence of feline upper respiratory disease. The Microscopic Agglutination Test was used to detect anti-Leptospira antibodies against 20 pathogenic serovars. Based on a cut-off antibody titer of ≥1:100, 20 of 110 sheltered cats, showed presence of anti-Leptospira antibodies against at least 1 serovar. The serodetection of leptospirosis was 18.18% (95% confidence interval 12.09-26.42). The most commonly detected serogroups were Bataviae, Javanica, and Ballum, with antibody titers ranging from 1:100 to 1:1600. Knowledge of the predominant infective serovars in hosts worldwide and regionally is imperative for understanding the epidemiology of this zoonotic disease. Serosurveillance is the first step in this process. Further studies are warranted for investigation of urinary shedding in naturally infected cats with leptospirosis, using Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and organism isolation followed by serovars identification.
Leptospirosis is an endemic zoonoses of global proportions. Stray dogs have been postulated to play a role in disease transmission; however, supporting information are still limited. Roaming behavior may not only predispose the dogs to infection, but could also contribute to disease spread. In this study, the susceptibility of urban stray dogs in shedding Leptospira spp. was determined. Blood, urine, and tissue samples of kidney and liver were collected from 100 dogs from 2 animal control facilities. Serological testing using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) were performed on blood against 20 leptospiral serovars with a cut-off titre of ≥ 1:100. Samples were cultured onto semi-solid Ellinghausen and McCullough modified by Johnson and Harris (EMJH) media. Isolates were identified using molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 2 primers (16s rRNA and LipL32) and hyperimmune serum (HIS) MAT. The seroprevalence for the dogs positive for leptospirosis was 32% (n=32/100) with the following detected serovars: Javanica (n=13), Bataviae (n=10), Icterohaemorrhagiae (n=3), Autumnalis (n=2), Canicola (n=1), Pyrogenes (n=1), Copenhageni (n=1), and Australis (n=1). Six Leptospira spp. isolated were procured from urine (n=2), kidney (n=2) and liver (n=2). All 6 isolates belonged to L. interrogans, a pathogenic variant of Leptospira spp. Serotyping and phylogenetic analysis suggested serovar Bataviae (n=5) and serovar Canicola (n=1). Presence of vaccinal serovars (Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola) suggested potential post-vaccination antibodies but the predominance of non-vaccinal serovars (Javanica and Bataviae) indicate the possibility of current infection or post-exposure. Isolation of Leptospira spp. directly from urine sample not only suggested an active infection but highlighted the potential shedding capability among these stray dogs. These findings further strengthen speculations that urban stray dogs could play a role in transmission and dissemination of leptospirosis through their constant movement. The urine of infected dogs may contaminate the environment, posing a major public health threat.
This case study is to report the proteins detected by proteomic analysis of synovial fluid from a dog diagnosed with idiopathic immune-mediated polyarthritis, and to compare it with healthy dogs. Synovial fluid was collected via arthrocentesis from a dog diagnosed with immune-mediated polyarthritis. Protein precipitation was performed on the synovial fluid, followed by isoelectric focusing and 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The spots on the 2-dimensional gels were analyzed using MALDI-TOF/MS. The results were then analyzed against the MASCOT database. The results from the proteomic analysis revealed an abundance of several types of immunoglobulins together with the presence of complement C4b-binding protein alpha chain. Actin and keratin were also among the proteins detected. Proteomic studies, facilitate a better understanding of the different levels of proteins expressed during disease activity. Potential disease biomarkers can aid in the diagnosis of disease, as well as help in monitoring treatment efficacy and providing prognosis for the patient.
Working dogs are canine animals that have been trained to assist human beings in carrying out various tasks. They help in guarding property, performing rescues, assisting the visually impaired or physically handicapped, searching for drugs, explosives, and others. Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases in the world and a commonly occurring disease of the tropics and subtropics. In Malaysia, all working dogs are normally vaccinated with serovars, Pomona, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, and Grippotyphosa based on protocols recommended from other countries. The duration of immunity in vaccinated dogs for Leptospira can last up to 13 months; however, there is no full crossprotection between the different serovars. Five representative canine units from different government agencies in Malaysia (n = 96 dogs) were recruited in this study. For detection, the microscopic agglutination test was performed by incubating the serum from dogs with various serovars of leptospires, namely, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Australis, Bataviae, Javanica, Tarassovi, Hebdomadis, Lai, and Pyrogenes. The plasma obtained was used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, for the detection of 16S rRNA, and lipL 32 genes of Leptospira. Out of the 96 dogs sampled, only 3 dogs were positive toward serovars, Australis, Bataviae, and Javanica, based on the cutoff point at 1:80. The seroprevalence of canine leptospirosis in this population was 3.1% (n = 3/96). However, all 96 blood samples of working dogs tested negative for both pathogenic and nonpathogenic Leptospira genes. The results revealed that, by vaccination alone, working dogs were not fully protected against leptospirosis and could pose a risk to dog handlers. A preventative and control protocol for leptospirosis is warranted, and its implementation should be monitored and improved accordingly from time to time, in order to maintain a healthy condition in both working dogs and their handlers.