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Leptospirosis and One Health

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A special issue of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease (ISSN 2414-6366). This special issue belongs to the section "One Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 4242

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Dr. Maria Isabel Nogueira Di Azevedo

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niteroi 24020-141, Brazil
Interests: leptospirosis; zoonosis; infectious disease; human–animal interface; One Health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Leptospirosis, a globally significant zoonotic disease, exemplifies the intricate interplay between human, animal, and environmental health. As an acute bacterial infection caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp., leptospirosis presents diverse clinical manifestations ranging from mild febrile illness to severe, life-threatening syndromes. Its transmission dynamics are influenced by environmental factors, wildlife reservoirs, domestic animals, and human activity, underscoring the necessity of a One Health approach to its study and control.

This Special Issue aims to advance understanding and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing leptospirosis as a critical public health challenge. We welcome original research and reviews that explore the disease's epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics, treatment, prevention, and control. Studies highlighting the intersection of human and animal health or those evaluating the environmental determinants of leptospirosis are particularly encouraged.

The scope includes the following:

Molecular and clinical insights into leptospirosis diagnosis and management.
Comparative studies across geographic regions and/or hosts, with emphasis on molecular epidemiology.
Ecological and environmental studies assessing disease reservoirs and transmission.
Public health strategies incorporating One Health principles.
Advances in diagnostic tools, vaccines, and therapeutics.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for sharing cutting-edge research and multidisciplinary perspectives to enhance the global response to leptospirosis. By bridging gaps between research and practice, we aim to inform effective interventions that align with One Health objectives, ultimately contributing to the prevention and control of this neglected yet impactful disease.

Dr. Maria Isabel Nogueira Di Azevedo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Leptospira
zoonotic diseases
environmental health
public health strategies
bacterial infection

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1557 KB

Open AccessArticle

Endemicity, Clinical Features, Risk Factors, and the Potential for Severe Infection in Leptospira wolffii-Associated Leptospirosis in North-Central Bangladesh

by Sheikh Anika Tasnim, Nazia Haque, Shyamal Kumar Paul, Meiji Soe Aung, Md. Rafiul Hasan, Sheikh Nayeem Niaz, Arup Islam, Syeda Anjuman Nasreen, Mosammat Rezaun Nahar, Sultana Jahan Tuly, Parsa Irin Disha, Abdullah Al Mamun, Md. Shafiqul Islam, Santana Rani Sarkar and Nobumichi Kobayashi

Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2025, 10(10), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed10100290 - 13 Oct 2025

Viewed by 351

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira, prevalent in tropical/sub-tropical regions. This study aimed to clarify the prevailing leptospiral species, clinical features, and risk factors of leptospirosis in north-central Bangladesh in 2024. Venous blood and urine samples were collected from 117 patients with clinically suspected leptospirosis. Among these cases, 75 (64%) tested positive for Leptospira infection by IgM ELISA test and/or PCR. By phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, all the samples tested were classified into L. wolffii (pathogenic group P2), showing high sequence identity to those of the type strain Khorat-H2 (97–99%) and L. wolffii reported in Bangladesh previously. Confirmed leptospirosis patients were mostly male (93%), aged 15–60 years (93%), living in rural areas in low socioeconomic conditions. Variable symptoms were presented by patients, with jaundice (84%), nausea/vomiting (84%), and myalgia (67%) being common. Some patients showed severe symptoms involving the nervous system (disorientation and neck stiffness) and the respiratory tract (cough, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis). Major risk factors for leptospirosis were exposures to mud/wet soil, sanding water, heavy rain, working in a paddy field, and cattle. In conclusion, L. wolffii was revealed to be circulating endemically in north-central Bangladesh, since its first detection in 2018, associated with variable and severe clinical symptoms in humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leptospirosis and One Health)

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7 pages, 816 KB

Open AccessArticle

Deciphering Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) Serogroup Cross-Reactivity in Leptospirosis: The Influence of Age and Antibody Titers

by Eric J. Nilles, Cecilia Then Paulino, William Duke, Ronald Skewes-Ramm, Adam Kucharski and Colleen L. Lau

Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2025, 10(10), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed10100275 - 24 Sep 2025

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Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira spp., with over 250 serovars classified into 24 serogroups. Control measures depend on understanding serovar-specific epidemiology, yet the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) is only serogroup specific, and classification is complicated by cross-reactivity. While MAT is the reference standard for leptospirosis serodiagnosis and seroepidemiological studies, factors influencing serogroup cross-reactivity remain poorly characterized. We investigated the relationship between age, antibody titer, and serogroup diversity among seropositive individuals in a population-based serosurvey in the Dominican Republic. Between June and October 2021, we conducted a multistage national serosurvey, enrolling 6683 participants across 134 clusters. MAT was performed on sera from 2091 participants in two provinces using a 20-serovar panel. MAT positivity was defined as titers ≥ 1:100. Generalized Additive Models were used to assess associations between age, maximum titer, and serogroup diversity. Of 2091 tested samples, 237 (11.3%) were seropositive. Older individuals and those with higher titers reacted to a greater number of serogroups (p = 0.005 and p < 0.0001, respectively). However, mean maximum titer decreased with age, suggesting that broader serogroup reactivity in older individuals reflects cumulative exposure rather than higher titers. Maximum titer was the strongest predictor of serogroup breadth, while gender, study region, and urban/rural setting were not significant. Overall, our findings demonstrate that serogroup cross-reactivity in MAT was significantly influenced by antibody titer and prior exposure, with older individuals displaying broader serogroup reactivity despite lower titers. These findings highlight key considerations for interpreting MAT results in seroepidemiological studies and underscore the limitations of MAT in serogroup-level classification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leptospirosis and One Health)

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14 pages, 816 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Seropositivity for Pathogenic Leptospira in Dogs, Cats, and Horses at a Teaching Veterinary Hospital in Southern Chile

by Lucía Azócar-Aedo, Gloria Meniconi, Carolina Pino-Olguín and María Gallardo

Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2025, 10(9), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed10090253 - 3 Sep 2025

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Abstract

At a veterinary hospital in southern Chile, we conducted an epidemiological study involving domestic dogs, cats, and horses to determine the seropositivity for pathogenic Leptospira spp., identify the infecting serogroups, measure antibody titers, and characterize seropositive animals by sex and age. None of the sampled animals showed clinical signs of leptospirosis. The microscopic agglutination test, using a panel of eight serogroups, was used for diagnosis. The seropositivity was 36.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 24.5–48.4) in dogs, 12.9% (95% CI = 2.6–23.1) in cats, and 45.2% (95% CI = 30.1–60.2) in horses. Serological reactions were detected for the Tarassovi and Canicola serogroups in dogs, Sejroe, Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Grippotyphosa in horses, and Tarassovi in cats. The most frequent antibody titers were 1:200 and 1:400 in dogs, 1:400 in cats, and 1:800 in horses. The distribution of seropositivity varied by sex and age across different animal species. The seropositivity for pathogenic Leptospira in dogs, cats, and horses attending a veterinary hospital underscores the role of domestic animals as sentinels for zoonotic diseases. This finding has implications for epidemiological surveillance systems in increasing awareness of seropositivity and establishing specific prevention measures to mitigate the risk of leptospirosis transmission. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leptospirosis and One Health)

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13 pages, 413 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Leptospirosis in Crete, Greece

by Petros Ioannou, Maria Pendondgis, Eleni Kampanieri, Stergos Koukias, Maria Gorgomyti, Kyriaki Tryfinopoulou and Diamantis Kofteridis

Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2025, 10(8), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed10080209 - 25 Jul 2025

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Abstract

Introduction: Leptospirosis is an under-recognized zoonosis that affects both tropical and temperate regions. While it is often associated with exposure to contaminated water or infected animals, its presentation and epidemiology in Mediterranean countries remain incompletely understood. This retrospective cohort study investigates the clinical and epidemiological profile of leptospirosis in Crete, Greece, a region where data are scarce. Methods: All adult patients with laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis admitted to three major public hospitals in Crete, Greece, between January 2019 and December 2023 were included in the analysis. Diagnosis was made through serologic testing along with compatible clinical symptoms. Results: A total of 17 patients were included. Their median age was 48 years, with a predominance of males (70.6%). Notably, more than half of the patients had no documented exposure to classic risk factors such as rodents or standing water. Clinical presentations were varied but commonly included fever, fatigue, acute kidney injury, and jaundice. Of the patients who underwent imaging, most showed hepatomegaly. The median delay from symptom onset to diagnosis was 11 days, underscoring the diagnostic challenge in non-endemic areas. Ceftriaxone was the most frequently administered antibiotic (76.5%), often in combination with tetracyclines or quinolones. Despite treatment, three patients (17.6%) died, all presenting with severe manifestations such as ARDS, liver failure, or shock. A concerning increase in cases was noted in 2023. Conclusions: Leptospirosis can present with severe and potentially fatal outcomes even in previously healthy individuals and in regions not traditionally considered endemic. The relatively high mortality and disease frequency noted emphasize the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion. Timely diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are essential to improving patient outcomes. Additionally, the need for enhanced public health awareness, diagnostic capacity, and possibly environmental surveillance to control this neglected but impactful disease better, should be emphasized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leptospirosis and One Health)

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11 pages, 988 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Characterization and Zoonotic Potential of Leptospira interrogans Identified in Small Non-Flying Mammals from Southeastern Atlantic Forest, Brazil

by Maria Isabel Nogueira Di Azevedo, Ana Clara dos Reis Soares, Camila Ezepha, Filipe Anibal Carvalho-Costa, Anahi Souto Vieira and Walter Lilenbaum

Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2025, 10(3), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed10030062 - 27 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1079

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global public health importance caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. Small non-flying mammals are important reservoirs of the pathogen. The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is a biodiversity hotspot located in a densely populated area and subject to intense degradation. Although documented through serosurveys and the detection of leptospiral DNA in wild small mammals, no study has performed a genetic characterization of the bacteria in the region. The present study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of pathogenic leptospires identified in small non-flying mammals in the Southeast Atlantic Forest and to perform intraspecific genetic inferences with other hosts. The studied area included five different conservation units. Molecular diagnosis was performed based on the lipl32 gene. The SLST typing method was applied based on the secY gene. In total, 56% of samples were lipL32-PCR-positive and identified as L. interrogans, with a high genetic identity among them, distributed in four main haplogroups. The largest haplogroup also included reference sequences from humans, dogs, and urban rats, all belonging to the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup. Our results reinforce the role of small mammals as important carriers of L. interrogans and highlight the Atlantic Forest as a significant environment for the circulation and dissemination of spirochetes with zoonotic potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leptospirosis and One Health)

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