Molecular Typing of Pathogenic <i>Leptospira</i> Species Isolated from Wild Mammal Reservoirs in Sardinia
2021
Ivana Piredda | Maria Nicoletta Ponti | Bruna Palmas | Malgorzata Noworol | Aureliana Pedditzi | Lucio Rebechesu | Valentina Chisu
Leptospirosis is a global zoonosis caused by pathogenic species of <i>Leptospira</i> that infect a large spectrum of domestic and wild animals. This study is the first molecular identification, characterization, and phylogeny of <i>Leptospira</i> strains with veterinary and zoonotic impact in Sardinian wild hosts. All samples collected were cultured and analyzed by multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Sequencing, phylogenetic analyses (based on <i>rrs</i> and <i>secY</i> sequences), and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) based on the analysis of seven concatenated loci were also performed. Results revealed the detection of <i>Leptospira</i> DNA and cultured isolates in 21% and 4% of the samples examined, respectively. Sequence analysis of <i>Leptospira</i> positive samples highlighted the presence of the <i>interrogans</i> and <i>borgpetersenii</i> genospecies that grouped in strongly supported monophyletic clades. MLST analyses identified six different Sequence Types (ST) that clustered in two monophyletic groups specific for <i>Leptospira</i><i>interrogans</i>, and <i>L. borgpetersenii</i>. This study provided about the prevalence of leptospires in wild mammals in Sardinia, and increased our knowledge of this pathogen on the island. Monitoring <i>Leptospira</i> strains circulating in Sardinia will help clinicians and veterinarians develop strategic plans for the prevention and control of leptospiral infections.
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