Serosurvey, cultural, and molecular detection of circulating Leptospira spp. in different animals in selected areas of Bangladesh

Authors: Samia Affroze, Md. Shafiqul Islam, Tajmima Sultana Mukta, Md. Nahid Ashraf, Sanzila Hossain Sigma, Md. Tanvir Rahman, Md. Shahidur Rahman Khan, K. H. M. Nazmul Hussain Nazir, and S. M. Lutful Kabir

Ger. J. Vet. Res 2025. vol. 5, Iss. 2 pp:90-102
Doi: https://doi.org/10.51585/gjvr.2025.2.0137

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Abstract:

One of the most significant zoonotic bacteria, Leptospira spp., causes leptospirosis in people and animals worldwide. Rats are the primary reservoir of Leptospira; however, both domestic and wild animals can serve as incidental or maintenance hosts. This study investigated leptospirosis in various animals, identified reservoir animals in Bangladesh using ELISA, and detected Leptospira using culture, dark-field microscopy, and PCR. To conduct serological monitoring, bacterial isolation, and molecular detection of Leptospira, a total of 376 milk and 94 serum samples from dairy cattle, along with urine and kidney samples from 120 captured rats and 52 urine samples from dogs, were collected from the study areas. Out of 376 milk samples of cattle, 6.11% were positive for Leptospira, by Leptospira hardjo specific ELISA, and out of 94 serum samples, 8.51% were positive for Leptospira hardjo. Among seropositive cattle, 42.15% of the urine samples showed positive results for Leptospira by culture and PCR, which was related to frequent reproductive problems, high milk production, and the presence of rats in the farm vicinity. The overall prevalence of Leptospira carriage in rats was 38.33% in the study areas, as determined by culture, dark-field microscopy, and PCR. Female rats were found to be more positive than males, whereas adult rats were more positive than juvenile rats. Based on species variation, Greater Bandicoot/Dhari indur (Bandicota indica) rats showed higher Leptospira carriage than the common house rat (Rattus rattus). The overall occurrence of Leptospira in dogs was 28.84%, as determined by culture and PCR, including three positive cases of Leptospira canicola. The highest prevalence was observed in stray or sheltered dogs and in female dogs. These findings demonstrate that Leptospira is present in a substantial proportion of rats and other animals studied, suggesting that these animals may serve as important reservoirs for the pathogen in Bangladesh.

Keywords:

Leptospira, Leptospirosis, Cattle, Rat, Dog

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