Sains Malaysiana 49(5)(2020): 1121-1128

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2020-4905-17

Serological Detection of Anti-Leptospira Antibodies among Animal Caretakers, Dogs and Cats Housed in Animal Shelters in Peninsular Malaysia

(Pengesanan Serologi Antibodi Anti-Leptospira dalam Kalangan Penjaga Haiwan, Anjing dan Kucing yang Tinggal di Pusat Perlindungan Haiwan di Semenanjung Malaysia)

ABDUL RAHMAN ALASHRAF¹, SITI KHAIRANI-BEJO², KUAN HUA KHOR¹, ROZANALIZA RADZI¹, PUTERI AZAZIAH MEGAT ABDUL RANI³, SOON HENG GOH¹, MUHAMMAD SABRI ABDUL RAHMAN², MUHAMMAD AZRI ROSLAN², ROSNAH ISMAIL⁴ & SENG FONG LAU¹*

¹Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

²Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

³Department of Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

⁴Occupational Health Unit, Community Health Department, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia

Diserahkan: 6 Mac 2019/ Diterima: 22 Januari 2020

ABSTRACT

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira spp. and it has emerged as one of the major public health issues worldwide. Despite extensive studies, information regarding leptospirosis in animal shelters in Malaysia is still scarce. The aim of this study was to determine anti-Leptospira antibodies and the most common circulating serogroups among humans and animals in animal shelters in west and south parts of Peninsular Malaysia. Blood samples were obtained from 58 humans, 127 dogs, and 47 cats, that were recruited from two shelters. All humans and dogs appeared healthy, except few cats showed clinical signs of mild feline upper respiratory disease. Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) was used to detect anti-Leptospira antibodies against 20 pathogenic serovars. Based on the cut-off antibody titre ≥ 1:100, the sero-detection of Leptospira spp. in human, dogs, and cats were as 8.62%, 20.47%, and 14.89%, respectively. Serogroup Bataviae was found in human, dogs and cats, whereas Bataviae, Javanica, and Ballum were the common serogroups among dogs and cats. Anti-Leptospira antibodies titres were in the range from 1:100 to 1:200 in human and 1:100 to 1:400 in sheltered animals. Sero-detection studies of anti-Leptospira antibodies in shelters environment worldwide and regionally is necessary to increase the public health awareness and to understand the risk of this zoonotic disease. Furthermore, data regarding the predominant serogroups is needed in a local setting for further vaccination development studies. More studies are warranted to investigate the role of sheltered animals in leptospiral transmission in its environment.

Keywords: Bataviae; human; leptospirosis; MAT; shelter animals

ABSTRAK

Leptospirosis adalah penyakit zoonosis di seluruh dunia yang disebabkan oleh Leptospira spp. dan penyakit ini telah muncul sebagai salah satu isu utama kesihatan awam di seluruh dunia. Walaupun terdapat kajian yang luas mengenai leptospirosis, maklumat tentang leptospirosis di tempat perlindungan haiwan di Malaysia masih lagi terhad. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk menentukan antibodi anti-Leptospira dan juga mengenal pasti serokumpulan yang paling lazim ditemui dalam kalangan manusia dan haiwan di pusat perlindungan haiwan di bahagian barat dan selatan Semenanjung Malaysia. Sampel darah yang diambil daripada 58 orang manusia, 127 ekor anjing dan 47 ekor kucing telah direkrut dari dua pusat perlindungan haiwan. Kesemua manusia dan anjing yang direkrut kelihatan sihat, kecuali beberapa ekor kucing yang menunjukkan tanda-tanda klinikal ringan penyakit pernafasan atas felin. Ujian Aglutinasi Mikroskopik (MAT) digunakan untuk mengesan antibodi anti-Leptospira terhadap 20 serovar patogenik. Berdasarkan tahap titer antibodi ≥ 1: 100, sero-pengesanan untuk Leptospira spp. pada manusia, anjing dan kucing masing-masing adalah sebanyak 8.62%, 20.47% dan 14.89%. Serokumpulan Bataviae ditemui pada manusia, anjing dan kucing, manakala Bataviae, Javanica dan Ballum adalah serokumpulan yang lazim dalam kalangan anjing dan kucing. Titer antibodi anti-Leptospira yang direkodkan berada dalam lingkungan 1:100 hingga 1:200 untuk manusia dan 1:100 hingga 1:400 untuk haiwan yang terlindung. Kajian sero-pengesanan antibodi anti-Leptospira perlu dijalankan di persekitaran tempat perlindungan seluruh dunia dan serantau bagi meningkatkan kesedaran kesihatan orang awam dan juga memahami risiko penyakit zoonotik ini. Tambahan pula, data tentang serokumpulan yang dominan diperlukan dalam suasana setempat untuk kajian yang lebih lanjut seperti pembangunan vaksin. Lebih banyak kajian wajar dijalankan untuk mengkaji peranan haiwan terlindung dalam penyebaran leptospiral dan juga persekitarannya.

Kata kunci: Bataviae; leptospirosis; haiwan yang terlindung; manusia; MAT

RUJUKAN

Abiayi, E.A., Inabo, H.I., Jatau, E.D., Makinde, A.A., Sar, T.T. & Dangeri, M.A. 2015. Occurrence of leptospirae antibodies in abattoir workers in parts of North Central Nigeria. Research Journal of Immunology 8(1): 27-34.

Adler, B. & de la Pen˜a Moctezuma, A. 2009. Leptospira and leptospirosis. Journal of Veterinary Microbiology Journal 140(3-4): 287-296.

Al Kattan, G., Bahaman, A.R., Bejo, S.K., Zakaria, Z. & Garba, B. 2017. Serological and molecular prevalence of leptospira infection in rat populations in Kuala Lumpur. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 11: 62-72.

Alashraf, A.R., Lau, S.F., Khor, K.H., Khairani-Bejo, S., Bahaman, A.R., Roslan, M.A. & Radzi, R. 2019. Serological detection of anti-leptospira antibodies in shelter cats in Malaysia. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 34: 10-13.

Arbour, J., Blais, M.C., Carioto, L. & Sylvestre, D. 2012. Clinical leptospirosis in three cats (2001-2009). Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 48(4): 256-260.

Bahaman, A.R. & Ibrahim, A.L. 1988. A review of leptospirosis in Malaysia. Veterinary Research Communications 12: 179-189.

Benacer, D., Thong, K.L., Ooi, P.T., Souris, M., Lewis, J.W., Ahmed, A.A. & Mohd Zain, S.N. 2017. Serological and molecular identification of Leptospira spp. in swine and stray dogs from Malaysia. Tropical Biomedicine 34(1): 89-97.

Benacer, D., Mohd Zain, S.N., Sim, S.Z., Mohd Khalid, M.K.N., Galloway, R.L., Souris, M. & Thong, K.L. 2016a. Determination of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Javanica and Leptospira interrogans serovar Bataviae as the persistent Leptospira serovars circulating in the urban rat populations in Peninsular Malaysia. Parasites and Vectors 9(1): 117.

Benacer, D., Thong, K.L., Min, N.C., Verasahib, K. Bin., Galloway, R.L., Hartskeerl, R.A., Souris, M. & Zain, S.N.M. 2016b. Epidemiology of human leptospirosis in Malaysia, 2004-2012. Acta Tropica 157: 162-168.

Benacer, D., Thong, K.L., Verasahib, K. Bin., Galloway, R.L., Hartskeerl, R.A., Lewis, J.W. & Mohd Zain, S.N. 2016c. Human leptospirosis in Malaysia: Reviewing the challenges after 8 decades (1925-2012). Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 28: 290-302.

Bharti, A.R., Nally, J.E., Ricaldi, J.N., Matthias, M.A., Diaz, M.M., Lovett, M.A. & Vinetz, J.M. 2003. Reviews leptospirosis: A zoonotic disease of global importance. The Lancet. Infectious Diseases 3: 757-771.

Birnbaum, N., Barr, S.C., Center, S.A., Schermerhorn, T., Randolph, J.F. & Simpson, K.W. 1998. Naturally acquired leptospirosis in 36 dogs: Serological and clinicopathological features. The Journal of Small Animal Practice 39(5): 231-236.

Bourhy, P., Collet, L., Lernout, T., Zinini, F., Hartskeerl, R.A., van Der Linden, H. & Giry, C. 2012. Human Leptospira isolates circulating in Mayotte (Indian Ocean) have unique serological and molecular features. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 50(2): 307-311.

Budihal, S.V. & Perwez, K. 2014. Leptospirosis diagnosis: Competancy of various laboratory tests. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research 8(1): 199-202.

Catley, J.M. 2009. The prevalence of leptospira serovars causing infections in dogs in South Africa. Masters Theses, University of Pretoria, South Africa (Unpublished).

Chan, K.W., Hsu, Y.H., Hu, W.L., Pan, M.J., Lai, J.M., Huang, K.C. & Chou, S.J. 2014. Serological and PCR detection of feline Leptospira in Southern Taiwan. Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 14(1): 118-123.

Cosson, J.F., Picardeau, M., Mielcarek, M., Tatard, C., Chaval, Y., Suputtamongkol, Y. & Morand, S. 2014. Epidemiology of Leptospira transmitted by rodents in Southeast Asia. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases8(6): e2902.

Costa, F., Hagan, J.E., Calcagno, J., Kane, M., Torgerson, P., Martinez-Silveira, M.S. & Ko, A.I. 2015. Global morbidity and mortality of leptospirosis: A systematic review. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003898.

de Vries, S.G., Visser, B.J., Nagel, I.M., Goris, M.G.A., Hartskeerl, R.A. & Grobusch, M.P. 2014. Leptospirosis in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 28: 47-64.

Ellis, W.A. 1994. Leptospirosis as a cause of reproductive failure. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 10(3): 463-478.

Garba, B., Bahaman, A.R., Khairani-Bejo, S., Zakaria, Z. & Mutalib, A.R. 2017. Retrospective study of leptospirosis in Malaysia. EcoHealth 14(2): 389-398.

Hartmann, K., Egberink, H., Pennisi, M.G., Lloret, A., Addie, D., Belák, S. & Horzinek, M.C. 2013. Leptospira species infection in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 15(7): 576-581.

Hartskeel, R.A. 2002. Report of the Leptospirosis Outbreak in Indonesia, 2002. WHO/FAO/OIE/RIVM Leptospirosis Reference Centre, KIT Biomedical Research, Amsterdam. Report submitted to WHO South East Regional Office.

Hartskeerl, R.A. & Ellis, W.A. 2011. Emergence, control and re-emerging leptospirosis: Dynamics of infection in the changing world. Clinical Microbiology and Infection 17(4): 494-501.

Khor, K.H., Tan, W.X., Lau, S.F., Mohd, A.R., Rozanaliza, R., Siti, K.B. & Abdul, R.B. 2016. Seroprevalence and molecular detection of leptospirosis from a dog shelter. Tropical Biomedicine 33(2): 276-284.

Klaasen, H.L.B.M., Molkenboer, M.J.C.H., Vrijenhoek, M.P. & Kaashoek, M.J. 2003. Duration of immunity in dogs vaccinated against leptospirosis with a bivalent inactivated vaccine. Veterinary Microbiology 95(1): 121-132.

Ko, A.I., Goarant, C. & Picardeau, M. 2009. Leptospira: The dawn of the molecular genetics era for an emerging zoonotic pathogen. Nature Reviews: Microbiology 7(10): 736-747.

Laras, K., Van, C.B., Bounlu, K., Tien, N.T.K., Olson, J.G., Thongchanh, S. & Corwin, A.L. 2002. The importance of leptospirosis in Southeast Asia. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 67(3): 278-286.

Lau, S.F., Wong, J.Y., Khor, K.H., Roslan, M.A., Abdul Rahman, M.S., Bejo, S.K., Radzi, R. & Bahaman, A.R. 2017. Seroprevalence of leptospirosis in working dogs. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 32(4): 121-125.

Levett, P.N. 2001. Leptospirosis. Clinical Microbiology 14(2): 296-326.

Miotto, B.A., Gil, A., Guilloux, A., Tozzi, B.F., Moreno, Z., Santana, A. & Moreno, A.M. 2018. Prospective study of canine leptospirosis in shelter and stray dog populations: Identification of chronic carriers and different Leptospira species infecting dogs. PLoS ONE 13(7): e0200384.

Mylonakis, M.E., Bourtzi-Hatzopoulou, E., Koutinas, A.F., Petridou, E., Saridomichelakis, M.N., Leontides, L. & Siochu, A. 2005. Leptospiral seroepidemiology in a feline hospital population in Greece. Veterinary Record 156(19): 615-616.

Ooteman, M.C., Vago, A.R. & Koury, M.C. 2006. Evaluation of MAT, IgM ELISA and PCR methods for the diagnosis of human leptospirosis. Journal of Microbiological Methods 65(2): 247-257.

Pratt, N., Conan, A. & Rajeev, S. 2017. Leptospira seroprevalence in domestic dogs and cats on the Caribbean Island of Saint Kitts. Veterinary Medicine International https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/5904757.

Rafizah, A.A.N., Aziah, B.D., Azwany, Y.N., Imran, M.K., Rusli, A.M., Nazri, S.M., Nikman, A.M., Nabilah, I., Asma, H.S., Zahiruddin, W.M. & Zaliha, I. 2013. A hospital-based study on seroprevalence of leptospirosis among febrile cases in North Eastern Malaysia. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 17(6): 394-397.

Rodriguez, J., Blais, M.C., Lapointe, C., Arsenault, J., Carioto, L. & Harel, J. 2014. Serologic and urinary PCR survey of leptospirosis in healthy cats and in cats with kidney disease. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 28(2): 284-293.

Rojas, P., Monahan, A.M., Schuller, S. & Miller, I.S. 2010. Detection and quantification of leptospires in urine of dogs: A maintenance host for the zoonotic disease leptospirosis. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases 29(10): 1305-1309.

Schuller, S., Francey, T., Hartmann, K., Hugonnard, M., Kohn, B., Nally, J.E. & Sykes, J. 2015. European consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs and cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice 56(3): 159-179.

Sessions, J.K. & Greene, C.E. 2004. Canine leptospirosis: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian 26(8): 606-623.

Shafei, M.N., Sulong, M.R., Yaacob, N.A., Hassan, H., Wan Mohamad, W.M.Z., Daud. & Abdullah, M.R. 2012. Seroprevalence of leptospirosis among town service workers in Northeastern State of Malaysia. International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health 4(4): 395-403.

Sharma, M. & Yodav, A.R. 2008. Leptospirosis: Epidemiology, diagnosis, and control. Journal of Infectious Disease and Antimicrobial Agents 25(2): 93-103.

Sykes, J.E., Hartmann, K., Lunn, K.F., Moore, G.E., Stoddard, R.A. & Goldstein, R.E. 2011. 2010 ACVIM small animal consensus statement on leptospirosis: Diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, and prevention. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 25(1): 1-13.

Wasiński, B. & Dutkiewicz, J. 2013. Leptospirosis-current risk factors connected with human activity and the environment. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine: AAEM 20(2): 239-244.

Weis, S., Rettinger, A., Bergmann, M., Llewellyn, J.R., Pantchev, N., Straubinger, R.K. & Hartmann, K. 2017. Detection of Leptospira DNA in urine and presence of specific antibodies in outdoor cats in Germany. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 19(4): 470-476.

*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: lausengfong@hotmail.com