Leptospira interrogans

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leptospira interrogans is a species of obligate aerobic spirochetes.[1] This species is pathogenic to some wild and domestic animals, including pet dogs. It can also spread to humans, where infection can cause flu-like symptoms with renal and hepatic damage.[2] L. interrogans is mainly found in tropical regions, where waste treatment is underdeveloped.[2]  

Biology and Biochemistry[]

Morphology[]

L. interrogans cells are gram-negative motile spirochetes, with two periplasmic flagella.[1] The cells are thin, about 0.1 µm, and long, between 6-20 µm, with hooked ends.[3] These hooked ends often resemble a question mark, and this is where the name ‘interrogans’ comes from.[4]

Leptospira interrogans
Leptospira interrogans strain RGA 01.png
Scanning electron micrograph of Leptospira interrogans.
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Spirochaetes
Order: Spirochaetales
Family: Leptospiraceae
Genus: Leptospira
Species:
L. interrogans
Binomial name
Leptospira interrogans
(Stimson 1907) Wenyon 1926 (Approved Lists 1980)

Metabolism/Physiology[]

L. interrogans grows in a pH range of 7.2 to 7.6, with an optimum pH of 7.4. Growth is observed at a temperature range of 28 ℃ to 30 ℃.[4] The major energy and carbon source of this organism is beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acids, with oxygen being the terminal electron acceptor.[5] L. interrogans has only one glucose uptake system, known as the glucose sodium symporter.[6]

Genomics[]

L. interrogans genome consists of two circular chromosomes. The larger chromosome has a total genome size of 4.3 Mbp and the smaller chromosome has a size of 358, 943 bp.[7] It has a G+C content of 35.1% and contains 3,454 protein coding genes.[6]

Environment[]

L. interrogans is a host-associated bacteria and most infections are found in tropical regions. In the host environment, L. interrogans are first found in the blood of hosts. From here it moves on to infect several organs. The kidney is where L. interrogans cells survive and multiply the best. It mostly spreads through the bodily fluids of infected animals. The pathogen can enter the body of a new host through skin and mucous membranes, as well as consumption of contaminated waters.[8] Infected wild and domestic animals can continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment for several years and the bacteria can survive in soil and water for months at a time.[2]

Pathogenicity in Humans[]

The spirochete pathogen Leptospira interrogans is the main cause of human leptospirosis. In humans, disease caused by L. interrogans is classified as either icteric or anicteric. The icteric form is also known as Weil’s disease.[9] Symptoms can appear anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks after exposure. Phase 1 of infection is anicteric and symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Most cases, about 90%, of infection in humans will only consist of this phase, however it is possible for the disease to progress into phase 2. This is also known as the icteric phase and the symptoms of this phase include petechiae, hepatomegaly, jaundice, renal tubular damage, and subsequent renal insufficiency.[9] Drugs that have been used in the management of infection by L. interrogans include oxytetracycline, doxycycline and penicillin.[2]

There are more than 200 diverse pathogenic Leptospira serovars that make it challenging to develop an effective vaccine.[10] However, vaccines for the serovars known as Hardjo, Pomona, Canicola, Grippotyphosa and icterohaemorrhagiae have been developed. Unfortunately, these vaccines display suboptimal protection, need frequent booster doses and are specific to certain serovars.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Ren, Shuang-Xi; Fu, Gang; Jiang, Xiu-Gao; Zeng, Rong; Miao, You-Gang; Xu, Hai; Zhang, Yi-Xuan; Xiong, Hui; Lu, Gang; Lu, Ling-Feng; Jiang, Hong-Quan (April 2003). "Unique physiological and pathogenic features of Leptospira interrogans revealed by whole-genome sequencing". Nature. 422 (6934): 888–893. Bibcode:2003Natur.422..888R. doi:10.1038/nature01597. ISSN 1476-4687. PMID 12712204. S2CID 4415685.
  2. ^ a b c d "Leptospirosis | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 2019-03-13. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  3. ^ , Wikipedia, 2021-09-07, retrieved 2021-11-23
  4. ^ a b "Leptospiraceae - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  5. ^ Evangelista, Karen V; Coburn, Jenifer (September 2010). "Leptospira as an emerging pathogen: a review of its biology, pathogenesis and host immune responses". Future Microbiology. 5 (9): 1413–1425. doi:10.2217/fmb.10.102. ISSN 1746-0913. PMC 3037011. PMID 20860485.
  6. ^ a b Nascimento, A. L. T. O.; Ko, A. I.; Martins, E. A. L.; Monteiro-Vitorello, C. B.; Ho, P. L.; Haake, D. A.; Verjovski-Almeida, S.; Hartskeerl, R. A.; Marques, M. V.; Oliveira, M. C.; Menck, C. F. M. (April 2004). "Comparative Genomics of Two Leptospira interrogans Serovars Reveals Novel Insights into Physiology and Pathogenesis". Journal of Bacteriology. 186 (7): 2164–2172. doi:10.1128/JB.186.7.2164-2172.2004. ISSN 0021-9193. PMC 374407. PMID 15028702.
  7. ^ Nascimento, A.L.T.O.; Verjovski-Almeida, S.; Van Sluys, M.A.; Monteiro-Vitorello, C.B.; Camargo, L.E.A.; Digiampietri, L.A.; Harstkeerl, R.A.; Ho, P.L.; Marques, M.V.; Oliveira, M.C.; Setubal, J.C. (April 2004). "Genome features of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni". Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research. 37 (4): 459–477. doi:10.1590/s0100-879x2004000400003. ISSN 0100-879X. PMC 2666282. PMID 15064809.
  8. ^ Johnson, Russell C. (1996), Baron, Samuel (ed.), "Leptospira", Medical Microbiology (4th ed.), Galveston (TX): University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, ISBN 978-0-9631172-1-2, PMID 21413339, retrieved 2021-11-23
  9. ^ a b Wang, Sicong; Stobart Gallagher, Megan A.; Dunn, Noel (2021), "Leptospirosis", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 28722888, retrieved 2021-11-23
  10. ^ a b Wang, Zhijun; Jin, Li; Węgrzyn, Alicja (2007-12-11). "Leptospirosis vaccines". Microbial Cell Factories. 6: 39. doi:10.1186/1475-2859-6-39. ISSN 1475-2859. PMC 2231387. PMID 18072968.

External links[]

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