Leptospirosis and the Environment: A Review and Future Directions

Elizabeth A. Bradley; Graeme Lockaby

doi:10.3390/pathogens12091167

journal article Open Access Sep 16, 2023

Leptospirosis and the Environment: A Review and Future Directions

Elizabeth A. Bradley

Graeme Lockaby

Pathogens Vol. 12 No. 9 pp. 1167 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/pathogens12091167

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance with significant morbidity and mortality. However, the disease is frequently overlooked and underdiagnosed, leading to uncertainty of the true scale and severity of the disease. A neglected tropical disease, leptospirosis disproportionately impacts disadvantaged socioeconomic communities most vulnerable to outbreaks of zoonotic disease, due to contact with infectious animals and contaminated soils and waters. With growing evidence that Leptospira survives, persists, and reproduces in the environment, this paper reviews the current understanding of the pathogen in the environment and highlights the unknowns that are most important for future study. Through a systematic Boolean review of the literature, our study finds that detailed field-based study of Leptospira prevalence, survival, and transmission in natural waters and soils is lacking from the current literature. This review identified a strong need for assessment of physical characteristics and biogeochemical processes that support long-term viability of Leptospira in the environment followed by epidemiological assessment of the transmission and movement of the same strains of Leptospira in the present wildlife and livestock as the first steps in improving our understanding of the environmental stage of the leptospirosis transmission cycle.

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Published: Sep 16, 2023
Vol/Issue: 12(9)
Pages: 1167
License: View

Authors

E

Elizabeth A. Bradley

College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA

G

Graeme Lockaby

College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA

Cite This Article

Elizabeth A. Bradley, Graeme Lockaby (2023). Leptospirosis and the Environment: A Review and Future Directions. Pathogens, 12(9), 1167. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12091167

Leptospirosis and the Environment: A Review and Future Directions

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