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Leptospirosis in Central America: Techniques for Diagnosis and Molecular Characterization

  • Leptospirosis in Mesoamerica (M Garcia, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. In Central America, Leptospira is endemic, and almost all countries experience frequent outbreaks. Diagnosis of leptospirosis is primarily based on serology. More technologically advanced methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are used in only a few laboratories, although it can identify genes specific to pathogenic species. New techniques, such as isothermal reactions and molecular ty** could also contribute to disease surveillance in humans, animals, and the environment.

Recent Findings

Advanced techniques, including molecular characterization methods, have been used only rarely up until now. In Nicaragua, we have used phenotypic analysis to characterize pathogenic Leptospira species and multiple locus sequence ty** (MLST) to facilitate the identification of a completely new serovar in Costa Rica.

Summary

Improved technology and expertise for molecular ty** of Leptospira are needed in order to improve surveillance and provide the basis for epidemiologic studies. Current MLST characterization schemes include representative strains known to be circulating in Central America, and a more widespread implementation of this technique could enrich information about the epidemiology of Leptospira and enable identification of novel strains emerging in the region.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Rodion Gorchakov in the Laboratory for Zoonotic and Vectorborne Diseases at Baylor College of Medicine for lending his expertise, when needed, on sequencing methods of Leptospira employed in his laboratory and for his encouragement of our ongoing work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Veterinario de Diagnóstico e Investigación (CEVEDI), Escuela de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua-León, (UNAN-León), Edificio Central, Contiguo a la Iglesia La Merced, Apartado Postal 68, León, Nicaragua

    Byron Flores Somarriba, Jessica Sheleby-Elías, William Jirón & Christiane Duttmann

  2. Department of Peditrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Avenue Suite 550, Texas 77030, Houston, USA

    Rebecca S. B. Fischer

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  1. Byron Flores Somarriba
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Correspondence to Byron Flores Somarriba.

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Byron Flores Somarriba, Jessica Sheleby-Elías, Rebecca S.B. Fischer, William Jirón, and Christiane Duttmann declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Leptospirosis in Mesoamerica

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Flores Somarriba, B., Sheleby-Elías, J., Fischer, R.S.B. et al. Leptospirosis in Central America: Techniques for Diagnosis and Molecular Characterization. Curr Trop Med Rep 4, 70–76 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40475-017-0106-6

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