Agregaciones celulares in vivo de Leptospira interrogans producidas por un aislamiento porcino capaz de formar biofilm

La leptospirosis es una zoonosis de amplia distribución causada por el género Leptospira. Las leptospiras existen de manera saprófita asociadas a ambientes acuáticos o como patógenos animales que también pueden sobrevivir en el agua. Trabajos previos demostraron que tanto las leptospiras saprófitas como las patógenas tienen la capacidad de formar biofilms, que consisten en una comunidad de bacterias embebidas en una matriz extracelular adherida a una superficie. Esta estructura tendría la función de proveer protección contra el medioambiente. En este estudio, analizamos la capacidad de formar biofilm en un aislamiento obtenido recientemente de un feto porcino abortado, caracterizado como Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona, y en la bacteria saprófita Leptospira biflexa serovar Patoc. Se estudió la formación de biofilm en distintas superficies (vidrio y poliestireno), las que se evaluaron por microscopía óptica, inmunofluorescencia y microscopía electrónica de barrido. La capacidad de formar agregaciones bacterianas in vivo se evaluó utilizando un modelo de cobayas preñadas infectadas con ambas cepas. Se obtuvieron biofilms tanto en las superficies plásticas como de vidrio. La microscopía de barrido mostró diferencias en la estructura del biofilm formado entre ambas cepas. Se observaron agregaciones celulares en vasos placentarios de los animales infectados con L. interrogans serovar Pomona. Los biofilms y las agregaciones celulares son compatibles con la vida saprofítica en el agua y podrían favorecer a los microorganismos patógenos en la colonización del hospedador, lo que podría llevar al aborto en los animales preñados.Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of ubiquitous distribution caused by spirochetes. Leptospires exist either as saprophytic water-associated organisms or as animal pathogens that can survive in water. Previous works have demonstrated that both saprophytic and pathogenic leptospires are able to produce functional biofilms, which consist of a community of bacteria embedded in an extracellular matrix attached to a surface. This structure is believed to provide protection from environmental aggressiveness. In the present study, we analyzed the capacity of biofilm formation both of a a recent field isolate of Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona obtained from an aborted swine fetus and of the saprophytic Leptospira biflexa serovar Patoc. We used light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and scanning electron microscopic examinations on glass and polystyrene plate models to evaluate the process in vitro. The ability to form bacterial aggregations in vivo was tested using pregnant guinea pigs infected with both strains. We obtained biofilms both on glass and plastic surfaces. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed differences in the biofilm structure formed by both strains. L. interrogans serovar Pomona cell aggregations were observed in placental tissues by light microscopy. Biofilms and cell aggregations are consistent with the life of saprophytic strains in water and could help pathogenic strains to colonize the host and lead to abortion in pregnant animals.Fil: Brihuega, Bibiana. No especifíca;Fil: Samartino, Luis Ernesto. No especifíca;Fil: Auteri, Carmelo. No especifíca;Fil: Venzano, Agustín. No especifíca;Fil: Caimi, Karina Cynthia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Agregaciones celulares in vivo de Leptospira interrogans producidas por un aislamiento porcino capaz de formar biofilm

La leptospirosis es una zoonosis de amplia distribución causada por el género Leptospira. Las leptospiras existen de manera saprófita asociadas a ambientes acuáticos o como patógenos animales que también pueden sobrevivir en el agua. Trabajos previos demostraron que tanto las leptospiras saprófitas como las patógenas tienen la capacidad de formar biofilms, que consisten en una comunidad de bacterias embebidas en una matriz extracelular adherida a una superficie. Esta estructura tendría la función de proveer protección contra el medioambiente. En este estudio, analizamos la capacidad de formar biofilm en un aislamiento obtenido recientemente de un feto porcino abortado, caracterizado como Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona, y en la bacteria saprófita Leptospira biflexa serovar Patoc. Se estudió la formación de biofilm en distintas superficies (vidrio y poliestireno), las que se evaluaron por microscopía óptica, inmunofluorescencia y microscopía electrónica de barrido. La capacidad de formar agregaciones bacterianas in vivo se evaluó utilizando un modelo de cobayas preñadas infectadas con ambas cepas. Se obtuvieron biofilms tanto en las superficies plásticas como de vidrio. La microscopía de barrido mostró diferencias en la estructura del biofilm formado entre ambas cepas. Se observaron agregaciones celulares en vasos placentarios de los animales infectados con L. interrogans serovar Pomona. Los biofilms y las agregaciones celulares son compatibles con la vida saprofítica en el agua y podrían favorecer a los microorganismos patógenos en la colonización del hospedador, lo que podría llevar al aborto en los animales preñados.Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of ubiquitous distribution caused by spirochetes. Leptospires exist either as saprophytic water-associated organisms or as animal pathogens that can survive in water. Previous works have demonstrated that both saprophytic and pathogenic leptospires are able to produce functional biofilms, which consist of a community of bacteria embedded in an extracellular matrix attached to a surface. This structure is believed to provide protection from environmental aggressiveness. In the present study, we analyzed the capacity of biofilm formation both of a a recent field isolate of Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona obtained from an aborted swine fetus and of the saprophytic Leptospira biflexa serovar Patoc. We used light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and scanning electron microscopic examinations on glass and polystyrene plate models to evaluate the process in vitro. The ability to form bacterial aggregations in vivo was tested using pregnant guinea pigs infected with both strains. We obtained biofilms both on glass and plastic surfaces. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed differences in the biofilm structure formed by both strains. L. interrogans serovar Pomona cell aggregations were observed in placental tissues by light microscopy. Biofilms and cell aggregations are consistent with the life of saprophytic strains in water and could help pathogenic strains to colonize the host and lead to abortion in pregnant animals.Fil: Brihuega, Bibiana. No especifíca;Fil: Samartino, Luis Ernesto. No especifíca;Fil: Auteri, Carmelo. No especifíca;Fil: Venzano, Agustín. No especifíca;Fil: Caimi, Karina Cynthia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

First isolation of Leptospira interrogans from the arboreal squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus introduced in Argentina

We isolated Leptospira strains from renal tissue samples of Asiatic red-bellied squirrels Callosciurus erythraeus, captured in Argentina. In December 2008, we captured 34 squirrels in the province of Santa Fe during a short control campaign, which were screened for Leptospira spp. by direct immunofluorescence assays and isolation attempts in renal tissue samples. A prevalence of 38% of Leptospira spp. was obtained by direct immunofluorescence. The isolates, genotyped by the MLVA, were identified as L. interrogans Canicola (N = 2) and L. interrogans Icterohaemorraghiae (N = 1), showing an identical genetic profile to the reference strains Hond Utrech IV (serovar Canicola, serogroup Canicola) and M20 (serovar Copenhageni, serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae), respectively. Our study shows for the first time that the red-bellied squirrel is a renal carrier of Leptospira interrogans and might act as a reservoir of leptospirosis both in native range and areas of introduction within several European countries, Japan and Argentina. The close association of this introduced squirrel species with humans and domestic animals may increase the probability of disease transmission, particularly in favourable environments.Fil: Gozzi, Ana Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Guichon, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Benitez, Verónica Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Graciela Noemi. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas; ArgentinaFil: Auteri, Carmelo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas; ArgentinaFil: Brihuega, Bibiana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas; Argentin

First isolation of Leptospira interrogans from the arboreal squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus introduced in Argentina

We isolated Leptospira strains from renal tissue samples of Asiatic red-bellied squirrels Callosciurus erythraeus, captured in Argentina. In December 2008, we captured 34 squirrels in the province of Santa Fe during a short control campaign, which were screened for Leptospira spp. by direct immunofluorescence assays and isolation attempts in renal tissue samples. A prevalence of 38% of Leptospira spp. was obtained by direct immunofluorescence. The isolates, genotyped by the MLVA, were identified as L. interrogans Canicola (N = 2) and L. interrogans Icterohaemorraghiae (N = 1), showing an identical genetic profile to the reference strains Hond Utrech IV (serovar Canicola, serogroup Canicola) and M20 (serovar Copenhageni, serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae), respectively. Our study shows for the first time that the red-bellied squirrel is a renal carrier of Leptospira interrogans and might act as a reservoir of leptospirosis both in native range and areas of introduction within several European countries, Japan and Argentina. The close association of this introduced squirrel species with humans and domestic animals may increase the probability of disease transmission, particularly in favourable environments.Instituto de PatobiologíaFil: Gozzi, Ana Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Guichon, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; Argentina.Fil: Benitez, Verónica Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Graciela Noemi. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Auteri, Carmelo Domingo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Brihuega, Bibiana Felicitas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; Argentin

Primer aislamiento de Leptospira borgpetersenii de un feto de jabalí (Sus scrofa)

La leptospirosis es una zoonosis mundial y es endémica en muchos países. Esta enfermedad se mantiene en la naturaleza por la infección renal crónica de los animales portadores; los roedores y otros mamíferos pequeños son los reservorios más importantes. Además, otras fuentes importantes de infección para el humano son los animales domésticos, como el ganado y los perros. El jabalí (Sus scrofa) es una especie introducida de Europa que está muy extendida en América y particularmente en el centro y sur de Argentina. Esta especie es muy valorada por los cazadores de la región y su carne se consume con mayor frecuencia. En muchos países del mundo (Europa, EE. UU. y Australia) se han realizado estudios sobre seroprevalencia, la seroreactividad no significa que el jabalí manifieste síntomas clínicos de leptospirosis o que los jabalíes sean reservorios de este patógeno bacteriano. Sin embargo, estos animales han estado en contacto con leptospiras en su entorno en el pasado. Este estudio tiene el objetivo de tipificar molecularmente la cepa aislada obtenida a partir de 4 fetos de jabalíes (Sus scrofa) provenientes de la Patagonia argentina. Se realizaron necropsias de los 4 fetos y se cultivaron muestras de riñones, hígado, bazo y pulmón en medios Fletcher y EMJH. Además, las muestras de hígado, bazo, pulmón y riñón de los fetos se procesaron y analizaron por inmunofluorescencia directa. Se utilizó el análisis de repeticiones en tándem de número variable de locus múltiple (MLVA) para caracterizar la cepa aislada. El perfil genético de la cepa de leptospira fue idéntica al perfil de Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Castellonis Castellon 3 perteneciente al serogrupo Ballum. Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer aislamiento de Leptospira spp. de un feto de jabalí.Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonose and is endemic in many countries. This disease is maintained in nature by chronic renal infection of carrier animals, being rodents and other small mammals the most important reservoirs. Also, significant sources of human infection are domestic animals, such as livestock and dogs. The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is an introduced species from Europe which is widespread in America and particularly in the Center and South of Argentina. This species is highly valued by hunters in the region and their meat is consumed more often. In many countries of the world (Europe, USA and Australia) studies of seroprevalence have been carried out, the seroreactivity does not mean that the wild boar has clinical symptoms of leptospirosis or that wild boars are maintenance host of this pathogen. However, these animals have been in contact to leptospiras in their environment in the past. This study has the objective to molecularly genotype the pathogenic Leptospira sp. isolated strain obtained from fetuses of wild boars from Patagonia Argentina. Four fetuses were aborted from a wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Patagonia, the southern region of Argentina. Necropsy was performed of the 4 fetuses and samples of kidneys, liver, spleen and lung were cultivated in Fletcher and EMJH mediums. Also, samples of liver, spleen, lung and kidney of fetuses were processed and analyzed by direct immunofluorescence. Multiple Locus Variable number tandem repeats Analysis (MLVA) was used to characterize the isolated strain. The genetic profile of the isolated pathogenic Leptospira sp. strain was identical to the profile of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Castellonis Castellon 3, serogroup Ballum. To the best of our knowledge this is the first isolation of Leptospira spp. from a wild boar fetus.Instituto de PatobiologíaFil: Brihuega, Bibiana Felicitas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Samartino, Luis Ernesto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Graciela Noemi. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Auteri, Carmelo Domingo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Mara Leila. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Grune Loffler, Sylvia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Grune Loffler, Sylvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

The Future of Cities

This report is an initiative of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the science and knowledge service of the European Commission (EC), and supported by the Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO). It highlights drivers shaping the urban future, identifying both the key challenges cities will have to address and the strengths they can capitalise on to proactively build their desired futures. The main aim of this report is to raise open questions and steer discussions on what the future of cities can, and should be, both within the science and policymaker communities. While addressing mainly European cities, examples from other world regions are also given since many challenges and solutions have a global relevance. The report is particularly novel in two ways. First, it was developed in an inclusive manner – close collaboration with the EC’s Community of Practice on Cities (CoP-CITIES) provided insights from the broader research community and city networks, including individual municipalities, as well as Commission services and international organisations. It was also extensively reviewed by an Editorial Board. Secondly, the report is supported by an online ‘living’ platform which will host future updates, including additional analyses, discussions, case studies, comments and interactive maps that go beyond the scope of the current version of the report. Steered by the JRC, the platform will offer a permanent virtual space to the research, practice and policymaking community for sharing and accumulating knowledge on the future of cities. This report is produced in the framework of the EC Knowledge Centre for Territorial Policies and is part of a wider series of flagship Science for Policy reports by the JRC, investigating future perspectives concerning Artificial Intelligence, the Future of Road Transport, Resilience, Cybersecurity and Fairness Interactive online platform : https://urban.jrc.ec.europa.eu/thefutureofcitiesJRC.B.3-Territorial Developmen

First Isolation of Leptospira borgpetersenii from Fetuses of Wild Boars (Sus scrofa)

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonose and is endemic in many countries. This zoonosisis maintained in nature by chronic renal infection of carrier animals, being rodents andother small mammals the most important reservoirs. Also, significant sources of humaninfection are domestic animals, such as livestock and dogs. The wild boar (Sus scrofa)is an introduced species from Europe which is widespread in America and particularlyin the Center and South of Argentina. This species is highly valued by hunters in theregion and their meat is consumed more often. In many countries of the world (Europe,USA and Australia) studies of seroprevalence have been carried out, the seroreactivitydoes not mean that the wild boar has clinical symptoms of leptospirosis or that wildboars are maintenance host of this pathogen. However, these animals have been incontact to leptospiras in their environment in the past. This study has the objective tomolecularly genotype the pathogenic Leptospira sp. isolated strain obtained fromfetuses of wild boars from Patagonia Argentina. Four fetuses were aborted from a wildboar (Sus scrofa) in Patagonia, the southern region of Argentina. Necropsy wasperformed of the 4 fetuses and samples of kidneys, liver, spleen and lung werecultivated in Fletcher and EMJH mediums. Also, samples of liver, spleen, lung andkidney of fetuses were processed and analyzed by direct immunofluorescence.Multiple Locus Variable number tandem repeats Analysis (MLVA) was used tocharacterize the isolated strain. The genetic profile of the isolated pathogenicLeptospira sp. strain was identical to the profile of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovarCastellonis Castellon 3, serogroup Ballum. To the best of our knowledge this is the firstisolation of Leptospira spp. from a wild boar fetus.Fil: Brihuega, Bibiana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Grune Loffler, Sylvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Samartino, Luis Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Graciela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Auteri, Carmelo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Mara. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; Argentin

Genotypes of pathogenic Leptospira spp isolated from rodents in Argentina

Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis in the world and significant efforts have been made to determine and classify pathogenic Leptospira strains. This zoonosis is maintained in nature through chronic renal infections of carrier animals, with rodents and other small mammals serving as the most important reservoirs. Additionally, domestic animals, such as livestock and dogs, are significant sources of human infection. In this study, a multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) was applied to genotype 22 pathogenic Leptospira strains isolated from urban and periurban rodent populations from different regions of Argentina. Three MLVA profiles were identified in strains belonging to the species Leptospira interrogans (serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola); one profile was observed in serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae and two MLVA profiles were observed in isolates of serovars Canicola and Portlandvere. All strains belonging to Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Castellonis exhibited the same MLVA profile. Four different genotypes were isolated from urban populations of rodents, including both mice and rats and two different genotypes were isolated from periurban populations