First isolation of leptospira interrogans from conepatus chinga in Argentina

Abstract

To identify carriers of Leptospira spp. in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, we trapped wild animals: 10 Didelphis albiventris, five Chaetophractus villosus, two Lycalopex griseus and three Conepatus chinga. Blood samples from these animals were tested by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and one (5%: one Conepatus chinga) was positive for Leptospira Castellonis, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo and Icterohaemorrhagiae serovars, at titers of 1:50 and 1:200. Kidneys of all animal were cultured, and one isolate of L. interrogans from a Conepatus chinga was obtained. Hamsters inoculated with this isolate strain died six days later, with several pulmonary macroscopic lesions at autopsy; the histology study revealed congestion in liver, and congestion and hemorrhage in kidney and lungs. Isolated strain was identified by serologic and molecular methods as Leptospira interrogans serogroup Canicola, with a genetic profile similar to that of Hound Utrecht IV strain.