Molecular Epidemiology of Pathogenic Leptospira spp. Infecting Dogs in Latin America

Canine leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Infections can vary from asymptomatic and chronic infections to clinical acute diseases. The endemic in tropical areas, such as Latin American countries, but broad understanding dynamics circulation strains, based on molecular data, has not yet been performed. Based silico analyses, present study aims analyze genetic diversity patterns haplotypes pathogenic leptospires infecting dogs America. DNA sequences were obtained GenBank platform, curated, aligned. Genetic distances calculated, maximum likelihood tree haplotype network constructed. According inclusion criteria adopted, total 148 identified. Most records Brazil, including L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae. Phylogenetic analysis showed genetically closely related cluster, consisting larger haplogroup that includes reference strain Fiocruz L1-130, known be major circulating humans. Moreover, no variations observed according history and/or geographical localization. We described epidemiology among America demonstrated very homogeneous group, elucidating its ubiquitous pattern drawing attention important role One Health transmission leptospirosis.