Maximizing the chances of detecting pathogenic leptospires in mammals: the evaluation of field samples and a multi-sample-per-mammal, multi-test approach.

Identification of wild animals that harbour the causative leptospires, and the identification of the most important of these ‘wild reservoirs’ (in terms of threat to human health), are key factors in the epidemiology of human leptospirosis. In an epidemiological investigation in the Australian state of Queensland, in 2007–2008, samples were collected from fruit bats (Pteropus conspicillatus) and rodents (to investigate the potential role of fruit bats in the maintenance and transmission of leptospires to ground‐dwelling rodents) and checked for pathogenic leptospires. The results of these studies have now been carefully analysed in attempts to see which method of detection and type of test sample were best. The effects of pentobarbitone sodium used to euthanize wild mammals before collection of necropsy samples, on the survival and detection of leptospires in vitro, were also explored. In the earlier field investigation, serum, renal tissue and urine were collected from wild mammals, for the detection of ...