Advances in Research of Leptospirosis: Omics, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Immune Response and Mutagenesis

Dear Colleagues,

Pathogenic Leptospira spp. are the etiologic agents of leptospirosis. The disease is the most spread zoonosis. The global burden of leptospirosis is estimated to be over one million annual cases. In developing countries, areas with inadequate infrastructure favor the proliferation of rats, the main reservoir of Leptospira. Infection occurs generally through direct or indirect contact with the urine of infected animals. Symptoms of leptospirosis are similar to acute febrile syndromes and, therefore, is misdiagnosed, and, most probably, underestimate. In developed countries, this disease is mostly associated with recreational activities or occupational activities. Leptospirosis has also an economic impact worldwide as it affects livestock, by decreasing milk production and causing premature death.

Currently, bacterin-based immunization using whole inactivated bacteria cells are the only options for the prevention of leptospirosis. Nevertheless, this approach is limited by a series of disadvantages involving short-term immunity and the absence of cross-reactivity among serovars. Difficulties involved to implement mutagenesis of Leptospira, allied to the lack of molecular aspects of leptospiral pathogenesis and immune response involved during leptospiral infection have impaired the development of effective strategies to control this disease.

This Research Topic aims to enhance our knowledge of mutagenesis, host–pathogen interactions, immune response mechanisms associated with pathogenic Leptospira in hosts. 

This includes: 

• Identification of surface-exposed immunogenic targets;
• Biological aspects of leptospiral mutagenesis;
• Molecular and cellular aspects of host–pathogen interactions;
• Animal models for the study of leptospiral mutants;
• Immunization and protection against lethal infection in the hamster model of leptospirosis.

Dr. Ana L. T. O. Nascimento
Dr. Aline F. Teixeira
Dr. Luis G. V. Fernandes
Guest Editors

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• Leptospira
• leptospirosis
• omics
• neglected disease
• host–pathogens interactions
• mutagenesis
• virulence factors