Leptospirosis, an Underestimated Lethal Zoonosis Who’s Spread May Be Favored during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Authors: Barreto Argilagos G*, Rodríguez Torrens HC and Barreto Rodríguez H

DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000342

Volume 4, Issue 6

Abstract

Leptospirosis is the most widespread bacterial zoonosis in the contemporary world. Despite its negative impact on human and animal health, is underestimate since the last century. Several factors, objective and subjective, prevent an approach to the real behavior of leptospirosis. This proposal aims to alert to factors that can favor an expansion of leptospirosis during COVID-19. The main factors involved are at least six: a) its erroneous underestimation as zoonosis, first of all. b) The barriers between developed and underdeveloped countries, more influential than climatic aspects. c) The reduced presence of the humananimal- environment trinomial in the investigations carried out. d) The absence of the biofilm variable in the former studies. e) The underestimation of sheep, goats and horses as reservoirs of the spirochete. f) The gap between the knowledge generated with the molecular taxonomy of Leptospira spp. and diagnostic techniques used globally. The almost absolute subordination of surveillance systems and health services and institutions as a function of COVID-19 increases the lack of control of the old zoonosis and its consequent increase. The magnitude of the inadvertent impact has not assessed yet.

Keywords: COVID-19; Reemerging Diseases; Leptospira; Leptospirosis; Zoonosis

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