THREE CASES OF CLINICAL LEPTOSPIROSIS IN PATAGONIAN MARAS ().

Abstract

Rodents are typically viewed as asymptomatic reservoirs for leptospirosis infection, as clinical disease in rodents is rarely described. This report includes three separate cases of leptospirosis in Patagonian maras () over a 3-yr period in multiple locations within a single zoo. All three cases presented with varying clinical signs including lethargy, conjunctival hyperemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and presumed renal azotemia. Infection withspp. was diagnosed antemortem by PCR on whole blood (= 1, Case 1) or urine (= 2, Cases 2 and 3).antibody titers measured by serum microagglutination testing (= 3) were elevated or increased in all three animals over a 1-3-wk period forserovars Bratislava and Hardjo (Case 1) and Grippotyphosa (Case 2 and 3). Two of the three animals responded to treatment with penicillin and doxycycline and supportive care, whereas one animal did not respond to treatment. Postmortem findings in this individual included conjunctivitis, chemosis, dehydration, icterus, tricavitary serosanguinous effusions, necrotizing hepatitis, diffuse pulmonary congestion, and edema. Immunohistochemical examination identified scatteredorganisms within hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells. A wild raccoon () at the institution tested positive by PCR on kidney tissue for the samespp. serovar and was the suspected source of infection. This case series highlights the clinical importance of leptospirosis as a differential for Patagonian maras presenting with lethargy, ocular signs, acute hepatic disease, and azotemia.