Molecular detection of leptospiral DNA in kidney and liver samples of wild long-tailed macaques in Selangor, West Malaysia

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease that is re-emerging and is caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira. Although rodents are acknowledged as the most significant reservoirs of the disease, domestic and wild animals play a substantial role in the epidemiology of leptospirosis by acting as either natural or incidental hosts. Malaysia is the epicentre of leptospirosis, with a significant population of wild long-tailed macaques. The investigation collected 120 samples from 14 wildlife-human conflict zones in Selangor, with 60 samples each from kidney and liver tissues. Each tissue was subjected to PCR after DNA extraction, with a focus on the 16S rRNA gene for intermediate serovars and lipL32 for pathogenic serovars. When exclusively examining kidney tissues, Leptospiral DNA was detected in 16.67% (10/60) of kidney samples that targeted the 16S rRNA gene, while no Leptospiral DNA was detected in the liver tissues. The Leptospiral DNA detection rate was 8.33% (10/120) when all samples from the liver and kidney were combined. Although 24% (6/25) of male and 11.4% (4/35) of female macaque kidney samples tested positive, no statistically significant association between Leptospiral detection and sex was observed (p > 0.05). Despite the fact that the DNA detected was of intermediate Leptospira, it is important to not underestimate its potential to significantly contribute to the epidemiology of leptospirosis. The invasion of households and public buildings in certain regions of the study area by long-tailed macaques is a cause for concern not only for public health, but also for the potential transmission of Leptospira to domestic animals, wild animals, and humans through their urine contamination.

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