Featured Publications
Vaccination With Leptospira interrogans PF07598 Gene Family-Encoded Virulence Modifying Proteins Protects Mice From Severe Leptospirosis and Reduces Bacterial Load in the Liver and Kidney
Chaurasia R, Salovey A, Guo X, Desir G, Vinetz JM. Vaccination With Leptospira interrogans PF07598 Gene Family-Encoded Virulence Modifying Proteins Protects Mice From Severe Leptospirosis and Reduces Bacterial Load in the Liver and Kidney. Frontiers In Cellular And Infection Microbiology 2022, 12: 926994. PMID: 35837473, PMCID: PMC9274288, DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.926994.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLethal challenge infectionChallenge infectionBacterial loadC3H/HeJ miceKey target organClinical pathogenesisSevere leptospirosisOrgan infectionProtein immunizationHeJ miceSerovar CanicolaTarget organsAnimal modelsLeptospirosis pathogenesisCellular pathogenesisMicePathogenesisInfectionLeptospira interrogansVirulence factorsModifying proteinsImmunizationKidneyLeptospirosisLiver
2023
Complete genome sequences of twelve strains of Leptospira interrogans isolated from humans in Sri Lanka
Senavirathna I, Jayasundara D, Warnasekara J, Matthias M, Vinetz J, Agampodi S. Complete genome sequences of twelve strains of Leptospira interrogans isolated from humans in Sri Lanka. Infection Genetics And Evolution 2023, 113: 105462. PMID: 37301334, DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105462.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
Culture-Independent Detection and Identification of Leptospira Serovars
Matthias M, Lubar A, Acharige S, Chaiboonma K, Pilau N, Marroquin A, Jayasundara D, Agampodi S, Vinetz J. Culture-Independent Detection and Identification of Leptospira Serovars. Microbiology Spectrum 2022, 10: e02475-22. PMID: 36445143, PMCID: PMC9769591, DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02475-22.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPublic health importanceProspective studyFatal diseaseHealth importanceOutbreak investigationSequence typingDog urine samplesCulture-independent assaysEnvironmental surveillance studyMultilocus sequence typingPulsed-field gel electrophoresisSurveillance studyGroup IIHuman leptospirosisPrognostic testSpecific real-time qPCRClinical settingGroup ILeptospira serovarsReal-time qPCRDiagnostic testsSerum samplesUrine samplesDiagnostic specificityLeptospirosisEtiologies of Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illnesses in and near Iquitos from 1993 to 1999 in the Amazon River Basin of Peru
Watts DM, Russell KL, Wooster MT, Sharp TW, Morrison AC, Kochel TJ, Bautista CT, Block K, Guevara C, Aguilar P, Palermo PM, Calampa C, Porter KR, Hayes CG, Weaver SC, de Rosa AT, Vinetz JM, Shope RE, Gotuzzo E, Guzman H, Tesh RB. Etiologies of Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illnesses in and near Iquitos from 1993 to 1999 in the Amazon River Basin of Peru. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2022, 107: 1114-1128. PMID: 36162442, PMCID: PMC9709010, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0259.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsArbovirusesEncephalitis Virus, Venezuelan EquineFeverHumansLeptospirosisMalariaPeruRiversConceptsFebrile illnessAcute undifferentiated febrile illnessUndifferentiated febrile illnessFebrile patientsAcute leptospirosisFebrile casesAsymptomatic infectionIgG antibodiesHealth burdenHealth clinicsClinical dataBlood samplesMicroscopic agglutinationDengue virusPatientsEncephalitis virusBlood smearsHuman morbidityLeptospira sppMalariaFurther studiesArbovirusesHealth impactsBaseline knowledgeEtiologyDiagnostic method-based underestimation of leptospirosis in clinical and research settings; an experience from a large prospective study in a high endemic setting
Warnasekara J, Srimantha S, Kappagoda C, Jayasundara D, Senevirathna I, Matthias M, Agampodi S, Vinetz J. Diagnostic method-based underestimation of leptospirosis in clinical and research settings; an experience from a large prospective study in a high endemic setting. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2022, 16: e0010331. PMID: 35377883, PMCID: PMC9009773, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010331.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgglutination TestsHumansLeptospiraLeptospirosisProspective StudiesRetrospective StudiesConceptsMicroscopic agglutination testProspective hospital-based studyLeptospirosis casesQuantitative PCRHigh endemic settingHospital-based studyClinical case definitionLarge prospective studiesDisease burden estimatesPublic health burdenStandard diagnostic testMonths of observationUndifferentiated feverAcute leptospirosisProspective studyCase definitionEndemic settingsHealth burdenTimely diagnosisBurden estimatesDiagnostic valueSignificant human mortalityAgglutination testStudy settingDiagnostic tests
2021
Clinical spectrum of endemic leptospirosis in relation to cytokine response
Dahanayaka NJ, Agampodi SB, Seneviratna I, Warnasekara J, Rajapakse R, Ranathunga K, Matthias M, Vinetz JM. Clinical spectrum of endemic leptospirosis in relation to cytokine response. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0261025. PMID: 34879100, PMCID: PMC8654203, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCytokine responsesLeptospirosis patientsClinical spectrumHigher IL-13 levelsHigher IL-5Acute kidney injuryHigher serum creatinineIL-13 levelsSerum cytokine levelsIL-6 levelsUniversity Teaching HospitalMultiplex cytokine kitKidney injuryLung involvementCytokine levelsSerum creatinineAcute phaseCytokine kitIL-1βAcute samplesConvalescence periodIL-8IL-5Prognostic informationEndemic settingsOptimizing the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) panel for the diagnosis of Leptospirosis in a low resource, hyper-endemic setting with varied microgeographic variation in reactivity
Jayasundara D, Gamage C, Senavirathna I, Warnasekara J, Matthias MA, Vinetz J, Agampodi S. Optimizing the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) panel for the diagnosis of Leptospirosis in a low resource, hyper-endemic setting with varied microgeographic variation in reactivity. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021, 15: e0009565. PMID: 34197457, PMCID: PMC8279374, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009565.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchImproving the leptospirosis disease burden assessment by including ambulatory patients from outpatient departments: a cross-sectional study
Warnasekara J, Aberathna P, Nanayakkara G, Vinetz J, Agampodi S. Improving the leptospirosis disease burden assessment by including ambulatory patients from outpatient departments: a cross-sectional study. F1000Research 2021, 9: 1129. PMID: 34123371, PMCID: PMC8145224, DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.26202.2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOutpatient departmentOPD patientsAmbulatory patientsDisease burdenPrimary care centersProvincial General HospitalCases of leptospirosisCross-sectional studyDisease burden assessmentMicroscopic agglutination testPublic health implicationsQuantitative polymerase chain reactionOPD settingRegional Public HospitalOPD visitsLeptospirosis patientsFever patientsPatient numbersHospital inpatientsPolymerase chain reactionCare centerGeneral HospitalBurden assessmentPatientsSame periodNext-Generation Sequencing Analysis of Pathogenic Leptospira: A Way Forward for Understanding Infectious Disease Dynamics in Low/Middle-Income, Disease-Endemic Settings.
Agampodi SB, Vinetz JM. Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of Pathogenic Leptospira: A Way Forward for Understanding Infectious Disease Dynamics in Low/Middle-Income, Disease-Endemic Settings. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2021, 104: 1625-1627. PMID: 33755589, PMCID: PMC8103479, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1518.Peer-Reviewed Original Research12 Novel clonal groups of Leptospira infecting humans in multiple contrasting epidemiological contexts in Sri Lanka
Jayasundara D, Senavirathna I, Warnasekara J, Gamage C, Siribaddana S, Kularatne SAM, Matthias M, Mariet JF, Picardeau M, Agampodi S, Vinetz J. 12 Novel clonal groups of Leptospira infecting humans in multiple contrasting epidemiological contexts in Sri Lanka. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021, 15: e0009272. PMID: 33735202, PMCID: PMC8009393, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009272.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsClonal groupsAcute kidney injuryL. interrogansMajor clinical challengeGlobal disease threatsLeptospira speciesL. interrogans infectionKidney injuryLiver impairmentCardiovascular involvementL. borgpeterseniiClinical presentationProspective studyClinical severityClinical challengePathogenic Leptospira speciesAnnual epidemicsUbiquitous zoonotic diseaseNew serogroupEpidemiological contextZoonotic diseaseCulture isolationLeptospiral culturesL. weiliiLeptospira diversity
2018
Experimental Infection of Rattus norvegicus by the Group II Intermediate Pathogen, Leptospira licerasiae.
Fernandez C, Lubar AA, Vinetz JM, Matthias MA. Experimental Infection of Rattus norvegicus by the Group II Intermediate Pathogen, Leptospira licerasiae. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2018, 99: 275-280. PMID: 29943708, PMCID: PMC6090328, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0844.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOral routeHuman seroreactivitySprague-Dawley ratsRoute of infectionExperimental infection modelQuantitative polymerase chain reactionTranscutaneous routeGastric gavageParenteral inoculationClinical historyPolymerase chain reactionRenal colonizationGroup IIKidney tissuePeruvian Amazon cityExperimental infectionInfectionInfection modelChain reactionSeroreactivityHigh rateRatsReservoir hostsAmazon cityGavage
2016
What Makes a Bacterial Species Pathogenic?:Comparative Genomic Analysis of the Genus Leptospira
Fouts DE, Matthias MA, Adhikarla H, Adler B, Amorim-Santos L, Berg DE, Bulach D, Buschiazzo A, Chang YF, Galloway RL, Haake DA, Haft DH, Hartskeerl R, Ko AI, Levett PN, Matsunaga J, Mechaly AE, Monk JM, Nascimento AL, Nelson KE, Palsson B, Peacock SJ, Picardeau M, Ricaldi JN, Thaipandungpanit J, Wunder EA, Yang XF, Zhang JJ, Vinetz JM. What Makes a Bacterial Species Pathogenic?:Comparative Genomic Analysis of the Genus Leptospira. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2016, 10: e0004403. PMID: 26890609, PMCID: PMC4758666, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004403.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenes/gene familiesProtein secretion systemComparative genomic analysisSignal peptide motifsCRISPR/Cas systemComputational biology analysisMammalian host adaptationBacterial pathogensWhole-genome analysisSialic acid biosynthesisLeptospira speciesEvolutionary relatednessSaprophytic Leptospira speciesGene familyMetabolic reconstructionGenomic comparisonSecretion motifBacterial virulence factorsHost adaptationSecretion systemGenome analysisAcid biosynthesisGenomic analysisNew insightsMammalian hosts
2012
Utility of Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction in Leptospirosis Diagnosis: Association of Level of Leptospiremia and Clinical Manifestations in Sri Lanka
Agampodi SB, Matthias MA, Moreno AC, Vinetz JM. Utility of Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction in Leptospirosis Diagnosis: Association of Level of Leptospiremia and Clinical Manifestations in Sri Lanka. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2012, 54: 1249-1255. PMID: 22354922, PMCID: PMC3404689, DOI: 10.1093/cid/cis035.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsQuantitative polymerase chain reactionClinical manifestationsPolymerase chain reactionBlood samplesChain reactionWhole bloodOnset of symptomsSensitivity of qPCRAssociation of levelsSerum/bloodMicroscopic agglutination test panelValid diagnostic testPatient blood samplesOptimal sample typeFailure patientsRenal failureWhole blood samplesPatient populationTimely diagnosisLeptospiral loadEndemic areasDay 2Day 15LeptospiremiaDiagnostic tests
2005
Clinical Spectrum of Pulmonary Involvement in Leptospirosis in a Region of Endemicity, with Quantification of Leptospiral Burden
Segura ER, Ganoza CA, Campos K, Ricaldi JN, Torres S, Silva H, Céspedes MJ, Matthias MA, Swancutt MA, Liñán R, Gotuzzo E, Guerra H, Gilman RH, Vinetz JM, Consortium P. Clinical Spectrum of Pulmonary Involvement in Leptospirosis in a Region of Endemicity, with Quantification of Leptospiral Burden. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2005, 40: 343-351. PMID: 15668855, PMCID: PMC2366057, DOI: 10.1086/427110.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPulmonary involvementFebrile patientsAcute respiratory distress syndromeMost fatal casesSevere pulmonary manifestationsRespiratory distress syndromePopulation-based studyEvidence of exposureDiagnosis of leptospirosisRegions of endemicityPulmonary complicationsMultiorgan failurePulmonary manifestationsPresumptive treatmentDistress syndromePulmonary hemorrhageSerologic testingIgM antibodiesClinical spectrumPulmonary casesFatal casesQuantitative real-time PCRReal-time PCRAntileptospiral antibodiesLeptospiral burdenA global research agenda for leptospirosis.
Cachay E, Vinetz J. A global research agenda for leptospirosis. Journal Of Postgraduate Medicine 2005, 51: 174-8. PMID: 16333188, PMCID: PMC2270399.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImpact of leptospirosisVaccine-induced protective immunityEffective adjunct treatmentPublic health effortsAdjunct treatmentProtective immunityClinical leptospirosisHealth research fundingHealth effortsLeptospirosis pathogenesisAppropriate mobilizationSpirochetal diseasesLeptospirosisLeptospirosis transmissionCollaborative international effortDiseaseMammalian reservoirsTreatmentHealthVeterinary healthMorbidityRural areasPathogenesisGlobal research agendaMortality
2001
Leptospirosis
Vinetz J. Leptospirosis. Current Opinion In Infectious Diseases 2001, 14: 527-538. PMID: 11964872, DOI: 10.1097/00001432-200110000-00005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPopulation-based studyViral hemorrhagic feverImportant zoonotic diseasePulmonary hemorrhageFebrile syndromeLethal complicationTyphoid vaccineClinical expressionLeptospiral geneHemorrhagic feverLeptospirosis vaccineInfectious diseasesLeptospirosisLeptospira spDiseaseVaccineZoonotic diseaseMammalian reservoir hostsLeptospiral strainsRecent reportsLeptospira genomeReservoir hostsPoor correlationComplicationsHemorrhage
2000
Detection of pathogenic Leptospira spp. infections among mammals captured in the Peruvian Amazon basin region.
Bunnell J, Hice C, Watts D, Montrueil V, Tesh R, Vinetz J. Detection of pathogenic Leptospira spp. infections among mammals captured in the Peruvian Amazon basin region. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2000, 63: 255-8. PMID: 11421373, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2000.63.255.Peer-Reviewed Original Research