Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41253735›Full record

ArticleZoonoses and public health2026

Genotyping Reveals Potential Sources of Human Leptospirosis Outbreaks in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Shahista Nisa, Stuart Littlejohn, Ahmed Fayaz, Scarlet Deen, Maryna Sokolova, Paul Ogbuigwe, Marie Moinet, Adrian L Cookson, Julie Collins-Emerson, Chris N Niebuhr and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Zoonoses and public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Shahista NisaMolecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science-Tāwharau Ora, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1721-0808
Stuart LittlejohnMolecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science-Tāwharau Ora, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Ahmed FayazMolecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science-Tāwharau Ora, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Scarlet DeenMolecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science-Tāwharau Ora, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Maryna SokolovaMolecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science-Tāwharau Ora, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Paul OgbuigweMolecular Biology Laboratory, Health NZ-Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Marie MoinetAgResearch, Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8833-2717
Adrian L CooksonMolecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science-Tāwharau Ora, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8197-3386
Julie Collins-EmersonMolecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science-Tāwharau Ora, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4399-4805
Chris N NiebuhrManaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand.
Emilie ValleeEpiCentre, School of Veterinary Science-Tāwharau Ora, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Jonathan MarshallSchool of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Jackie BenschopMolecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science-Tāwharau Ora, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7814-4341

Funding

Health Research Council of New Zealand 18/239Health Research Foundation Hawke's BayMassey University BVSc Student ScholarshipsMassey University Research FundMassey University Strategic Research Excellence FundRoyston Health Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe introduction of PCR testing for leptospirosis in Aotearoa New Zealand has reduced the availability of serotyping data, and current diagnostic PCRs do not routinely genotype Leptospira. This study genotyped Leptospira from PCR-confirmed human cases between 2016 and 2023 and compared them with genotypes found in animals to identify potential sources of infection in a 2023 human leptospirosis outbreak.

methodsHuman samples were genotyped using glmU amplicon sequencing and compared to animal genotypes from previous studies. In addition, human national surveillance data were analysed to provide broader epidemiological context including regional distribution to reveal outbreak areas; diagnostic test usage to assess trends; serotyping results to evaluate consistency across methods; and demographic information to evaluate the representativeness of the genotyped dataset. Chi-squared and Poisson regression were used to assess host-genotype associations, and phylogenetics evaluated genetic relatedness.

resultsSurveillance data showed flood-associated outbreaks in several regions and a significant shift in diagnostic practice (p ≤ 0.001), with increased use of PCR. Genotyping of PCR-confirmed cases revealed a rise in Pomona infections in 2023 across rural flood-associated regions (Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui, Waikato and Wairarapa). In contrast, the Auckland region-including Aotearoa's largest city which also experienced flooding-had infections linked to Ballum, Copenhageni and Balcanica NZ. In animals, Pomona was primarily detected in sheep (Ovis aries), followed by cattle, while Ballum, Copenhageni and Balcanica NZ were primarily detected in mice (Mus musculus), Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) and brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), respectively.

conclusionsFlooding-driven outbreaks in rural areas with pastoral livestock were predominantly linked to livestock-associated strains, while urban cases were associated with rodents and small wildlife. These findings highlight the need for tailored mitigation strategies addressing distinct epidemiological risks in rural and urban settings. Surveillance strategies should be adapted to preserve typing capabilities to better inform public health responses in future outbreaks.

Indexed as

Disease OutbreaksLeptospiraLeptospirosisAdultAnimalsFemaleGenotypeHumansMaleMiddle AgedNew ZealandZoonosesdiagnosticsdiseasefloodingLeptospiratypingzoonotic

Identifiers

PMID41253735
PMCPMC12765973

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.