Leptospira interrogans Associated with the Common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus) from the Neotropical Region of Mexico

The genus Leptospira includes at least 69 Gram-negative, aerobic spirochetes, of which 25 are pathogenic and associated with a diverse range of mammals, including members of the order Chiroptera. On the American continent, there are six confirmed Leptospira species. Among these, the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), which ranges widely from northern Mexico to northern Argentina, has been reported to harbor four pathogenic taxa: Leptospira borgpetersenii, Leptospira interrogans, Leptospira weilii, and Leptospira cf. noguchii. All these species are frequently isolated from beef and dairy cattle, suggesting that contact with urine from infected cattle could serve as a potential source of infection for bats. However, previous studies have been limited by small sample sizes and low geographical representation among the countries where they were conducted. For this reason, the aim of this study was to identify the species of Leptospira associated with D. rotundus populations in five states within the Neotropical region of Mexico. Between 2015 and 2021, 54 bats were collected across five Mexican states. Our analysis identified the exclusive presence of L. interrogans in 13 specimens. The findings are discussed within the framework of a One Health perspective, emphasizing their relevance to understanding interspecies transmission dynamics.