The coypu as a rodent reservoir of leptospira infection in Great Britain

Abstract

SUMMARYThe coypu (Myocastor coypusMolina) is an aquatic rodent that has become a widespread pest in the south-east of England. Since the natural habitat of this animal is aquatic, the possibility of infection with leptospires was investigated. Twenty-nine coypu were trapped and examined by serological, histological and cultural methods. Of these, there was serological evidence of infection in seven coypus andLeptospira interrogansvar.Wolffiiwas isolated from a further animal. This appears to be the first report of the isolation of leptospira from a coypu in Great Britain.