Leptospira spp. are waterborne zoonotic bacteria that infect wildlife, companion animals, and humans via infected urine, contaminated soil and water. This project seeks to characterize the presence of Leptospira spp., in urban surface water in Ontario and to examine associations with meteorological factors. Water samples from urban sites will be collected and water quality data (pH, temperature, conductivity, total coliforms, dissolved oxygen) recorded for each sample. Climate data (temperature, precipitation) will be collected from local weather stations and linked with the water samples for modelling associations with the presence of Leptospira spp. The results from this project can be used to characterize the presence of Leptospira spp in surface and predict the risk from pathogenic Leptospirosis spp for animals and humans. This specific project will contribute to the exploration of associations between climate and the geographic distribution of Leptospirosis in companion dogs across Ontario. Since Leptospira spp. can infect humans the implications of the results are applicable human health risk in recreational waters and reducing burden of disease in humans from water sources. A One Health approach with interdisciplinary collaboration is necessary to understand the relationships between water quality, climate and disease risk to animals and humans.
This project contributes to a larger grant funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada which aims to understand how climate is associated with zoonotic disease risk for companion animals and humans in Ontario. This work is in collaboration with early career researcher Dr. Lauren Grant in the department of Population Medicine.
About the Faculty: Dr. Heather Murphy
Heather Murphy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College. Dr. Murphy’s research interests involve understanding and addressing water and health challenges in both developed and developing countries. Dr. Murphy leads the Water, Health and Applied Microbiology (WHAM) Lab. Her research focuses on four key areas related to microbial quality of water and public health: 1. Surface water quality and recreation, 2. The impact of septic systems and agricultural activity on private wells, 3. Microbial Ecology of drinking water distribution systems, and 4. Water and Sanitation challenges in resource-limited settings.
About the Student: Garrett Terpstra
My name is Garrett Terpstra, and I am an Honours Microbiology student at the University of Guelph. I have a passion for the topics of infectious diseases, microbial ecology, and the gut microbiome and how they impact the health of both humans, animals and the environment.
This summer (2025) I will be assisting Dr. Murphy and her team with characterizing the presence of Leptospira spp. in surface water across different sites in Ontario and relating the results to meteorological factors. I am excited to have the opportunity to conduct field work in the form of sample collection from the different sites, as well as expand my skillset in the lab through their analysis. I am looking forward to being able to use a One Health approach to research and I hope to use this experience to make an impact in the healthcare field in the future.
