Characterization of a virulent Leptospira interrogans strain isolated from an abandoned swimming pool

Brazilian Journal of Microbiology

Karine M. Forster²  Daiane D. Hartwig²  Fabiana K. Seixas²  Alan J.a. Mcbride²  Leonardo G. Monte²  Ana Lúcia C. Recuero¹  Claudiomar S. Brod¹  Cláudia P. Hartleben²  Marta Amaral²  Odir A. Dellagostin² 

[1] ,Universidade Federal de Pelotas Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico Núcleo de BiotecnologiaPelotas RS ,Brazil

关键词: Leptospira;    Leptospirosis;    Virulent;    VNTR;    rpoB;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1517-83822013005000029

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Pathogenic Leptospira spp. are the etiological agents of leptospirosis, an important disease of both humans and animals. In urban settings, L. interrogans serovars are the predominant cause of disease in humans. The purpose of this study was to characterize a novel Leptospira isolate recovered from an abandoned swimming pool. Molecular characterization through sequencing of the rpoB gene revealed 100% identity with L. interrogans and variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis resulted in a banding pattern identical to L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae, serovar Copenhageni or Icterohaemorrhagiae. The virulence of the strain was determined in a hamster model of lethal leptospirosis. The lethal dose 50% (LD50) was calculated to be two leptospires in female hamsters and a histopathological examination of infected animals found typical lesions associated with severe leptospirosis, including renal epithelium degeneration, hepatic karyomegaly, liver-plate disarray and lymphocyte infiltration. This highly virulent strain is now available for use in further studies, especially evaluation of vaccine candidates.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC   
 All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License