Characterization of a virulent Leptospira interrogans strain isolated from an abandoned swimming pool
Braz. j. microbiol
; 44(1): 165-170, 2013. ilus
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-676904
Responsible library:
BR32.1
ABSTRACT
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.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Weil Disease
/
In Vitro Techniques
/
Base Sequence
/
Polymerase Chain Reaction
/
Genome, Bacterial
/
Urban Area
/
Leptospira interrogans serovar icterohaemorrhagiae
/
Intestinal Mucosa
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. microbiol
Journal subject:
Microbiology
Year:
2013
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade Federal de Pelotas/BR