Characterization of Leptospira species isolated from soil collected in Japan

ABSTRACT Leptospira was isolated from soil obtained from Hokkaido, the northernmost island, to Okinawa, the southernmost island, in Japan using sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, amphotericin B, fosfomycin, and 5‐ fluorouracil (STAFF). Fifty out of 132 soil samples (37.9%) were culture‐positive. Based on 16S‐rDNA sequences, 12 were classified into a pathogenic species clade and were closely associated with L. alstonii and L. kmetyi. Nine isolates were classified into intermediate species, which were similar to L. licerasiae. Twenty‐seven isolates were classified as non‐pathogenic species. Among them, 23 isolates were related to L. wolbachii. Non‐pathogenic Leptospira are commonly distributed in environmental soil.
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Note Source Type: research