Isolation, Molecular Detection, and Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) of <i>Leptospira interrogans</i> in Rodents, Cattle and Sheep Samples in Amol, Iran
| Author | Fereydoun Imani | en |
| Author | Rahem Khoshbakht | en |
| Author | Esmail Fattahi | en |
| Author | Sadegh Fattahi | en |
| Author | Mohsen Asouri | en |
| Orcid | Rahem Khoshbakht [0000-0002-9812-7696] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-01-31 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, common in tropical and subtropical regions, caused by pathogenic species of Leptospira. Objectives: This study aimed to isolate and detect Leptospira in animal samples in Amol, northern Iran. Methods: A total of 118 samples were collected from rodent bladder urine and livestock midstream urine during 2023. Culture, microscopy, and molecular analyses were conducted to identify Leptospira interrogans. Cultures were incubated in Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson and Harris (EMJH) media and monitored weekly via dark field microscopy. DNA extraction was followed by conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the lipL32 gene. Multi locus sequence typing (MLST) was also performed on selected isolates. Results: Results showed that seven (5.93%) samples (including six rodent and one sheep samples) were culture-positive, all confirmed by real-time and traditional PCR. Real-time PCR identified 14 (11.86%) samples as positive for L. interrogans including 9/32 (28.1%), 3/44 (6.81%), and 2/42 (4.76%) rodent, sheep, and cattle samples, respectively. The results of the MLST sequence analysis of four culture-positive specimens were attributable to sequence type (ST) 330 (one sheep specimen) and ST 252 (three rodent specimens), both of which correspond to L. interrogans. Quantitative statistical analyses revealed noteworthy correlations between the types of samples and the presence of Leptospira (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This investigation underscores the effectiveness of integrating molecular methodologies with conventional culture techniques for the surveillance of Leptospira in regions characterized by a heightened risk. The current study reports the isolation and characterization of Leptospira from animal urine samples, providing new insights into the presence of these bacteria in the study area. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-167130 | en |
| Keyword | <i>Leptospira interrogans</i> | en |
| Keyword | Real-time PCR | en |
| Keyword | MLST | en |
| Keyword | Animals | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Isolation, Molecular Detection, and Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) of <i>Leptospira interrogans</i> in Rodents, Cattle and Sheep Samples in Amol, Iran | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |