Awang @ Ismail, Nabilah
(2017)
Health and safety: genetic relatedness of
environmental exposure of lestospiral pre- and
post flood: towards strategic prevention of
leptospirosis.
Health and safety: genetic relatedness of environmental exposure of lestospiral pre- and post flood: towards strategic prevention of leptospirosis.
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an important worldwide zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira spp. The presence of
pathogenic Leptospira in the environment poses threats to human health. The aim of this study was to isolate
and identify Leptospira spp. irom selected environment in flood affected areas.
Method: Soil and water samples were collected about four to five months post massive flood in 2014 from
selected sites in Kelantan. All samples were filtered and cultured according to previously described protocols.
Molecular identification of the isolates was performed by partial sequences of 16S rRNA.
Findings: A total of 90 samples comprised of 45 soil and 45 water samples were collected. Based on dark
field microscopic observations, 42.2% (38/90) cultures were positive for leptospires with characteristic
morphology and motility. The most predominant isolates were pathogenic Leptospira including Leptospira
kmetyi, Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira kirschneri which were detected in 26.3% (I 0/38), 5.3% (2/38)
and 2.6% (1/38) of the isolates respectively. Leptospira species were not able to be genetically differentiated
between pre- and post-flood because single locus I 6S rRNA gene sequences has not allowed for intra species
differentiation.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the predominance of clinically significant pathogenic Leptospira in the
environments which could pose health risks to the community.
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