Identification of Leptospira spp. from environmental sources in areas with high human leptospirosis incidence in the Philippines.

ABSTRACT: Leptospira is the causative agent of leptospirosis, which is considered an emerging major threat to public health due to its increasing frequency reported worldwide. In the Philippines, the prevalence of the disease continuously rises, particularly in urban areas. Because leptospirosis is commonly transmitted through contact with contaminated environment, water and soil samples were collected in regions in the Philippines where high incidence of human leptospirosis cases was reported recently. Of the 54 samples screened for the presence of Leptospira, 35% were found positive through 23S rRNA gene PCR-based detection. None were found positive when primers targeting lipL32, lipL41, and ompL1 genes were used. Most of these isolates were collected from rural areas.

SUBMITTER: Mendoza MV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6586096 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature