Analysis of human clinical and environmental Leptospira to elucidate the eco-epidemiology of leptospirosis in Yaeyama, subtropical Japan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leptospirosis, a zoonosis caused by species in the spirochete genus Leptospira, is endemic to the Yaeyama region in Okinawa, subtropical Japan. Species of the P1 subclade "virulent" group, within the genus Leptospira, are the main etiological agents of leptospirosis in Okinawa. However, their environmental persistence is poorly understood. This study used a combination of bacterial isolation and environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding methods to understand the eco-epidemiology of leptospirosis in this endemic region.

Findings

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) characterized twelve human clinical L. interrogans isolates belonging to the P1 subclade "virulent" subgroup and 11 environmental soil isolates of the P1subclade "low virulent" subgroup (genetically related to L

SUBMITTER: Sato Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8970387 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature