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Detection of Virulence Factors and Molecular Typing of Pathogenic Leptospira from Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris)

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Abstract

Leptospirosis is a globally prevalent zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp.; several serologic variants have reservoirs in synanthropic rodents. The capybara is the largest living rodent in the world, and it has a wide geographical distribution in Central and South America. This rodent is a significant source of Leptospira since the agent is shed via urine into the environment and is a potential public health threat. In this study, we isolated and identified by molecular techniques a pathogenic Leptospira from capybara in southern Brazil. The isolated strain was characterized by partial rpoB gene sequencing and variable-number tandem-repeats analysis as L. interrogans, serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae. In addition, to confirm the expression of virulence factors, the bacterial immunoglobulin-like proteins A and B expression was detected by indirect immunofluorescence using leptospiral specific monoclonal antibodies. This report identifies capybaras as an important source of infection and provides insight into the epidemiology of leptospirosis.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Ministry of Science and Technology, Brazil, for SJ and LGM scholarships, and Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA) for authorization for sample collection.

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No competing financial interests exist.

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Correspondence to Cláudia P. Hartleben.

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Jorge, S., Monte, L.G., Coimbra, M.A. et al. Detection of Virulence Factors and Molecular Typing of Pathogenic Leptospira from Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris). Curr Microbiol 65, 461–464 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-012-0169-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-012-0169-5

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