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Isolation of Leptospira kmetyi from residential areas of patients with leptospirosis in Kelantan, Malaysia

Mohd Ali MR 1 , Mohamad Safiee AW 2 , Yusof NY 3 , Fauzi MH 4 , Yean Yean C 5 , Ismail N 6

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia; Secretariat National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health Malaysia, c/o Institut Pengurusan Kesihatan, Jalan Rumah Sakit Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: ridhuanali@moh.gov.my
  • 2 Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: amirawahida1712@gmail.com
  • 3 Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: nikyuszrin@gmail.com
  • 4 Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: hashairi@usm.my
  • 5 Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia; Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: yeancyn@yahoo.com
  • 6 Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: drnabilah@usm.my
J Infect Public Health, 2017 12 23;11(4):578-580.
PMID: 29277333 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2017.12.008

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Environmental sampling provides important information that enhances the understanding of the leptospiral human-environment-animal relationship. Several studies have described the distribution of Leptospira in the environment. However, more targeted sites, that is, areas surrounding leptospirosis patients' houses, remain under-explored. Therefore, this study aims to detect the presence of Leptospira spp. in the residential areas of patients with leptospirosis.

METHODS: Soil and water samples near leptospirosis patients' residences were collected, processed and cultured into EMJH media. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to confirm the identity of Leptospira.

RESULTS: EMJH culture and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed predominant growth of pathogenic Leptospira kmetyi (17%, n=7/42). All tested locations had at least one Leptospira sp., mostly from the soil samples.

CONCLUSION: More than one species of Leptospira may be present in a sampling area. The most common environmental isolates were pathogenic L. kmetyi.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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