Identification of Pathogenic Leptospiral Serovars by Detection of the ompl37 Gene Using PCR

Background and Objectives: Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonotic disease that is transmitted directly or indirectly from animals to humans. Humans mainly acquire pathogenic leptospires through mucosal or percutaneous exposure to environment contaminated with urine from an infected animal. We aimed to identify pathogenic leptospiral serovars by detection of the ompL37 gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: Sixteen pathogenic leptospiral serovars and a saprophytic serovar, L. biflexa were cultured in modified semisolid Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris medium containing 5% rabbit serum. Genomic DNA extraction was done using the phenolchlorophorm method. The ompL37 gene was amplified using specific primers. PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The ompL37 gene was amplified only in the pathogenic leptospiral serovars. We detected no amplified fragment for the saprophytic serovar. Conclusion: Leptospirosis may be confused with other infectious diseases, and therefore, its early and accurate diagnosis is crucial. We showed that molecular detection of pathogenic leptospires based on the ompL37 gene could be used for laboratory diagnosis of leptospirosis.