Characterization of Leptospira species isolated from soil collected in Japan |
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| Authors: | Toshiyuki Masuzawa Keiko Sakakibara Mitsumasa Saito Yusuke Hidaka Sharon Y. A. M. Villanueva Yasutake Yanagihara Shin‐ichi Yoshida |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba Institute of Science, Choshi, Chiba 288‐0025, Japan;2. Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kita‐Kyushu 807‐8555, Japan;3. Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi‐ku, Fukuoka 819‐0395, Japan;4. Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines‐Manila, Manila, Philippines;5. University of Shizuoka, Surugaku‐ku, Shizuoka 422‐8525, Japan |
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| Abstract: | Leptospira were isolated from soil obtained from Hokkaido, the northernmost island, to Okinawa, the southernmost island, of Japan using sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, amphotericin B, fosfomycin, and 5‐ fluorouracil. Fifty of 132 soil samples (37.9%) were culture‐positive. On the basis of 16S‐rDNA sequences, 12 of the isolated Leptospira were classified into a pathogenic species clade that is closely associated with L. alstonii and L. kmetyi. Nine isolates were classified as intermediate species and were found to be similar to L. licerasiae. Twenty‐seven isolates were classified as non‐pathogenic species, of which 23 were found to be related to L. wolbachii. Non‐pathogenic Leptospira are commonly distributed in environmental soil. |
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| Keywords: | Japan Leptospira soil |
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