Molecular diagnosis of Leptospira spp. in culled sows

Authors

  • Sérgio José de Oliveira Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Hospital Veterinário, Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micrologia, Canoas, RS
  • Fabrício Bortolanza Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Hospital Veterinário, Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Canoas, RS
  • Daniel Thompsen Passos Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Hospital Veterinário, Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Canoas, RS
  • José Antonio Simões Pires-Neto Centro de Pesquisa Veterinária Desiderio Finamor, Laboratório de Leptospirose, Eldorado do Sul, RS
  • Luiz Cesar Bello Fallavena Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Hospital Veterinário, Laboratório de Histopatologia, Canoas, RS
  • Tania de Azevedo Weimer Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética, Porto Alegre, RS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2007.26655

Keywords:

Molecular diagnosis, Leptospira spp, Culled sows

Abstract

Leptospirosis diagnosis was performed through molecular, histopathological and serological tests in 30 culled sows in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The objectives were to compare the efficiency of the three methods, to verify the sensitivity of a PCR methodology using a single primer based on the sequence of a repetitive element of Leptospira interrogans genome, as well as to verify the possible detection of Leptospira in several tissue including the genital tract of sows. The animals were selected based on the microscopic agglutination test in order to have sows with negative and positive results, presenting low and higher serologic titers. The higher frequency (90 % of the positive sows) and titers (100 to 800) was observed for L. interrogans serovar bratislava. Leptospira was detected by histopathology in nine sows only, all presenting higher serologic titers (at least 100). A PCR product of 438 bp was observed in all animals (25 kidneys, 24 uterus and 9 oviduct) fragments. Similar PCR product was obtained for DNA from cultures of other pathogenic leptospires, while the pattern observed for the non-pathogenic L. patoc was distinct. No Leptospira spp DNA amplification product was detected in Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella sp, Streptococcus sp and Staphylococcus aureus DNAs obtained from cultures, or in blood DNA samples of two piglets. The molecular system was therefore specific and the most effective to detect low pathogen levels, being able to differentiate pathogenic from non-pathogenic leptospires.

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Published

2007-02-01

Issue

Section

UNDEFINIED

How to Cite

Molecular diagnosis of Leptospira spp. in culled sows. (2007). Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, 44(1), 18-23. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2007.26655