Repetitive sequence element cloned from Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo type hardjo-bovis provides a sensitive diagnostic probe for bovine leptospirosis.
A repetitive sequence element was cloned from the primary etiological agent causing bovine leptospirosis in North America, Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo type hardjo-bovis. This element was used to design a sensitive diagnostic probe which distinguishes hardjo-bovis from other pathogenic leptospires which commonly infect domestic animals in North America and discriminates between hardjo-bovis and the reference strain for serovar hardjo, hardjoprajitno. By using this probe, it was possible to identify infected cattle shedding hardjo-bovis in their urine. This is the first practical demonstration of a cloned DNA probe for leptospirosis, and it provides a sensitive method for studying the transmission and pathogenesis of L. interrogans infections. Control measures for L. interrogans infections may now be improved by rapidly and efficiently identifying infected animals.
Zuerner
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RL
National Animal Disease Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa 50010.
Bolin
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CA
D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D007921:Leptospira interrogans / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012703:Serotyping; D014895:Weil Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000652:urine / Q000662:veterinary*
D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial