Detection of Leptospira interrogans in clinical specimens by in situ hybridization using biotin-labelled DNA probes.
In situ DNA hybridization using biotin-labelled leptospiral DNA was performed on clinical specimens to investigate its usefulness as a technique for the identification of Leptospira interrogans. The applicability of this test in blood, urine and liver smears was demonstrated. In situ DNA hybridization can be completed in only 4 h and it combines the advantage of visualization of the leptospiral morphology with the specificity of the hybridization reaction. No cross-hybridization was observed with other bacteria. This study shows that hybridization in situ can be simple to perform and may contribute to a rapid diagnosis.
Terpstra
W J
WJ
Royal Tropical Institute, Department of Tropical Hygiene, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Schoone
G J
GJ
Ligthart
G S
GS
ter Schegget
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D006224:Cricetinae; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D007921:Leptospira interrogans / Q000145:classification*; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012703:Serotyping
D004269:DNA, Bacterial