title: Detection and differentiation between pathogenic and saprophytic Leptospira spp. by multiplex polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed for diagnosing leptospirosis and differentiating pathogenic and saprophytic leptospires. Specific primers were designed to amplify 23S rDNA from pathogenic Leptospira and saprophytic Leptospira spp. PCR products from 27 pathogenic and 5 (including 1 intermediate) saprophytic serovars were 615 and 316 base pairs (bp), respectively. After the restriction enzyme's digestion of PCR products, the fragments by SacI of pathogenic serovars and by PstI of saprophytic serovars were 339 and 276 bp and 202 and 114 bp, respectively. The PCR primers enabled amplification of DNA from L. meyeri serovar Ranarum as a pathogenic Leptospira spp. The PCR assay could detect 1 to 2 cells of leptospires and not amplify DNA from other 18 bacterial species. The sensitivity and specificity of this PCR in rat kidney, using isolation as gold standard, were 98.6% and 100%, respectively. The most appropriate sample preparation of blood for detecting DNA was buffy coat. Among the sample preparations from 7 laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis cases, leptospiral DNA was detected in all 7 buffy coat preparations, whereas leptospiral DNA was detected in only 3 plasma or serum samples. The PCR assay may be useful as a diagnostic tool for leptospirosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. gruks@mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: Uraiwan
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kositanont
authors.forename: Songsak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rugsasuk
authors.forename: Amornrut
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leelaporn
authors.forename: Duangporn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Phulsuksombati
authors.forename: Sompong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tantitanawat
authors.forename: Pimjai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Naigowit
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007919:Leptospira / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012703:Serotyping
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S