title: Molecular epidemiology of leptospirosis in northern Iran by nested polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing methods.
abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Leptospira species in Mazandaran Province of Iran by using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods and sequencing analysis. Blood samples (n = 119) were collected from humans suspected of having leptospirosis from different parts of the province in 2007. By using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), we determined that 35 (29.4%) of 119 suspected cases had leptospiral antibody titers >/= 1:80, which confirmed the diagnosis of leptospirosis. Nested PCR assay also determined that 60 (50.4%) of 119 samples showed Leptospira infection. Furthermore, 44 (73.3%) of 60 confirmed leptospirosis amplified products were subjected to sequencing analysis. Sequence alignment identified L. interrogans, L. kirschneri, and L. wolffii species. All positive cases diagnosed by IFAT or PCR were in patients who reported contact with animals, high-risk occupational activities, and exposure to contaminated water. Therefore, it is important to increase attention about this disease among physicians and to strengthen laboratory capacity for its diagnosis in infected patients in Iran.
authors.affiliation: Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center, Institute Pasteur of Iran, Tehran, Iran. zakeris@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Sedigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zakeri
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sepahian
authors.forename: Mandana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Afsharpad
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Esfandiari
authors.forename: Peyman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ziapour
authors.forename: Navid D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Djadid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D007919:Leptospira / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012307:Risk Factors; D014871:Water Microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial