Molecular analysis of leptospires from serogroup Sejroe obtained from asymptomatic cattle in Rio de Janeiro — Brazil reveals genetic proximity to serovar Guaricura

A.P. Loureiro (1) , C. Hamond (1) , P. Pinto (1) , S. Bremont (2) , Pascale Bourhy (2) , W. Lilenbaum (1)

1 UFF - Universidade Federal Fluminense [Rio de Janeiro]
2 Centre Collaborateur FAO/OMS pour l'épidémiologie de la leptospirose

Bovine leptospirosis causes substantial reproductive failure in cattle, mainly due to infections with serovar (sv) Hardjo infection. Notwithstanding, other serovars from the serogroup (sg) Sejroe could also have important roles in bovine leptospirosis. The objective was to investigate genetic diversity of serogroup Sejroe isolates obtained from asymptomatic cattle in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Urine and vaginal fluid (VF) were collected from clinically healthy cattle immediately after slaughter. Five isolates were recovered and characterized (serogrouping) as belonging to sg Sejroe. Sequencing of rrs and secY genes further identified them as Leptospira santarosai. Analysis of secY sequences indicated a high level of sequence homology to sv Guaricura strains. Based on culture and sequence data, we inferred that other members of sg Sejroe may be important in bovine leptospiral infection, particularly genotypes of L. santarosai serovar Guaricura.

Keywords: Cattle; Guaricura; rrs; secY; Serogrouping; Sejroe

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Microbiology and Parasitology

A.P. Loureiro, C. Hamond, P. Pinto, S. Bremont, Pascale Bourhy, et al.. Molecular analysis of leptospires from serogroup Sejroe obtained from asymptomatic cattle in Rio de Janeiro — Brazil reveals genetic proximity to serovar Guaricura. Research in Veterinary Science, 2016, 105, pp.249-253. ⟨10.1016/j.rvsc.2016.02.012⟩. ⟨pasteur-02945321⟩