Evaluation of the Presence of Gene Encoding Loa۲۲ in Pathogenic Leptospira Serovars

Background and Aim: Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide, occurring mostly in tropical, subtropical, temperate, and humid regions with heavy rainfall. It is important to diagnose this condition correctly and promptly. Loa۲۲ is an outer membrane protein exposed to the surface in some Leptospira serovars. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of the gene encoding Loa۲۲ protein in Leptospira interrogans serovars. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on ۲۳ pathogenic leptospira serovars and two non-pathogenic leptospira serovars. These serovars were prepared from the Reference Laboratory for Leptospira, Department of Microbiology, Razi Vaccine, and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. After genomic DNA extraction using the standard phenol-chloroform method, loa۲۲ gene was amplified by specific primers. Results: PCR was performed on the loa۲۲ gene by producing a ۶۷۱-bp fragment. The results showed that the loa۲۲ gene was present in all ۲۳ pathogenic leptospira serovars but not in the non-pathogenic L. biflexa. The specificity of tested primers was confirmed as well. Conclusion: The loa۲۲ gene is a specific gene for pathogenic leptospira serovars that is not found in saprophytic serovars, so it is suggested that this gene be used to detect leptospira pathogenic serovars.

Keywords:

Leptospirosis , loa۲۲ gene , PCR , Serovar , لپتوسپیروزیس , سرووار , ژن loa۲۲ , PCR