Leptospira sanjuanensis sp. nov., a pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira isolated from soil in Puerto Rico

Author(s)

Fernandes, Luis G., V ; Stone, Nathan E. ; Roe, Chandler C. ; Goris, Marga G. A. ; van der Linden, Hans ; Sahl, Jason W. ; Wagner, David M. ; Nally, Jarlath E.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY; v. 72, n. 10, p. 9-pg., 2022-01-01.

Abstract

Two spirochetes (designated strains LGVF01 and LGVF02T) were isolated from soil samples in San Juan, Puerto Rico in HANmedia after selection using a combination of ELISA, agar plating, and colony screening by Fluorescent Antibody Testing (FAT) and PCR for lipL32 and secY. Isolates were helix--shaped, aerobic, fast-growing, and highly motile. Genome sequence analysis indicated that both strains should be classified as members of a novel species within the pathogenic (P1) clade of the genus Leptospira. The average nucleotide identity between the two strains was 99.2%, but below 93.2 % when compared to any previously described leptospiral species. Serotyping of strain LGVF02T indicates that it does not belong within any serogroup of Leptospira suggesting it also represents a new serovar. Collectively, strains LGVF01 and LGVF02T represent a new species of pathogenic leptospires for which the name Leptospira sanjuanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LGVF02T (=NVSL-LGVF02(T)=KIT0302T). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/20302-8 - CRISPR interference (CRISPRi)-mediated silencing of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) in saprophyte and pathogenic strains of Leptospira
• Grantee: Luis Guilherme Virgílio Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 17/06731-8 - Application of CRISPR-interference for elucidating leptospirosis pathogenesis and development of novel strategies for knockout mutant's obtainment
• Grantee: Luis Guilherme Virgílio Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral