Description:
The prevalence of leptospirosis is generally high in domestic animals and rodents in Tanzania.
Identification of Leptospira isolates from cattle was carried out to establish prevalent Leptospira
serovars. Serological typing was done based on monoclonal antibodies and the standard
cross-agglutination absorption test. Molecular typing involved pathogenic- and saprophytic-specific
PCRs and a PCR specifically amplifying DNA from the species Leptospira kirschneri. DNA
fingerprinting with primers derived from sequences of insertion elements IS1500 and IS1533 was
carried out. Both serological and molecular characterization indicated that one of the Leptospira
isolates, coded RM1, represents a new serovar of the species L. kirschneri of serogroup
Icterohaemorrhagiae. The serovar name Sokoine is proposed for this new Leptospira isolate.