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The culturing of Leptospira strains from bovine clinical samples is challenging and has resulted in some gaps in securing an epidemiological understanding. Strains related to chronic reproductive leptospirosis in cattle belong to the Sejroe serogroup - not only Hardjoprajitno and Hardjobovis but also Guaricura genotypes. This study analyses the growth of Leptospira strains from serogroup Sejroe in different culture media, with the aim of suggesting better culturing approaches. To meet this objective, two culture media were applied: EMJH and T80/40/LH. In addition, three different cocktails of selective agents were chosen. The combinations of medium and selective additives resulted in 10 different tested formulae. The poor performance of Hardjobovis in EMJH indicated that its growth may represent a possible bias when culturing these strains from bovine samples. The most efficient medium for culturing Hardjobovis was T80/40/LH, while T80/40/LH medium + STAFF combination proved to be the best choice for growth, being recommended for obtaining a higher number of these strains from bovines., (© 2021 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis with a broad host range, including humans and domestic and wild animals. The taxonomic classification of Leptospira species is complex. More recently, several molecular tools have been employed in the attempt to group the different strains of leptospires. The objective of this study was the genetic characterization of Brazilian Leptospira sp. isolates obtained from wild and domestic animals. The genotyping of the strains was performed by the variable-number tandem repeats (VNTR) technique, using the Leptospira interrogans/Leptospira kirschneri and Leptospira santarosai protocols. A total of 27 novel strains were characterized and 22 novel VNTR patterns were described. This study suggests a high genetic diversity among the strains obtained from different wild and domestic animals, and reinforces the need for a broad approach aligned to the One Health concept for leptospirosis., Significance and Impact of the Study: Animal leptospirosis is an important cause of reproductive failure in livestock and economic losses to producing countries. This study describes several novel variable-number tandem repeats patterns and points out the high genetic diversity of Brazilian strains. Understanding the circulation of strains between animals is essential for the control of leptospirosis in livestock., (© 2018 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

The Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis is traditionally described as pathogenic for swine although animals usually present low serologic response and mild clinical signs. The first isolation of a Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis strain from swine, in Brazil, was recently described. Herein we present the genomic characterization of this strain (SU5) and further comparison with the Leptospira serovars reference genomes available in the GenBank database. The SU5 strain was characterized with sequence types previously described in a serogroup Australis isolated from human and presented a new ST98 that is thus far exclusively of the Brazilian porcine L. interrogans serogroup Australis. Even though the SU5 strain presented higher similarity with the American porcine serogroup Australis strain PigK151, as expected, it also presented sequences blocks in both chromosomes which are absent in the genomes of the studied Leptospira serovars. These regions are flanked by insertion sequences and transposases genes, suggesting the existence of inter- and intra-serogroup genomic variability due to mobile elements transferring. This genomic plasticity has already been demonstrated for pathogenic Leptospira species; nevertheless, there is still a limited understanding of the relationship between genome organization and content and the divergence of Leptospira serogroups and serovars that needs to be further elucidated., (© FEMS 2017. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Unlabelled: Isolation of local strains is mandatory for the success of control programs. However, clinical samples are typically contaminated by other bacteria, which impair leptospires growth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a previously reported EMJH-STAFF media in the recovery of pathogenic leptospires from bovine clinical samples, namely urine (n = 123) and vaginal fluid-VF (n = 102). EMJH-STAFF presented less contamination than EMJH (<0·005), which was more evident in VF culture tubes. Nine pure leptospires cultures were obtained, six from urine (4·9%) and three from VF (2·9%). From those, seven grew on EMJH-STAFF, one on EMJH and one in both media. All the isolates were confirmed as pathogenic leptospires by lipL32-PCR, and sequencing of partial rrs showed them to belong to Leptospira noguchii, Leptospira santarosai and Leptospira interrogans species. EMJH-STAFF media was an important tool in the recovery of leptospires from bovine clinical samples., Significance and Impact of the Study: The slow growth of leptospires and overgrowth of co-existing micro-organisms from environmental and microbiota are the major difficult to recovery Leptospira from animal clinical samples. Implementing an efficient control programme is essential to determine circulating leptospires in the region and their reservoirs. This study evaluated the relationship of a selective media (EMJH-STAFF) on the recovery of pathogenic leptospires (Leptospira noguchii, Leptospira santarosai and Leptospira interrogans), from bovine clinical samples (urine and vaginal fluid). EMJH-STAFF seems to be an important tool in obtaining local strains for epidemiological and control purposes., (© 2015 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Context: Periodontitis is the most common lytic disease of bone and is recognized as a common complication of diabetes. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) is increased in diabetes and may be related to modulation of the inflammatory response. LPO levels in patients with diabetes and periodontal disease have not been evaluated., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of LPO and its correlation with periodontal status and inflammatory cytokines in type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic patients., Design and Setting: This is a cross-sectional study involving Brazilian patients recruited at the State University of São Paulo., Patients: The sample comprised 120 patients divided into four groups based upon diabetic and dyslipidemic status: poorly controlled diabetics with dyslipidemia, well-controlled diabetics with dyslipidemia, normoglycemic individuals with dyslipidemia, and healthy individuals., Main Outcome Measures: Blood analyses were carried out for fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and lipid profile. Periodontal examinations were performed, and gingival crevicular fluid was collected. LPO levels were evaluated by measuring oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ELISA) and malondialdehyde (HPLC). Cytokines were evaluated by the multiplex bead technique., Results: LPO evaluated by malondialdehyde in plasma and gingival crevicular fluid was significantly increased in diabetes groups. Significant correlations between LPO markers and periodontal parameters indicate a direct relationship between these levels and the severity of inflammation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, particularly in diabetic patients., Conclusion: These findings suggest an important association for LPO with the severity of the local inflammatory response to bacteria and the susceptibility to periodontal disease in diabetic patients.