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Genetic structure of the genus Leptospira by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis

M. Letocart¹, P. Boerlin^2,, F. Boerlin-Petzold^2,, J. Goudet³, G. Baranton⁴ and P. Perolat¹

¹Leptospira Laboratory, Institute Pasteur, BP 61 98846 Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia
²Microbiology Institute of the University of Lausanne, 44 Bugnon St, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
³Institute of Animal Zoology and Ecology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
⁴WHO Collaborating Centre for Leptospirosis, Medical and Molecular Bacteriology Unit, Institute Pasteur, Paris, France

Author for correspondence: P. Perolat. Tel: +687 27 02 80. Fax: +687 27 33 90. e-mail: perolat.pasteur{at}canl.nc

ABSTRACT

Thirty strains from the 11 species of the genus Leptospira were studied by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis at 12 enzyme loci, all of which were polymorphic. The mean number of alleles per locus was 6.5. Twenty-five electrophoretic types were distinguished. Grouping of the strains by cluster analysis was in general agreement with species delineation as determined by DNA-DNA hybridization, except for the strains of Leptospira meyeri and Leptospira inadai, which were scattered throughout the genus, reflecting previously recognized taxonomic uncertainties. Analysis of the clonality within Leptospira interrogans sensu stricto indicated that this population was relatively heterogeneous and a lack of gene linkage disequilibrium could not be excluded. There was a genetic discrimination between the pathogenic species and the saprophytic ones. The phenotypically intermediate species (L. inadai and Leptospira fainei) were also genetically separated and were probably closer to the saprophytes than to the pathogens.

Key Words: Leptospira • multilocus enzyme electrophoresis • genetics • phylogeny • taxonomy

Present address: Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

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