Abstract:
Two identical leptospiral isolates coded Sh9 and Sh25 obtained from the urine of captive African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys
gambianus), destined for use as biodetector of antipersonnel landmines were typed as serovar Kenya using cross-agglutination
absorption test and DNA fingerprinting with the insertion element sequences IS1533 and IS1500 derived primers. The two isolates
were previously characterized using cultural and serological – microagglutination test as pathogenic leptospires of the serogroup
Ballum, closely related to serovars Kenya and Peru. To our knowledge, this is the first reported in-depth characterization of leptospira
isolates from Tanzania.
