Isolation Studies of Leptospira in Andhra Pradesh

Isolation attempts were carried out between November 2006 and May 2010. Samples collected from clinically suspected cases of cattle (26), sheep (42), dogs (13), pigs (15), humans (53), stagnated water (10) in Rice fields and from rats (299) were inoculated in to EMJH liquid medium with tween- 80, antibiotics and 5- fluorouracil. A total of 17 isolates were recovered, from sheep (5), pigs (4), humans (2), rice field water (1) and from rats (5). The isolates were purified and maintained in EMJH liquid medium and as well as semi solid medium. The Physio-chemical characterization of isolates at 13oC, growth in the presence of 8 - Azaguanine, Lipase activity and animal inoculation studies revealed the pathogenicity of the isolates. The isolates were identified using Dark field microscopy, Fontanas staining, characteristic Dingers phenomenon and by histopathological studies.