Study on the Virulence Associated Genes of Leptospires in Sichuan Province

Objective To study the factors related to the virulence associated genes of Leptospira in Sichuan province,provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of Leptospirosis.Methods Seven putative virulence associated genes and group specific gene G1,G2 were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) in the 90 field strains of Leptospira interrogans isolated in Sichuan province and from patients or animals between 1970-2010,and 4 strains of Leptospira biflexas.Results In the 90 field strains,among 7 putative virulent genes,sphA detected rate was 6.67%,and the other 6 virulence associated genes detected rates were between 81.1% to 98.9%.G1 and G2 detected rate was 100%.Detection rates of those 8 genes were 0 in 4 strains of Leptospira biflexa.Conclusion The virulence associated genes of Leprosies interrogans isolated from Sichuan province were widely distributed,and the detection rates were high.The virulence associated genes distributed in the strains isolated from Leptospira interrogans and from the patients or animals were quite identically.