Optimization of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Method for the Identification of Genetic Relatedness among Intermediate and Saprophytic Leptospira Species

• Main Author: Lai, Siaw Ling
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English; English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, (UNIMAS) 2018
• Subjects: QL Zoology
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/36271/1/LAI%20SIAW%20LING%20%2824%20pgs%29.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/36271/4/Lai%20Siaw%20Ling%20ft.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/36271/
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Leptospira species is the main causative agent of leptospirosis, one of the most widely spread zoonotic disease that can lead to mortality in both infected human and animals. Unfortunately, information about the epidemiology of this disease is still very inadequate. Molecular characterization of Leptospira species is vital for better understanding of leptospirosis epidemiology as well as for the diagnosis of Leptospira strains in infected patient for early treatment of leptospirosis. The main aim of this study was to determine the genetic relatedness among intermediate and saprophytic Leptospira species respectively. A total of 10 intermediate and 10 saprophytic Leptospira strains isolated from soil, water and rat in selected places of Sarawak, Malaysia were analysed molecularly through pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) method. DNA fragments digestion during electrophoresis was done using Notl restriction enzyme. This study suggested some modifications that can be done to current PFGE protocol in order to obtain a typeable DNA profile for Leptospira species isolated from Sarawak. The result of the study indicated the effectiveness of PFGE method in molecular typing of Leptospira strains isolated from different sources ir. Sarawak.