Leptospira sanjuanensis sp. nov., a pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira isolated from soil in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Two spirochetes (designated strains LGVF01 and LGVF02 T ) were isolated from soil samples in San Juan, Puerto Rico in HAN media after selection using a combination of ELISA, agar plating, and colony screening by Fluorescent Antibody Testing (FAT) and PCR for lipL32 and secY . Isolates were helix-shaped, aerobic, fast-growing, and highly motile. Genome sequence analysis indicated that both strains should be classified as members of a novel species within the pathogenic (P1) clade of the genus Leptospira . The average nucleotide identity between the two strains was 99.2 %, but below 93.2 % when compared to any previously described leptospiral species. Serotyping of strain LGVF02 T indicates that it does not belong within any serogroup of Leptospira suggesting it also represents a new serovar. Collectively, strains LGVF01 and LGVF02 T represent a new species of pathogenic leptospires for which the name Leptospira sanjuanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LGVF02 T (=NVSL-LGVF02 T =KIT0302 T ).