Assessment of Distribution Leptospira Spp. In Surface Waters of Guilan Province

Leptospirosis is an ubiquitous zoonotic infection.It is spread worldwide. Currently the genus Leptospira is classified in 13 genomic species and 4 genomospecies based upon phylogenetic and phenotypic relatedness.The goal of this study was to determine the distribution of aerobic spirochetes Leptospira in surface waters and soils in Guilan province of Iran. A total of 222 fresh water samples were collected in the summer of 2006 for isolation of Leptospira spp. After filtration, the samples were inoculated into the EMJH medium.Isolated Leptospiras were identified by MAT technique.Out of 222 samples collected for isolation of Leptospiras, the 40 strains isolated from soils and waters in Guilan province could be divided into 4 speices and 6 serogroups.Taken together, Leptospira isolates indicated by seropositivity in local areas were 35% (ricefields), 35% (water channels) and 30% (rivers). It was also found that the seroprevalence for Pomona was higher on large-scale ricefields, but serogruop Sarmin was higher on large-scale rivers.With respect to chi – square analysis for evaluation relationship between studied sources and presence of Leptospira different areas of Guilan province with coefficient of confidence 95% were concluded that there is a significant correlation between them (p<0.05% ).