A Study on the Presence of Pathogenic Leptospira spp. in Environmental Water Samples Obtained from Selected Recreational Areas in Terengganu, Malaysia
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution. It is endemic in Malaysia and is caused by infection with pathogenic Leptospira species. Leptospires can survive in water for many months hence water is an important vehicle in their transmission. Recreational activities such as swimming, fish...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/5653/1/FH02-FP-15-03039.pdf http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/5653/2/FH02-FP-16-05367.jpg http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/5653/ |
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| Summary: | Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution. It is endemic in Malaysia and is caused by infection with
pathogenic Leptospira species. Leptospires can survive in water for many months hence water is an important vehicle
in their transmission. Recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, canoeing and rafting place a person at risk for
the infection. The objective of this study was to detect the presence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in environmental
water samples obtained from selected recreational areas in Terengganu. A total of 40 water samples (2000 ml) were
collected from two recreational areas in north Terengganu namely Lata Tembakah and Lata Belatan Waterfalls. The
samples were inoculated into modified semisolid Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson Harris (EMJH) media, incubated
at 30°C for one month and examined under the dark-field microscope. Positive growth for the pathogenic leptospires
was then confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay using G1/G2 primers. Pathogenic leptospires were
detected in both recreational areas, 5% (1 out of 20) samples and 10% (2 out of 20) samples from Lata Tembakah
Waterfall and Lata Belatan Waterfall respectively and were confirmed positive for the presence of pathogenic
leptospires. As a conclusion, pathogenic leptospires were detected at two recreational areas in Terengganu and this
would pose a risk of infection to human and lead to leptospirosis outbreak. Therefore, based on the result of this study,
precautionary steps should be taken by responsible authorities to prevent human infection or leptospirosis outbreak. |
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