Identification of Leptospira in Patients With Renal Failure Using Serological, Molecular and Pathological Based Techniques, in Shiraz, Iran

Leptospirosis is a relatively rare bacterial infection that affects people and animals caused by pathogenic species of Leptospira. The present study was conducted using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and hematological and biochemical tests on 200 blood samples of renal disorders patients in Shiraz, Iran. Also nested-PCR assay and Warthin-Starry (WS) silver staining method was performed on 30 nephrectomised kidney sample. The frequency of pathogenic species of Leptospira infection in patients with renal disorders was 20 % and this infection was significantly correlated with BUN, anemia, RDW, MCV, MCH and hemoglobin levels (P < 0.01). MAT analysis showed that serum samples had positive titers against L. Grippotyphosa (13 samples), L. Ballum (6 sample), L. Pomona (3 samples), L. Canicola (2 samples), L. Icterohaemorrhagiae (1 sample) and L. Hardjo (1 sample) serovars. Twenty-three percent of the kidney samples from the patients with pyelonephritis were infected with the pathogenic species of Leptospira. This study showed that pathogenic Leptospira serovars are present in this area and in patients with renal disorders more attention should be paid to this zoonotic disease.