Chemotactic behavior of pathogenic and nonpathogenic Leptospira species

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2012 Dec;78(23):8467-9. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02288-12. Epub 2012 Sep 21.

Abstract

We have developed a capillary tube assay in combination with real-time PCR to quantitate the number of chemoattracted Leptospira cells. We identified Tween 80, glucose, sucrose, and pyruvate as attractants for Leptospira cells; amino acids and vitamin B(12) were found to be nonchemotactic or weakly chemotactic. This assay has the general applicability to further our understanding of leptospiral chemotaxis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Load
  • Chemotactic Factors / analysis
  • Chemotaxis*
  • Leptospira / pathogenicity
  • Leptospira / physiology*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Chemotactic Factors