RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF SOME LEPTOSPIRA ISOLATES FROM CATTLE BY RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA-FINGERPRINTING

We compared random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting wit h cross-absorption agglutination and restriction enzyme analysis for t yping bovine leptospires. Using RAPD fingerprinting, we examined a num ber of Leptospira serovars, namely, hardjo genotypes bovis and prajitn o, pomona, balcanica, tarassovi, swajizak, kremastos, australis, and z anoni, which are likely to be isolated from Australian cattle. Each se rovar and genotype had a unique RAPD profile. Of 26 field isolates of Leptospira, 23 were identified as hardjo genotype bovis subtype A, 2 w ere identified as zanoni, and 1 was identified as pomona by RAPD finge rprinting, and their types were confirmed by cross-absorption agglutin ation and restriction enzyme analysis.