Leptospira pathogens belonging to the serogroup Hurstbridge or serovar Hurstbridge

摘要

An isolated pathogenic Leptospira bacterium of serogroup Hurstbridge or a bacterium that is at least serologically cross-reactive to a bacterium belonging to the serogroup Hurstbridge. The bacterium is capable of inducing reproductive disease such as foetal death in utero or spontaneous abortion and seasonal infertility. Also disclosed is a method for isolating the Leptospira bacterium and a method for diagnosing the presence of the leptospira with nucleotide probes. Also disclosed is a composition capable of conferring protective immunity against the pathogenic leptospira and its use in treating the before mentioned reproductive diseases.