Research Article Molecular Characterization of Leptospira spp. in Environmental Samples from North-Eastern Malaysia Revealed a Pathogenic Strain, Leptospira alstonii Muhammad Azharuddin Azali, 1 Chan Yean Yean, 2 Azian Harun, 2 Nurul Najian Aminuddin Baki, 2 and Nabilah Ismail 2 1 School of Agriculture Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Tembila Campus, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia 2 Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia Correspondence should be addressed to Nabilah Ismail; drnabilah@usm.my Received 17 December 2015; Revised 16 March 2016; Accepted 17 March 2016 Academic Editor: Marcel Tanner Copyright © 2016 Muhammad Azharuddin Azali et al. Tis is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Te presence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in the environment poses threats to human health. Te aim of this study was to detect and characterize Leptospira spp. from environmental samples. A total of 144 samples comprised of 72 soil and 72 water samples were collected from markets and recreational areas in a north-eastern state in Malaysia. Samples were cultured on Ellinghausen and McCullough modifed by Johnson and Harris media. Leptospires were positive in 22.9% ( = 33) of the isolates. Based on partial sequences of 16S rRNA, a pathogenic leptospire, Leptospira alstonii ( = 1/33), was identifed in 3% of the isolates followed by intermediate leptospire (L. wolfi,  = 1/33, and L. licerasiae,  = 7/33) and nonpathogenic leptospire, L. meyeri ( = 22/33) in 24.2% and 66.7%, respectively. Tis study demonstrates the presence of a clinically signifcant pathogenic L. alstonii in the environments which could pose health risks to the occupants and visitors. 1. Introduction Leptospirosis is one of the most important zoonoses infecting both developing and developed countries in the world [1]. Traditionally, leptospirosis was classifed as an occupational disease [2]. Later, leptospirosis was also associated with recreational activities through exposure to the contaminated soil or water [3–5]. An increasing number of people involved in outdoor activities have increased the chances of infection. Pets and rodents are the sources of infection in the housing areas. High density of rats in the markets poses potential threats to visitors and town service workers [6]. Te expan- sion of housing areas also increases the opportunistic contact between humans and the infected wildlife. Environments are frequently associated with nonpathogenic leptospires. How- ever, a novel pathogenic species, L. kmetyi, has been isolated from environmental samples in Malaysia [7]. Malaysia is a tropical country with high seasonal rainfall, warm temperatures, and wet and humid climate. Tese condi- tions lengthen the survival of leptospires in the environment. It is common that foods occur following heavy rainfall dur- ing monsoon season in the East Coast. Te presence of lep- tospires in the environment during fooding may potentially cause an outbreak of leptospirosis. Kelantan which is located in the East Coast of Malaysia is among the afected states. Te number of cases increased during fooding from on average 20 cases to 31 cases [8]. Many inhabitants in this state are also involved in agricultural activities which pose the highest risk as 50 cases were reported from the workers in this sector [8]. It was also reported that, in 2011, one death was recorded out of 276 cases [9]. Previously, one death was reported from a waterfall in Kelantan which is Jeram Pasu [10]. In order to identify the potential threats of leptospirosis in the envi- ronments, the present study aims to detect and characterize Hindawi Publishing Corporation Journal of Tropical Medicine Volume 2016, Article ID 2060241, 7 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/2060241