Usefulness of dark field microscopy (DFM), IGM ELISA and microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for the early diagnosis of acute leptospirosis

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Original Article

Author Details : Nitesh Kumar Jaiswal*, S Chandrasekaran, Atul Rukadikar

Volume : 6, Issue : 2, Year : 2019

Article Page : 166-169

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijmr.2019.036

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Abstract

Introduction: Early diagnosis of leptospirosis could indicate adequate and specific antibiotic treatment. Early treatment could prevent later complications involving liver, kidney, brain and eyes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate role of dark field Microscopy, IgM ELISA and Microagglutination test for the diagnosis of acute leptospirosis.
Materials and Methods: A total of 81 blood samples from the clinically suspected cases were collected and was investigated for DFM, IgM ELISA and MAT. For DFM blood was added to sodium oxalate solution (1%) in phosphate buffer P^H 8.0. A part of the blood samples were added to plane tube without anticoagulant, it was allowed to clot and sera were separated for performing MAT and ELISA.
Results: The sensitivity of DFM, IgM ELISA and MAT was observed as 55.55% (45/81), 65.43% (53/81), 53.08% (43 /81) respectively. It was also observed that DFM and ELISA were more sensitive in cases of 1to 7 days of infection. Sensitivity of DFM declined with more than 7 days of infection. Sensitivity of ELISA and MAT increased in cases of more than 7 days of infection.
Conclusion: DFM and IgM ELISA can be used for the diagnosis of acute leptospirosis. A standard dark field microscope with special condenser is needed for DFM. ELISA reader, multichannel pipette and commercial ELISA kits are required to perform ELISA. MAT can be performed in a centre where standard facilities as per the guidelines are available.

Keywords: DFM, Leptospira, ELISA, MAT.

How to cite : Jaiswal N K, Chandrasekaran S , Rukadikar A, Usefulness of dark field microscopy (DFM), IGM ELISA and microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for the early diagnosis of acute leptospirosis. Indian J Microbiol Res 2019;6(2):166-169

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