Eurofins Biomnis code

LEPT

Synonyms

• Leptospirosis
• Sickness disease

Clinic significance

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial infection caused by Leptospira interrogans which is carried by wild rodents and domestic animals. Human infection occurs when there is contact with an infected animal or a contaminated water source. This species includes at least 23 different serogroups and over 200 serovars. L. icterohaemorrhagiae is the best known, causing Weil's syndrome with severe jaundice, disturbances of consciousness and renal insufficiency. Isolating the bacterium is not feasible as a routine diagnostic procedure because it needs to be seeded directly into EMJH medium. However, it is often possible to detect bacterial DNA directly in the blood, the CSF or the urine by PCR assay. Serological analysis is often the only available diagnostic tool. Rapid tests are available but their value is debatable. The reference parameter is a microagglutination test (the Martin and Pettit agglutination-lysis test) which is conducted with 9 different serotypes. For a definitive diagnosis, it is necessary to observe seroconversion or record an antibody titer of over 100 for several different strains.Please note this serology is recommended for post vaccination follow-up

Prenalytics

• 2 mL
• serum (do not use 10 mL tube)
• Refrigerated

Further information

• Only to be performed during the immune phase (IgM detection, approx. seven days after the onset of the disease, for two or three months)
• .

Methodology

Enzyme-immunoassay

Turnaround time

7 days