Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) -IgM

Detection of IgM antibodies to Leptospira spp. by ELISA.

Fresh human serum. Minimum volume of serum required - 0.5 mL. Hyperlipaemic, haemolysed or contaminated sera may yield erroneous results.

Collect blood aseptically in a sterile serum separator tube or sterile tube without preservatives.

Transfer an aliquot of serum to a 1.5 mL screw-top vial with O-ring (Sarstedt vial). Store specimen refrigerated up to five days or store frozen until shipped for testing. Ship frozen on dry ice or wet ice.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Symptoms of Leptospira spp. infection may include fever, headache, chills, severe malaise, skin rash, vomiting, diarrhoea, myalgia, conjunctival suffusion, jaundice, kidney and/or liver failure, meningitis and chest pains. Contact with an infected animal (dogs, cattle, raccoons, rodents, etc.) or recent travel to locations known to be endemic for Leptospira spp.

Completed ‘Requisition for Leptospira spp.Testing’

Specimens may be subject to rejection if they are not the appropriate sample type, have insufficient volume or are not accompanied by relevant patient information or clinical history.

Initiation of antibiotic treatment prior to testing may result in decreased antibody production which will affect the outcome of serological testing.

As with any laboratory test, results of the test should be interpreted with consideration of all available laboratory and clinical findings.

FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY.

Commercial IgM ELISA kit. This is a qualitative test for the detection of IgM antibodies to Leptospira spp. in serum, as an aid in the clinical laboratory diagnosis of patients with clinical symptoms consistent with leptospirosis. Samples, which are reactive or equivocal by ELISA, are subject to confirmation by the Micro-Agglutination (MAT).

21 calendar days (ELISA result only). Up to six weeks if specimen requires further testing with the MAT.

1. Levett, P.N. Leptospirosis (2001) Clin. Micro. Rev. (14): 296-326.