Description:
The Leptospira IgG ELISA test is an enzyme immunoassay for the detection of antibodies to Leptospira biflexa (serovar patoc 1) for the serological confirmation of infections in serum and plasma.
This test is intended to be performed by trained laboratory personnel only.
The clinical manifestations of leptospirosis range from a mild catarrh-like illness to icteric disease with severe liver and kidney involvement. Natural reservoirs for leptospirosis include rodents as well as a large variety of domesticated mammals. The organisms occupy the lumen of nephritic tubules in their natural host and are shed into the urine. Human infection derives from direct exposure to infected animals (veterinarians, abattoir workers, or dairy workers for example) or by exposure to environments contaminated by animal carriers (e.g. agricultural workers). Bathing or swimming in water sources about which livestock have been pastured has been demonstrated to be a potential infection hazard. The organisms enter the host through skin abrasions, mucosal surfaces or the eye. The incubation period can range from 3 to 30 days but is usually found to be 10 to 12 days. Antibodies can become detectable by the 6th to 10th day of disease and generally reach peak levels within 3 to 4 weeks. Antibody levels then gradually recede but may remain detectable for years.
Epidemiologic factors, clinical findings, exposure in endemic regions, and other laboratory results should be considered in diagnosing acute disease. Acute disease diagnosis will also include a positive laboratory confirmation in many cases. This test is designed to measure acute infections with Leptospira. Confirmation of a positive sample by additional methods should be followed.
The microwells are coated with purified Leptospira Patoc 1 antigen. During the first incubation with the diluted patients’ sera, any antibodies which are reactive with the antigen will bind to the coated wells. After washing to remove the rest of the sample, the Enzyme Conjugate is added. If antibodies have been bound to the wells, the Enzyme Conjugate will then bind to these antibodies. After another series of washes, a chromogen (tetramethylbenzidine, or TMB) is added. If the Enzyme Conjugate is present, the peroxidase will catalyze a reaction that consumes the peroxide and turns the chromogen from clear to blue. Addition of the Stop Solution ends the reaction and turns the blue color to a bright yellow color.
The reaction may then be read visually or with an ELISA reader.