Dnyaneshwari P Ghadage1, Vrishali A Muley, Arvind V Bhore. 1. Department of Microbiology, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, Survey No. 49/1, 53/2, Off Mumbai-Pune Bypass, Narhe Ambegaon (Bk), Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Dear Editor,Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with humans getting the infection either from rodent hosts or from domestic animals.[12] The disease, if not diagnosed and treated at an early stage, can cause fatal complications. Hence, early confirmation of the diagnosis improves the prognosis.[3]In the present study, serological evaluation of human subjects suspected of leptospirosis was done. Serological tests used were Leptotek Dri-Dot test, IgM ELISA and MAT either in combination or singly.A total of 882 serum samples were received in the Regional Diagnostic Centre during one year period. Out of 25.1% samples processed by Dri-Dot test, 11.2% were positive by Dri-Dot test. IgM ELISA was performed on 585 (66.3%) samples. 37% of these were positive by IgM ELISA. Fifty samples were tested by both the tests, Dri-Dot and IgM ELISA. 36% samples were positive by both the tests. 16% were positive by Dri-Dot but negative by IgM ELISA. 2% samples were negative by Dr-Dot but positive by IgM ELISA. 25 samples were subjected to MAT, out of which 44% were positive by MAT. Icterohaemorrhagiae was found to be the predominant serovar.Dri-Dot test is sensitive, rapid and easy to perform. However, it is less specific than IgM ELISA. Hence, Dri-Dot test can be used at periphery where facility for ELISA is not available. In a hospital scenario, laboratory diagnosis should be done by ELISA.