Leptospira detection Test

Leptospirosis, the bacterial disease that affects humans and animals is a common condition in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It is caused by the bacteria Leptospira. The symptoms of leptospirosis can range from general; mild fever, headaches, vomiting, cough muscle pain and etc. to the other viral hemorrhagic, hepatitis, meningitis, and dengue’s. Animals are carrier of the bacterial infection. Vaccines for animals exist for certain type of Leptospira which ultimately decreases the risk of spread to humans. Hence, early diagnostic tests include testing a serum or blood sample serologically with a panel of different strains is vital.

No special preparation is needed for leptospira antigen test. Your doctor should know of your current or past prescriptions or any basic medical state before undergoing leptospira antigen test. Depending upon your condition doctor will give special instructions after a thorough physical examination. It is advisable to ask your doctor before stopping, taking any medications. No fasting is obligatory and you can have the normal diet ahead of the test and even following it.

Doctors shall make a presumptive diagnosis based on the patient's history and physical
examination.
Collect blood samples or urine samples from the patient.
If specimens are not tested immediately, it must be refrigerated under proper temperature.
And if it is to be stored for more than 2 weeks, freezing is recommended.
Allow the specimens in room temperature immediately before testing.
Patients with severe symptoms should be treated with confirmatory tests that are time-
consuming.
Following procedures can also be followed
o Direct observation –examining the bacteria under a microscope.
o DNA tests – searching directly for the bacteria in DNA.
o Antibody tests – looking for the antibodies that a person create when the immune
system fights infection.