LEPTOSPIROSIS

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection of humans and animals with worldwide distribution. Transmission is generally via infected urine in a wet habitat (sewage, mud, water) and entry through mucous membranes. The  12-well slides utilize inactivated leptospires, treated to expose genus-common antigens. In human patients IgM reactivity is both sensitive and specific, and can be performed either with a fluorescent conjugate (IFA-IgM) or with a peroxidase conjugate (IPA-IgM) when a fluorescence microscope is not available.