Abstract
Percentage of serological positivity examined in 4205 blood sera by serological method microscopic agglutination test (MAT) on the hinterland territory of our laboratory (East Bohemia; 1999–2003) was 0.38–4.7 %. By the PCR method for detection of DNA of pathogenic leptospires (L. interrogans, L. borgpetersenii andL. kirschneri) from 57 samples of different biological materials from patients with fever of unknown etiology positive results were obtained in 4 specimens (7 %; 3 samples of urine and 1 sample of blood). This method was shown to distinguish between pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains and can detect 2.5–10 cells per mL of biological material. As an important presumption of successful detection of pathogenic leptospires a correct collecting of blood, urine samples or liquor is required before starting antibody therapy. The PCR method possesses a clear advantage over other methods, such as MAT, which relies on the detection of antibodies the presence of which cannot be detected until days after infection.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bal A.E., Gravekamp C., Harstkeerl R.A., de Meza-Brewster J., Korver H.: Detection of leptospires in urine by PCR for early diagnosis of leptospirosis.J.Clin.Microbiol. 32, 1894–1898 (1994).
Chmela J., Mazánek L., Příza M.: Pet rat as a source of Weile disease in its two owners.Zprávy CEM (Nat.Inst.Publ.Health, Prague) 11, 168 (2001).
Gravekamp C., van de Kemp H., Franzen M., Carrington D., Schoone G.J.: Detection of seven species of pathogenic leptospires by PCR using two sets of primers.J.Clin.Microbiol. 139, 1691–1700 (1993).
Jauréguiberry S., Roussel M., Brinchault-Rabin G., Gacouin A., le Meur A., Arvieux C., Michelet C., Tattevin P.: Clinical presentation of leptospirosis: a retrospective study of 34 patients admitted to a single institution in metropolitan France.Clin.Microbiol.Infectol. 11, 391–394 (2005).
Mérien F., Amouriaux P., Perolat P., Baranton G., Saint Girons I.: Polymerase chain reaction for detection odLeptospira spp. in clinical samples.J.Clin.Microbiol. 30, 2219–2224 (1992).
Parma A., Seijo A., Lucchesi P.M., Deodato B., Sanz M.E.: Differentiation of pathogenic and non-pathogenic leptospires by means of the polymerase chain reaction.Rev.Inst.Med.Trop.S.Paulo 39, 203–207 (1997).
Rathinam S.R.: Ocular leptospirosis.Curr.Opin.Ophthalmol. 13, 381–396 (2002).
Sejvar J., Brancroft E., Withrop K.: Leptospirosis in “Eco-Challenge” athletes, Malaysian Borneo.Emerg.Infect.Dis. 9, 702–707 (2003).
Smythe L.D., Smith I.L., Smith G.A., Dohnt M.F., Symonds M.L., Barnett L.J., McKay D.B.: A quantitative PCR (TaqMan) assay for pathogenicLeptospira spp.BMC Infect.Dis. 2, 13–19 (2002).
Trevejo R.T., Rigau-Pérez J.G., Ashford D.A., McClure E.M., Jarguin-Gonzales C.: Epidemic leptospirosis associated with pulmonary hemorrhage — Nicaragua, 1995.J.Infect.Dis. 178, 1457–1463 (1998).
Truccolo J., Serais O., Merien F., Perolat P.: Following the course of human leptospirosis: evidence of a critical threshold for the vital prognosis using a quantitative PCR assay.FEMS Microbiol.Lett. 204, 317–321 (2001).
Viechová J., Beneš J.: Dual infections: Weile disease (Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae) andSalmonella sepsis (Salmonella enteritidis) after swimming in the river.Zprávy CEM (Nat.Inst.Publ.Health, Prague) 9, 339–340 (1999).
Zitek K.: Leptospirosis — the health risk after flood.Temporus Medicorum 11, 36–37 (2002).
Zitek K., Sedláček I.:Leptospira sp. taxonomy.Remedia Klin.Mikrobiol. 3, 232–235 (1999).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Čermáková, Z., Plíšková, L. & Ryšková, O. Laboratory diagnosis of leptospirosis. Folia Microbiol 50, 345–347 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02931416
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02931416