Leptospira IgM:
Why Leptospira IgM Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
Human leptospirosis is an acute febrile illness that presents with many manifestations (while in a few cases may remain undetected or un-manifested). Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a rare bacterial infection. This zoonotic disease is caused by a spirochete Leptospirainterrogans. The bacteria belong to the genus Leptospira. The infected animals may not show symptoms but can be carriers. High-risk exposure of leptospirosis includes certain occupational groups like farmers, mine workers, sewer workers, slaughterhouse, fish workers, fishermen, occupations related to boat, dairy farmers, animal caretakers or livestock farmers, veterinarians, recreational exposure like swimming etc. It is spread through (their urine i.e urine of infected animals) animals such as rodents, dogs, farm animals etc. In some rare un-neglected cases without treatment can lead to Weil disease, kidney damage (nephritis), meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress or it can also be a life-threatening condition. Mode of transmission includes unhygienic contact of humans with the urine of infected animals when accidentally gets contaminated (with water or soil), exposure of body fluids of animals to the human cut wounds, exposure of edible substances with leptospira infected urine etc. There are rare incidences of leptospirosis outbreaks due to exposure to contaminated water like floodwater etc. clinical manifestations of leptospirosis are influenza, high fever, headache, chills, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle aches, red eyes, diarrhoea, jaundice (due to liver failure), renal symptoms due to kidney infections, systemic inflammatory syndrome, internal bleeding, inflammation to the pancreas and/or gall bladder, myocarditis, meningitis etc. Tests for leptospirosis include tests (blood, CSF, peritoneal dialysate) for the presence of antibodies, PCR, blood smear (darkfield microscopic exam may demonstrate leptospires) or microscopic examination of CSF and/or urine etc. Positive IgM antibodies may be positive in the acute phase of leptospirosis infection. Other additional tests include CBC, test for the presence of proteinuria, tests for hematuria, casts, Microscopic agglutination test, indirect hemagglutination antibody test, PCR, and culture methods (but not often used) etc.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
