Diagnosing leptospirosis

Question 1

What tests can be used to diagnose leptospirosis?

Answer 1

• Testing for leptospirosis DNA
• ELISA
• Blood samples
• Microbiological culture of the leptospirosis bacteria

Question 2

What is the process of ELISA?

Answer 2

• The leptospirosis antigen is added to reaction vessels
• The patients sample is then added to the reaction vessels
• Any leptospirosis specific antibodies which are present in the patients sample will bind to the leptospirosis antigens
• Any other antibodies which are present in the patients sample will be unbound and washed out
• Another type of antibody which has an enzyme attached to it is added to the reaction vessels
• These antibodies bind to the primary antibodies and the reaction vessels are washed out again
• A solution is added to the reaction vessels and it contains a substrate which reacts to the enzymes which are attached to the secondary antibodies
• If there are any secondary antibodies present a coloured product is formed which will cause the solution in the reaction vessels to change colour and this will indicate whether the patient is infected with leptospirosis