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Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) -IgM

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Accredited by the Standards Council of Canada to Laboratory no. 594 (ISO/IEC 17025).

Requisition Forms

Reference Details

Description:

Detection of IgM antibodies to Leptospira spp. by ELISA.

Test Category:
Serology
Pathogen:
Leptospira spp.
Laboratory:
Illnesses and Diseases:
  • Leptospirosis
Specimen:

Fresh human serum.

Minimum volume required is 0.25 mL.

Icteric, hyperlipaemic, haemolysed or contaminated sera may yield erroneous results.

 

Collection Method:

Collect blood in serum separator tubes.

Specimen Processing, Storage and Shipping:

Transfer an aliquot of serum to a 1.5 mL screw-top vial with O-ring (Sarstedt vial). Store specimen refrigerated up to five days or store frozen until shipped for testing. Ship frozen on dry ice or with freezer packs.

Transportation of Dangerous Goods:

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

 

Patient Criteria:

Symptoms of Leptospira spp. infection may include fever, headache, chills, severe malaise, skin rash, vomiting, diarrhea, myalgia, conjunctival suffusion, jaundice, kidney and/or liver failure, meningitis and chest pains.

Accompanying Documentation:

Completed Requisition for Serological Testing for Selected Zoonotic Agents. If possible, include the clinical history and lab results performed at local or provincial laboratories.

Comments:

Specimens may be subject to rejection if they are not the appropriate sample type, have insufficient volume or are not accompanied by relevant patient information or clinical history. 

Methods and Interpretation of Results:

Testing was performed, in whole or in part, with an unlicensed medical device obtained under Special Access.

Commercial IgM ELISA kit. This is a qualitative test for the detection of IgM antibodies to Leptospira spp. in serum. Samples, which are positive or equivocal by ELISA, are subject to confirmation by the Microagglutination test (MAT). Serologic evidence of infection is best obtained by testing acute and convalescent phase serum specimens collected 3 – 6 weeks apart.

Initiation of antibiotic treatment prior to testing may result in decreased antibody production which will affect the outcome of serological testing.

Turnaround Time:

21 calendar days 

Contact:
Phone #: (204) 789-6068
Fax: (204) 789-2082
References:
  1. Levett, P.N. Leptospirosis (2001) Clin. Micro. Rev. (14): 296-326.
Guidelines:
Related Information: