Microagglutination test (MAT)
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Detection of agglutinating antibodies to Leptospira spp. by MAT.
- Leptospirosis
Fresh human serum.
Minimum volume required is 0.25 mL.
Icteric, hyperlipaemic, haemolysed or contaminated sera may yield erroneous results.
Collect blood in serum separator tubes.
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.
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.
Symptoms of Leptospira spp. infection may include fever, headache, chills, severe malaise, skin rash, vomiting, diarrhoea, myalgia, conjunctival suffusion, jaundice, kidney and/or liver failure, meningitis and chest pains.
The MAT is intended only for human sera which are positive or equivocal on the Leptospira IgM screening assay (e.g., ELISA).
Completed Requisition for Serological Testing for Selected Zoonotic Agents. If possible, include the clinical history and lab results performed at local or provincial laboratories.
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.
Testing is performed, in whole or in part, using a lab-developed test which has not been fully validated/verified due to a lack of well-characterized panel.
In-house MAT (using up to 20 serovars). This test is performed only on samples with are positive or equivocal by ELISA (IgM).
Current serovars:
Australis; Australis; Ballico
Australis; Bratislava; Jez Bratislava
Autumnalis; Autumnalis; Akiyami A
Ballum; Ballum; Mus 127
Bataviae; Bataviae; Van Tienen
Canicola; Canicola; Ruebush
Celledoni; Celledoni; Celledoni
Cynopteri; Cynopteri; 3522 C
Djasiman; Djasiman; Djasiman
Moskva V; Grippotyphosa type Moskva; Moskova V
Hebdomadis; Borincana; HS 622
Icterohaemorrhagiae; Icterohaemorrhagiae; RGA
Icterohaemorrhagiae; Mankarso; Mankarso
Javanica; Javanica; Veldrat Bataviae 46
Mini; Georgia; LT 117
Pomona; Pomona; Pomona
Pyrogenes; Alexi; HS 616
Pyrogenes; Pyrogenes; Salinem
Sejroe; Wolffi; 3705
Tarassovi; Tarassovi; Perepelitsin
Initial screening titre is 1:100 and if necessary, endpoint titres will be determined.
Supportive criteria for a probable case of Leptospirosis include a single MAT titre of ≥ 1:100, accompanied by a clinically compatible illness.
Criteria required for a confirmed diagnosis include a MAT titre of ≥ 1:800 in one or more serum samples or a four-fold or greater increase in a MAT titre between acute and convalescent serum samples. 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.
Up to 30 calendar days
- Levett, P.N. Leptospirosis (2001) Clin. Micro. Rev. (14): 296-326.