Comparison of results of two serological methods for diagnosing leptospirosis - microagglutination test and ELISA
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the SERION ELISA classic IgM and -SERION ELISA classic IgG kits and to confirm the results by the microagglutination test (MAT). Material and methods: A total of 45 blood serum samples from 45 patients, 30 from males and 15 from females (mean age 44.24 +- 15.56 range 19-82 year), were included in our study.
Blood serum samples were examined using the ELISA and MAT methods and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of both methods were calculated. Results: The MAT was shown to have 100 % diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.
The ELISA kits for detecting IgM and IgG antibodies against pathogenic leptospires had diagnostic sensitivity of 100 % and diagnostic specificity of 88.6 % and 54.3 %, respectively. Conclusion: The above results suggest that the MAT with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100 % remains the gold standard for detection of specific antibodies against pathogenic leptospires.
The diagnostic sensitivity of both ELISA kits is high but due to their low diagnostic specificity, especially in the case of IgG antibodies, the kits are inappropriate for use in routine clinical practice.