Abstract |
In a prospective study in Barbados between 1979 and 1989, 321 cases were diagnosed in 638 patients presenting at a hospital with symptoms of leptospirosis. Initial diagnosis was based on patient history and characteristic signs and symptoms. In 92 cases (29%), diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of organisms from the blood, urine, or dialysate fluid; in the remaining 229 cases (71%) diagnosis was confirmed by serology alone. Results of an IgM-ELISA and microscopic agglutination test (MAT) in cases with isolates and in non- leptospirosis cases were used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the tests. The sensitivity of IgM detection by ELISA was 52% in the first acute-phase specimen, increasing to 89% and 93% in the second acute-phase and convalescent specimens, respectively. The specificity of the IgM-ELISA was high (> or = 94%) in all specimens. The sensitivity of the MAT was low (30%) in the first acute-phase specimen, increasing to 63% in the second acute-phase specimen and 76% in the convalescent specimen. The specificity of the MAT was > or = 97% in all specimens.
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Authors | P Cumberland, C O Everard, P N Levett |
Journal | The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
(Am J Trop Med Hyg)
Vol. 61
Issue 5
Pg. 731-4
(Nov 1999)
ISSN: 0002-9637 [Print] United States |
PMID | 10586903
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Bacterial
- Immunoglobulin M
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Topics |
- Acute Disease
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Agglutination Tests
(standards)
- Antibodies, Bacterial
(blood)
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
(standards)
- Female
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin M
(blood)
- Leptospira
(chemistry, immunology, isolation & purification)
- Leptospirosis
(blood, diagnosis, immunology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
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