Leptospirosis Serodiagnosis by the Microscopic Agglutination Test

• DOI: 10.1002/9780471729259.mc12e05s32
• Publication Date: 2014-02-06T13:23:46Z
• Authors: Marga G.A. Goris; Rudy A. Hartskeerl
• Keywords: Direct agglutination test; Agglutination (biology); Seroconversion

Abstract The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) is the gold standard for sero‐diagnosis of leptospirosis because its unsurpassed diagnostic specificity. It uses panels live leptospires, ideally recent isolates, representing circulating serovars from area where patient became infected. A dilution series patient's serum mixed with a suspension leptospires in microtiter plates. After incubating about 2 hr at 30°C, results are read under dark‐field microscope. titer last which ≥50% have remained agglutinated. Seroconversion or ≥4‐fold rise paired sera consistent current leptospirosis. significance single sample depends on frequency residual titers due to past infections and cross‐reacting other diseases population. Full standardization MAT not possible, but quality assurance can be achieved by participation international proficiency testing scheme. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol . 32:12E.5.1‐12E.5.18. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.