A rapid latex agglutination test for detection of leptospiral antibodies

A rapid semi-quantitative latex agglutination test (LAT) has been standardized for the detection of leptospiral antibodies in serum samples of man and animals. The efficacy of the LAT was compared with the plate enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 276 human serum samples were analyzed by both LAT and ELISA and percentage positives were 84.8 and 85.9%, respectively. Similarly, of 65 animal samples tested, 63.1 and 69.2% positivity were observed in LAT and ELISA, respectively. Even though the ELISA test was slightly more sensitive than LAT, the rapidity, simplicity and economics of the LAT were found to fulfill the requirements of a screening test for leptospiral antibodies.