Recombinant antigen-based latex agglutination test for rapid serodiagnosis of leptospirosis

A rapid recombinant antigen-based latex agglutination test (LAT) has been developed to detect specific anti-leptospiral antibodies from human and dog sera. The recombinant LipL32 antigen developed and used for detecting the antibodies is specific in detection of the pathogenic serovars of Leptospira as the expression of the LipL32 antigen is restricted only to the pathogenic leptospires. The sensitized latex beads are stable and could be stored at 4 degrees C for more than three months without showing loss of activity for both weakly and strongly positive samples. The test is found to be sensitive, specific and accurate as compared to the standard microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Moreover, the recombinant antigen-coated latex beads could detect the specific anti-leptospiral antibodies in the acute phase of the illness. The test is simple and inexpensive, and is rapid in the management of large numbers of patients.