A Rapid In-Clinic Test Detects Acute Leptospirosis in Dogs with High Sensitivity and Specificity

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Diagnostics
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Leptospirosis is a significant zoonotic disease in dogs.
• Accurate and rapid diagnosis of acute canine leptospirosis is crucial for timely treatment.
• Existing diagnostic methods may have limitations in point-of-care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new rapid IgM-detection immunochromatographic test for acute canine leptospirosis.
• To compare the test's sensitivity and specificity against the microscopic agglutination assay (MAT).

Main Methods:

• The study utilized banked serum samples from dogs with suspected leptospirosis, categorized by MAT titer (positive, borderline, negative).
• Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were calculated using the MAT as the reference standard (cut-off titer ≥800).
• Analyses were performed using both weighted (to reflect French prevalence) and unweighted group sizes.

Main Results:

• The rapid test demonstrated high diagnostic sensitivity (98%) and specificity (93.5% weighted; 88.2% unweighted).
• The test effectively identified acute cases of canine leptospirosis.
• No interference from previous vaccination was observed, indicating reliable results in vaccinated populations.

Conclusions:

• The WITNESS® Lepto test is a valuable tool for rapid, point-of-care diagnosis of acute canine leptospirosis.
• The test offers high accuracy and is suitable for use in clinical settings, even in previously vaccinated dogs.
• This diagnostic advancement aids in prompt management of leptospirosis in canine populations.