Simple latex agglutination assay for rapid serodiagnosis of human leptospirosis

A newly developed latex agglutination assay for the detection of genus-spec ific Leptospira antibodies in human sera was evaluated. The assay is perfor med by mixing, on an agglutination card, serum with equal volumes of stabil ized antigen-coated, dyed test and control latex beads and is read within 2 min. The latex agglutination test was evaluated with groups of serum sampl es from patients with leptospirosis and control patients from Hawaii, the S eychelles, Thailand, and The Netherlands. The mean overall sensitivity was 82.3%, and the mean overall specificity was 94.6%. The assay is easy to per form and does not require special skills or equipment. The reagents have a long shelf life, even at tropical temperatures. Together, these factors mak e the assay suitable for use even at the peripheral level of a health care system as a rapid screening test for leptospirosis.