Gel purified LipL32: a prospective antigen for detection of leptospirosis
Tahiliani, P.; Kumar, M.M.; Chandu, D.; Kumar, A.; Nagaraj, C.; Nandi, D.
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine 51(3): 164-168
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3859 PMID: 16333186 Document Number: 264375
Leptospirosis, a zoonosis, is a re-emerging disease, affecting populations across the globe. However, the current methods of diagnosis are time- consuming, cumbersome, imprecise or expensive. To develop an assay for differential and early diagnosis of Leptospirosis. IgG based ELISA for evaluation of three antigens, namely, a gel-purified recombinant protein (rLipL32), secreted proteins and whole organism sonicates of Leptospira spp. The antigens were evaluated using, rabbit polyclonal antiserum and human sera samples. Studies with a rabbit polyclonal antiserum indicated the utility of these antigens in differentiating Leptospira from other common pathogenic organisms. Evaluation of these antigens with fifteen representative human serum samples indicated gel-purified rLipL32 to be a potentially useful antigen for detection of leptospirosis. The results obtained with IgG ELISA were correlated with the results of microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Gel-purified rLipL32 is a valuable antigen for early and accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis. Further evaluation of this assay in field conditions and larger sera samples will indicate its suitability in case of an epidemic.