Significance of Leptospira IgM . test

Yellow spirochetes in humans are caused by zoonotic disease. In the early stages, the disease has no obvious symptoms, only in the acute stage, the patient will have symptoms of jaundice. If not detected and treated promptly, spirochetes can cause the patient dead. To diagnose the disease, in addition to the clinical symptoms, the doctor will order the Leptospira IgM test.

Leptospira is a microscopic and hair-thin bacterium, with two curved ends, 0.1 - 0.2 μm in diameter, about 5-25 μm in length. When observed under the microscope, it must be stained by the Fontana - Tribondeau method and magnified to 10,000 times to be able to detect this bacterium with small spirals close together.
Leptospira bacteria are weak, but still stronger than other spirochetes, easily die in an acidic environment and under sunlight, but can live in soil, fresh water, and salt for a whole month.
Leptospira bacteria are found in animals and urine with:
Frequent reservoir of Leptospira bacteria: Rats. Infrequent reservoir of Leptospira bacteria: Cattle species such as buffaloes, cows, horses,... The route of Leptospira bacteria transmission to humans is through skin abrasions, open wounds caused by direct or indirect contact. with animals carrying bacteria:
Persons in direct contact with sick animals: Veterinarians, livestock workers or people who directly slaughter animals. Indirect contact: Soldiers, mining workers, farmers, and fishermen come into direct contact with water and soil contaminated with Leptospira bacteria. When Leptospira bacteria attack and cause an infection, spirochetes are infected with the typical symptom of jaundice. However, there is also a strain of Leptospira bacteria that does not show jaundice.

Spiral jaundice is divided into 2 stages:
Stage 1: Acute spirochete infection. Most patients who recover will have no symptoms for 1 week.
After 1 to 3 days, stage 2 may appear.
Stage 2: Immunity against spirochetes. Severe disease causes aseptic meningitis in just a few days.
For mild cases, usually stage 2 will not appear.
Spirococcal jaundice has a sudden onset with typical symptoms:
Sudden high fever from 39-40 degrees Celsius, prolonged shivering lasting 5-7 days, then completely cured or recurred after 2 to 5 days Meningeal syndrome occurs: Severe headache, delirium, stiff neck. Nausea, vomiting Muscle aches in the legs, thighs, back, abdomen May also appear sore throat, generalized rash, red eyes, photophobia, chest pain, even coughing up blood. More severe conditions will have symptoms: Urinary less, even anuria, proteinuria, increased blood urea. Jaundice, yellow eyes, dark urine.

Indication to draw patient's blood for testing. Currently, there are many methods to determine the presence of Leptospira bacteria such as:
Soluble agglutination reaction, microscopic agglutination test. Do serology: Indirect RBC agglutination test, Microcapsule agglutination test and IgM ELISA test with commercially available kits. The patient's double serum was obtained after the patient had been symptomatic for more than 7 days. Take the second double serum 1 to 2 weeks after the first.

Perform IgM ELISA test with the kits that are now widely used with fast diagnostic features, a mechanism to help detect and distinguish IgM and IgG antibodies against Leptospira interrogans in serum, plasma and blood of the patient.
Specimens for diagnosis include: Whole blood, serum, EDTA anticoagulant plasma, Heparin of the patient.
After taking the patient sample, take it back to the laboratory immediately after taking it.
If not tested immediately, the specimen can be stored for 24 hours at normal temperature of 15-25 degrees Celsius, preserved for 5 days if kept at 2-8 degrees Celsius and at a lower temperature. -20 degrees Celsius for longer storage.
Preventing leptospirosis strict environmental sanitation Vaccination against Leptospira infection for workers at high risk of infection. The proactive prevention of spirochetes caused by Leptospira bacteria is very necessary and important to protect yourself and those around you. When the body shows the above abnormal signs, it is necessary to quickly go to medical facilities for timely examination and testing.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, a system of modern equipment and technology. The hospital provides comprehensive and professional medical examination, consultation and treatment services, with a civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Customers when choosing to perform tests here can be completely assured of the accuracy of test results.

Reference source: pasteurhcm.gov.vn