Leptospirosis is an emerging and reemerging bacterial zoonosis caused by Spirochaetes belonging to the genus Leptospira. Various serological tests are available for the confirmatory diagnosis of Leptospirosis in the laboratory. IgM ELISA is commonly done in the first week of fever in most of the laboratories.PCR has been a major advance but it is available only in a few centres in Kerala. We had an epidemic in the first week of September 2018 following the floods. A total number of 373 blood samples collected from suspected cases of Leptospirosis were subjected to serological tests in the 24 hour Serology laboratory at Government Medical college Hospital, Ernakulam. IgM ELISA for Leptospira was found to be positive in 27 cases (7.2%).Blood samples and urine samples were sent to NIV Alappuzha for PCR testing. Among the 111 serum and urine samples tested, 9 serum samples and  urine sample were positive for Leptospira by PCR. Mortality rate was less than 1 % in suspected cases and 11.11% in PCR positive cases of Leptospirosis.

Keywords: Leptospirosis, ELISA, PCR

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Dr J.Lancy

Professor, GMC, Ernakulam, India