Isolation and serological evidences in suspected leptospirosis cases in and around Chennai

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection, which occurs mostly in persons venturing in aquatic environment, like farmers and sanitary workers. The objectives of the study were to isolate leptospires and to screen for leptospiral antibodies by MAT and IgM and IgG plate ELISAs to ascertain leptospirosis among suspected leptospirosis cases in and around Chennai. 198 cases of suspected leptospirosis cases attending government and private hospitals in Chennai, were included for this study. Blood samples collected in triplicate at an interval of 7 days from each case, were subjected to culture and leptospiral antibody detection by MAT and IgM and IgG plate ELISAs. The corresponding urine samples were screened for culture only. Out of the 198 cases, 118 (59.5%) were positive by MAT and 124 (62.6%) were positive by IgM and IgG plate ELISAs. Only two isolates of leptospira were possible, that too in urine only. One of the isolates belonged to serogroup Canicola and the other to Autumnalis. To conclude, leptospirosis is endemic in and around Chennai and so proper identification, diagnosis and treatment, apart from prophylactic measures are required.