Leptospira IgG ELISA Kit

Sample

serum or plasma

Species Reactivity

Human

Detection Method

iELISA

Intended Use

The CD Leptospira IgG ELISA Kit are quantitative and qualitative tests for detection of genus-specific human antibodies against Leptospira in serum or plasma. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Storage

1. microtiter strips (antigen), after opening at 2-8°C in closed aluminum bag with desiccant, 4 weeks. Strips which are not used must be stored in the press-seal bag of aluminum compound foil under dry and airtight conditions!
2. control sera / standard sera, after opening at 2-8°C, until expiry date; 24 months from date of production.
3. conjugate, ready-to-use solution, at 2-8°C, until expiry date 28 months from date of production. Avoid contamination (sterile tips!)
4. dilution buffer, after opening at 2-8°C, 24 months, Discard cloudy solutions! Unopened, until expiry date; 36 months from date of production.
5. washing solution. Concentrate after opening at 2-8°C, until expiry date. Working dilution at 2-8°C, 2 weeks. Working dilution at room temperature, 1 week. Bottles used for the working dilution should be cleaned regularly, discard cloudy solutions.
6. substrate, ready-to-use solution at 2-8°C, protected from light! Until expiry date 24 months from date of production. Avoid contamination (sterile tips!) Discard when solution turns yellow (extinction against distilled water > 0.25).
7. stopping solution, after opening at room temperature. Until expiry date.

General Description

Leptospires are spiral-shaped, Gram-negative, obligate aerobic spirochetes with internal flagella. The genus is divided into two species, the pathogenic Leptospira interrogans and the free-living nonpathogenic Leptospira biflexa. Leptospira interrogans has about 200 different serovars based on the variability of surface antigens. Leptospires affect mammals (wild and domestic animals), reptiles and amphibians; they may be shed in the urine lifelong. Rats and other rodents are primary reservoirs for human infection. Infection is transmitted by urine-contaminated soil or water, rat bites or animal tissue. Especially occupational groups like agriculturists, plumbers, mine workers, fishermen and meatindustry workers are at great risk of exposure.
Mucosa and skin lesions are the most likely sites of entry for leptospires. Bacteria mainly proliferate in the central nervous system, kidneys and liver.

The immune system removes organisms from blood and organs within 4-7 days by complement and humoral immunity. Cell-mediated immunity does not appear to be important. Leptospires within the convoluted tubules of the kidneys may survive due to the inefficiency of the immune system, the complement system in particular. For this reason infectious leptospires are shed in urine.
Micro-agglutination tests, ELISAs and indirect fluorescence-antibody tests are most frequently used for serodiagnosis.