Antibodies to Leptospirosis in Rodents from Thailand
Using a Modified Human Diagnostic Assay
THOMAS M KOLLARS Jr, Ph.D.*, DUANGPORN PHULSUKSOMBATI,D.V.M.,M.Sc.**,
DARIKA KINGNATE, D.V.M., M.P.H.***, JETSUMON PRACHUMSRI, Ph.D.*
NATTA WAN RACHPHAEW, M.S.*, TAW EESAK MONKANNA, Tech.*,
MONTIP GETTAYAKAMIN,D.V.M.****
Affiliation : * Department of Entomology, United States Army Medical Component, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical
Sciences (USAMC-AFRIMS),
** Department of Biochemistry, Division of Analysis, Royal Thai Army Component, Armed Forces Research Institute
of Medical Sciences (RTA -AFRIMS), Bangkok 10400,
***
Department of Communicable Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000,
**** Department of Veterinary Medicine, USAMC-AFRIMS, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
AbstractThe number of reported cases of Leptospirosis in Thailand has grown since 1996. Identifi
cation of major reservoirs and endemic areas is essential in surveillance of Leptospira species in
Thailand. To assist in the effort of surveillance, a dipstick assay for detecting Leptospira antibodies
in mammals was adapted from a human diagnostic assay and tested in a field trial in Thailand. Anti
bodies to Leptospira were detected in 18 of 60 wild rodents. Four of 9 culture positive rodents
were positive by the dipstick assay. The proportion of sera positive for antibodies by dipstick was
correlated with positive culture outcome using McNemar test for correlated proportions (0.83, P>
0.05). The dipstick assay was effective in detecting antibodies to Leptospira in mammals and may
be useful in resource poor areas or under circumstances where the microagglutination test (MAT)
is not practical.
Keywords : Leptospirosis, Rodent, Rattus, Antibody, Mammal
All Articles
Download
