title: [Lepto-dipstick: results of its application to the fast diagnosis of human leptospirosis].
abstract: Forty one serum specimens from critical patients who were suspected of having human leptospirosis were studied by using simultaneously convencional test Lepto-dipstick and serogroup microagglutination test (MAT) with live antigens. Different reactivity levels were reached in 26 tested samples by Lepto-dipstick. This assay and MAT coincided in 85,4% of results. It was confirmed that Lepto-dipstick detects antibodies to various leptospiral serovars and that the degree of intensity of the band staining corresponded with the level of detected antibodies by MAT. The implementation of Lepto-dipstick in the diagnosis of human leptospirosis allows providing a rapid response to the medical staff in charge of the studied cases. This proved that Lepto-dipstick is a rapid method that is easy-to-read and interpret.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kouri" (IPK), Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba. islay@ipk.sld.cu
authors.forename: Islay
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Llerena
authors.forename: Berta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Victoria
authors.forename: José E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Obregón
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests; D006801:Humans; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011934:Reagent Strips; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011934:Reagent Strips