OVERVIEW
What is Leptospirosis?
A bacterial infection caused by Leptospira bacteria. It affects human & animals both. Its symptoms include severe headache, high fever, muscle aches, chills, vomiting, jaundice, diarrhea (loose motions) & abdominal pain. If this infection is left untreated it can lead to kidney damage, liver failure, meningitis (inflammation of brain & spinal cord membrane), & respiratory distress.
What is leptospiral IgG antibody lab test?
It is a blood test used for diagnosis/confirmation of leptospirosis. This test looks for IgG (immunoglobulin G ) antibody which is released after several week of infection & stays for a long-time in the body providing immunity.
Why leptospiral IgG antibody lab test is done?
The test is done:
- For diagnosis of leptospirosis
- When there is known exposure to contaminated water
- When person shows symptoms of leptospirosis mentioned above.
- Does leptospirosis have long-term effect?
It can lead to severe disease like kidney failure, jaundice, respiratory complications & bleeding.
- What treatment is given for leptospirosis?
It can be treated with antibiotics like doxycycline or penicillin taken very early in the course of disease.
- What are the signs to detect leptospirosis?
It begins with fever & then other symptoms like chills, headache, diarrhea, muscle ache & headache starts which is known as first phase of leptospirosis.
- What is incubation period of leptospirosis in humans?
It is of 5 to 14 days, with a range of 2 to 30 days.
- How is leptospirosis transmitted?
Leptospira bacteria can spread via urine of infected animals & goes into water or soil. Human will get infected if they come in contact with contaminated urine or other body fluids except for saliva; water & soil.
INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS:
- Positive: It means that leptospira IgG antibody is present and person has had exposure to leptospirosis. This means person contains immunity to the infection.
- Negative: It means that person doesn’t have leptospira IgG antibody & has not been infected with leptospirosis in the past. This makes the person prone to having leptospirosis infection.
You get tested for detecting/diagnosis of past or recent leptospirosis infection.