Application of anti-leptospira ELISA-lgM for the etiologic elucidation of meningitis

Abstract

Leptospirosis is one of the causes of meningitis, although its importance is not well known. In the present study we contributed to this knowledge by demonstrating specific IgM class anti-leptospira antibodies by the immunoenzymatic method ELISA in 14.6% of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 171 patients with meningitis considered to be of indeterminate etiology. The frequencies of positivity were similar in cases with predominance of polymorphonuclear or lymphomononuclear leucocytes in the CSF. Age distribution showed a predominance of the 5 to 15 year age range (72%), and sex distribution showed a predominance of males (68%). The authors discuss the contribution of this method to the etiologic elucidation of meningitis.

Leptospirosis

“…In patients with meningitis without a proven etiology, IgM was detected in the CSF in 15% (522). IgM has been detected in saliva (524), and a dot-ELISA using polyester fiber was developed to facilitate collection of saliva directly onto the support material (523).…”

Mild leptospirosis with three-year persistence of IgG- and IgM-antibodies, initially manifesting as carpal tunnel syndrome

“…10,12,16 Neurologic manifestations of leptospirosis include meningitis, encephalitis, coma, seizures, hemi-syndrome, myelitis, movement disorders, Bell's palsy, polyradiculitis, paraplegia, polyneuropathy, myositis, or rhabdomyolysis. 9,14,17 These could result from a direct effect of the spirochete or from the host's immune response. 9 Spirochetes can be cultured from the CSF during the first week of infection, 14,17,18 but usually disappear from CSF before meningitis manifests clinically.…”

“…9,14,17 These could result from a direct effect of the spirochete or from the host's immune response. 9 Spirochetes can be cultured from the CSF during the first week of infection, 14,17,18 but usually disappear from CSF before meningitis manifests clinically. 9 Asymptomatic pleocytosis develops within 1 or 2 days after onset of the infection and may be found during the non-icteric phase in up to 90% of the cases, 14 although only 25-50% may present with clinical CNS abnormalities.…”