Comparison of darkground microscopy with serological tests in the diagnosis of leptospirosis with hepatorenal involvement--A preliminary study.

Darkground Microscopy (DGM) was initially done on Plasma in the Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal for 44 cases of suspected Leptospiral hepatorenal involvement. A total of 60 sera were collected from these patients and stored at -70 degrees C. Passiive haemagglutination test (PHA) was performed on 25 sera and latex agglutination test on 35 sera (Leptospira antigen Seiken) Leptospira was detected by Darkground Microscopy in 12 patients (27.27%). Serology was positive in 16 samples (36.36%) of which 7 (15.90%) by PHA and 9 by Latex agglutination (20.45%). Serological tests confirmed the findings of Darkground Microscopy. DGM was found to be simple and rapid and could be performed on all suspected patients.