Evaluation of anti-LipL32 carbon nanotube immunofluorescence probe (carbo-lip) and comparison with MAT, IgM ELISA, IgM spot test and culture for early detection of leptospirosis at local hospital

Leptospirosis is an emerging public health problem affecting people mainly from tropical and subtropical regions. Therefore, there is a need for rapid and sensitive tests for proper and prompt treatment. Recently we have demonstrated Carbo-Lip probe, which was fabricated through immuno recognition method with fluorescent dye functionalized LipL32 monoclonal antibodies, secondary antibody and Leptospira for rapid and accurate diagnosis. In an effort to validate Carbo-Lip, we collected clinical samples from a cohort of 104, consisting of 26 positive, 40 negative and 38 unconfirmed cases of Leptospirosis. Subsequently, the test was also compared and validated with the gold standard method microscopic agglutination test (MAT), IgM ELISA, IgM spot test, and culture. Carbo-Lip exhibited a sensitivity of 75% with specificity of 92.3% for Leptospirosis in comparison with MAT. The fabricated Carbo-Lip sensor could be used as a potential diagnostic tool for early detection of Leptospirosis in patients from endemic areas.