Leptospira DNA detection by PCRUrine

DESCRIPTION – leptospirosis is an infection caused by a waterborne spirochete of the genus Leptospira. Testing of blood, CSF, and urine may give an indication of the stage of infection

METHODOLOGY – polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

TURN AROUND TIME – 6 days

PATIENT PREPARATION –

COLLECT – serum separator tube or green (sodium heparin)

SPECIMEN PREPARATION – separate specimens from cells within 2 hours of collection and transfer 2 ml of serum to transport tube

STORAGE/TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE – refrigerated

STABILITY – ambient: 48 hours; refrigerated: 2 weeks; frozen: 1 year

UNACCEPTABLE CONDITION – any other fluid. Contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, severely lipemic specimens

MRP - 1500

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – clinical history is mandatory