Leptospira Test (Microscopic Agglutination Test)

The Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is a top-notch blood test used to diagnose leptospirosis, a disease caused by Leptospira bacteria. This test is especially important for people at high risk, like those affected by floods. MAT checks for specific antibodies in a patient's blood to identify the exact type of Leptospira bacteria causing the infection and to provide useful information for public health studies.

Here's how it works: live cultures of different Leptospira bacteria types are prepared and then mixed with the patient's blood sample. When viewed under a dark-field microscope, if clumping (agglutination) is seen, it means the test is positive, indicating the patient has been exposed to Leptospira. The MAT is very accurate and reliable, making it a crucial tool for diagnosing leptospirosis and understanding its spread.