Surreal illustration of a tropical landscape with glowing bacteria, symbolizing rapid leptospirosis testing.

Leptospirosis Rapid Tests: Are They Accurate Enough for Early Detection?

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into the diagnostic accuracy of rapid tests for leptospirosis, helping you understand their role in early diagnosis and treatment."

Leptospirosis, a disease caused by Leptospira bacteria, is a widespread health concern, especially in tropical regions like Malaysia. Often mistaken for other febrile illnesses due to similar symptoms, early and accurate diagnosis is critical for effective treatment and better patient outcomes. Imagine the peace of mind that comes with a quick and reliable test, guiding timely medical intervention.

Traditional methods for diagnosing leptospirosis, such as the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), are time-consuming and require specialized laboratory facilities. This poses a significant challenge in many healthcare settings where rapid decision-making is essential. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) offer a promising alternative, providing quick results and ease of use at the point of care.

This article delves into the diagnostic accuracy of two rapid diagnostic tests—Leptocheck-WB and ImmuneMed Leptospira IgM Duo Rapid test—for the early detection of leptospirosis. By comparing these tests against the gold standard MAT and PCR methods, we aim to provide a clear understanding of their strengths and limitations in a real-world hospital setting. Discover which test offers the most reliable results for early screening and treatment.

What Makes a Good Leptospirosis Rapid Diagnostic Test?

Surreal illustration of a tropical landscape with glowing bacteria, symbolizing rapid leptospirosis testing.

When evaluating rapid diagnostic tests for leptospirosis, several key factors come into play. These include:

The study compared two commercially available rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs): Leptocheck-WB (Zephyr Biomedicals, India) and ImmuneMed Leptospira IgM Duo Rapid test (ImmuneMed Inc., Republic of Korea). These tests were evaluated against MAT and PCR, the standard diagnostic methods, to determine their effectiveness in a hospital setting.

Accuracy: Sensitivity (the ability to correctly identify those with the disease) and specificity (the ability to correctly identify those without the disease) are crucial.
Speed: Rapid results are essential for timely treatment decisions.
Ease of Use: The test should be simple to perform and interpret, even in resource-limited settings.
Cost-Effectiveness: The test should be affordable for widespread use.
Local Relevance: The test should be effective against the locally prevalent Leptospira strains.

Fifty patients clinically suspected of having acute leptospirosis were sampled. Six (12%) were confirmed by MAT and thirteen (26%) by PCR. Similarly, of the 50 clinically suspected cases, seventeen (34%) showed positivity for Leptocheck-WB and seven (14%) for ImmuneMed Leptospira IgM Duo Rapid test.

Choosing the Right Test for Your Setting

In summary, the choice of rapid diagnostic test for leptospirosis depends on the specific needs and resources of the healthcare setting. While Leptocheck-WB showed higher sensitivity in this study, it’s essential to consider the specificity and potential for false positives. As diagnostic tools continue to evolve, a combination of accurate testing and clinical judgment will remain key to combating leptospirosis effectively. Development of RDTs with antigen and antibody detection are strongly recommended.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jiph.2018.10.137, Alternate LINK

Title: Diagnostic Accuracy Of Rapid Diagnostic Tests For The Early Detection Of Leptospirosis

Subject: Infectious Diseases

Journal: Journal of Infection and Public Health

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Siti N. Alia, Narcisse Joseph, Noraini Philip, Nurul N. Azhari, Bashiru Garba, Siti N. Masri, Zamberi Sekawi, Vasantha K. Neela

Published: 2019-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is leptospirosis, and why is early diagnosis important in managing this disease?

Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria, and early diagnosis is crucial because its symptoms often mimic other illnesses. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) offer a quicker alternative to traditional methods like the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), enabling faster treatment decisions. However, the effectiveness of these tests depends on factors like accuracy, speed, ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and local relevance to specific Leptospira strains.

What are the key considerations when choosing a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for leptospirosis in a hospital setting?

When choosing a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for leptospirosis, consider sensitivity (ability to correctly identify those with the disease), specificity (ability to correctly identify those without the disease), speed of results, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. The RDT's effectiveness against local Leptospira strains is also crucial. In a hospital setting, the specific needs and resources of the healthcare facility should guide the choice.

How were the Leptocheck-WB and ImmuneMed Leptospira IgM Duo Rapid tests evaluated, and what were the initial findings regarding their performance against Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?

The study evaluated two commercially available rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs): Leptocheck-WB and ImmuneMed Leptospira IgM Duo Rapid test, comparing them against the gold standard methods, Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Out of 50 clinically suspected cases, 12% were confirmed by MAT and 26% by PCR. Seventeen (34%) showed positivity for Leptocheck-WB and seven (14%) for ImmuneMed Leptospira IgM Duo Rapid test.

What are the implications of Leptocheck-WB showing higher sensitivity in the study, and how should this influence the interpretation of its results in diagnosing leptospirosis?

Leptocheck-WB demonstrated higher sensitivity in the study, implying a greater capability to correctly identify leptospirosis cases. However, it's important to consider the specificity of Leptocheck-WB and the possibility of false positives. The ImmuneMed Leptospira IgM Duo Rapid test showed lower positivity in comparison. Therefore, interpreting results with clinical judgment is vital for accurate diagnosis and treatment of leptospirosis.

What improvements in rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are recommended for leptospirosis, and how does context influence the effectiveness and interpretation of RDT results?

The study suggests that developing Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) that can detect both antigens and antibodies would improve leptospirosis detection. The effectiveness of a leptospirosis RDT depends on the context and the available resources. While RDTs offer quick results, it is important to balance speed with accuracy, especially in settings where false positives could lead to unnecessary treatment or where missing a true case could have severe consequences.