Leptospira Reference Unit: Samples and Testing Policy

The LRU is the national reference centre for the diagnosis of Leptospirosis for the United Kingdom. The diagnostic service offered employs an ELISA IgM screening test with confirmatory testing by MAT. The reference service includes subsequent confirmatory serology testing, isolation of leptospires from blood or CSF and examination of tissues by immunofluorescence.

A minimum volume of 250µl of serum is required.

LRU accepts the following specimens for reference purposes which are processed free of charge:

• Blood cultures, CSF for isolation, tissue samples from patients with suspected leptospirosis
• Follow up serum specimens from confirmed cases of leptospirosis for identification of infecting serogroup and for epidemiological monitoring

LRU accepts the following specimens which will be processed at a charge:

• Serum or CSF specimens referred for primary screening
• All specimens sent from private laboratories
• All specimens sent from outside England and Wales

Turnaround Times (TaT):
• Serum specimens are tested twice weekly with a TaT of 7 days
• Samples received for isolation: TaT 6 weeks
• Tissue samples: TaT 7 days

A completed LRU request form, including senders’ laboratory name and address, should accompany all samples. Leptospirosis Request Form (PDF, 688 KB)

The LRU may be contacted by telephone (01432 277707) or email leptospira.lru@hhtr.nhs.uk

Last reviewed: 17 November 2010