Developing a Point-of-Care Diagnostic Assay for Leptospirosis

The objective of this study is to develop a robust, field deployable, and a cost effective rapid screening assay for the detection of Leptospirosis infection caused by Leptospira pathogens using human blood and sera. The test will utilize a lateral flow based immunochromatographic system (dipstick). The proposed assay would be very useful screening tool to assess leptospirosis infection in the fields, in remote areas, and on how complexity situation. Such a test would facilitate diagnosis and treatment for military personnel presenting febrile illness. A rapid assay would also help in Leptospirosis eradication programs. In this Phase I study we will develop/acquire antibody and antigen reagents for use in development of prototype Leptospirosis detection assays. We will then construct prototype assay that will be evaluated using archived samples from infected individuals. Further development of the assay would take place in a phase II proposal