Developing Real-Time PCR for Molecular Diagnosis of Leptospirosis in Indonesia (DETECSI)

Funder
Wellcome

Principal Investigator
Dr Suwarti

Duration
July 2019 – December 2022

 

 

The project aimed to set up validated molecular leptospirosis diagnosis using lipl32 and secY genes, for use in settings where availability of MAT is restricted.

Background

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals, and is one of the WHO-listed neglected tropical diseases. The incidence of leptospirosis in Southeast Asia is estimated at 12.5 cases in 100.000 per year with a mortality of severe leptospirosis estimated between 5-40%.

In Indonesia, leptospirosis is likely to be an underrecognized, underreported problem, because of the infection being clinically unapparent, misdiagnosed as dengue fever, typhoid fever or other endemic diseases, and because of the lack of laboratory capacity to perform confirmatory tests.

Laboratory analysis of leptospirosis is based on a serological gold standard, microscopic agglutinin test (MAT), which is only available in very few reference laboratories in Indonesia. Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia and the most densely populated province. During a heavy flood in January 2020, the Jakarta Health Agency reported an outbreak of more than 250 suspected leptospirosis cases.

Aims

We sought to investigate archived blood specimens from suspected leptospirosis cases from the leptospirosis surveillance program as well as hospitalised cases.

Outputs to date

A small bio-archive has been established of specimens of suspected leptospirosis cases from epidemiological surveillance and hospitalised cases. Laboratory analyses are currently ongoing.

An online public discussion on Leptospirosis held by DETECSI researcher and OUCRU PCE team using WhatsApp
PELAJARI SELENGKAPNYA

Related

UI

Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia

Jakarta Health Office

Jakarta Health Office

OUCRU

Jakarta Regional Health Laboratory

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