IgM ELISA for leptospirosis diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Main Authors: Maria Ines Rosa, Maria Fernandes dos Reis, Carla Simon, Eduardo Dondossola, Maria Cecília Alexandre, Tamy Colonetti, Fernanda Oliveira Meller
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associação Brasileira de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva
• Series: Ciência & Saúde Coletiva
• Subjects: Leptospirose humana; ELISA IgM; Diagnóstico; Meta-análise
• Online Access: http://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-81232017001204001&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed to estimate the accuracy of IgM ELISA for Leptospirosis diagnosis. A search of Medline, Lilacs, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Grey literature (Google Scholar and British Library) was conducted. The medical subject headings (MeSHs) and the words “leptospirosis”, “human leptospirosis” and “IgM ELISA” were used. Fifty-two studies were analyzed, which included 10,775 samples. The pooled sensitivity of all the studies was 86% (CI 95%, 85%-87%) and specificity was 90% (CI 95%, 89%-91%). In studies of the acute phase, the sensitivity and specificity were 84% (CI 95%, 82%-85%) and 91% (CI 95%, 90%-91%), respectively. In conclusion, IgM ELISA is sensitive for use as an initial screen for leptospiral infections.