Identification of Leptospira Serovar in Leptospirosis Suspect Serum in Manggala Subdistrict, Makassar City

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis or also commonly called Weil disease is an acute infectious disease that can attack humans and animals and is classified as a zoonotic disease. Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira found in rodents. The difficulty of the diagnosis process causes the case of leptospirosis less reported and is one of the neglected infectious diseases. Patient findings are often not optimal because of underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis.
AIM: This study aims to determine the presence of Leptospira serovar bacteria in blood serum of leptospirosis suspect using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) method.
METHODS: This study is a descriptive observational using accidental sampling technique. Sample collection was performed in the Antang Community Health Center, Batua Health Center, and Bangkala Health Center in Manggala District.
RESULTS: This study found that there were 31 serum samples. Results of MAT examination on blood serum yielded 11 positive samples of Leptospira (37%) with serovar Hebdomadis, Djasiman, Mini, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Bangkingan, and Bataviae.
CONCLUSIONS: The presence of Leptospira bacteria in blood serum of suspected individuals using the MAT method obtained 11 samples of positive blood serum. Special counseling activities are required about leptospirosis and diagnosis enforcement in the community or workers who experience symptoms or leptospirosis suspect.