The Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University has brought out a quick, inexpensive, and easy-to-use leptospirosis test strip kit to help lower the risk of disability from internal organ failure and death, with the hopes of distributing them to community hospitals across the country.
Leptospirosis is a danger that comes with the rainy season. Initial symptoms are not specific. It can be similar to other infectious diseases, such as dengue fever and influenza, causing infected people to be misdiagnosed. Normally, diagnosis is done with expensive equipment and generally takes one or two weeks to know the result. As a consequence, leptospirosis is not treated properly or timely and may cause severe symptoms, and risk of internal organ failure and death.
A research team led by Assoc. Prof. Kanittha Pattarakul, M.D., Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University has developed an innovative lateral flow strip test for leptospirosis screening that is quick and easy to use so that patients can be diagnosed and treated properly to avoid life-threatening dangers. exchange program in thai
Leptospirosis – a serious threat that comes from water and the animals around you
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanittha Pattarakul “leptospirosis is a serious threat during the rainy season. Most people tend to think that leptospirosis is carried only by ‘rats’ and found only in fields or flooded areas. The disease is transmitted from animals to humans and caused by ‘leptospira’ bacteria which is found in the kidneys of a wide variety of animal reservoirs such as rats, pigs, goats, sheep, cattle, buffaloes, dogs, and cats. These animals may or may not show signs of illness, but can spread the disease through their urine that contaminates the water and soil. The bacteria can live for months in wetland or waterlogged areas such as puddles, ditches, waterfalls, rivers, canals.”
To prevent infection, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanittha recommends starting with keeping the house clean and avoid walking barefoot or soaking feet in stagnant water, because bacteria may enter the body through pruney skin from prolonged soaking, wounds, and even scratches on the skin. If it is unavoidable, or for those who have to work in stagnant water, protective footwear, such as ankle boots should be worn. If it is necessary to come into contact with these animals, protective equipment such as gloves should be used. Moreover, leptospira bacteria can also enter the body through the conjunctiva or the mouth when coming into contact with contaminated water like swimming, or drinking. So good hygiene is very important.
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