Product Center

Leptospira Medium Base EMJH is used with Leptospira Enrichment EMJH in cultivating Leptospira.

In 1816, Adolf Weil described the first recognized leptospiral infections in humans.¹ These cases were caused by Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae and the disease was subsequently named Weil's Disease.¹ Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, having its reservoir in wild, domestic, and peridomestic animals. Infection usually results from direct or indirect exposure to the urine of leptospiruric animals.²

Indirect exposure through contaminated water and soil accounts for most sporadic cases. Direct exposure occurs in pet owners, veterinarians and persons working with livestock.³

The basal medium and enrichment are prepared according to the formulations described by Ellinghausen and McCullough⁴ as modified by Johnson and Harris.⁵ They modified the formula by replacing rabbit serum medium with polysorbate 80-albumin. Leptospira Medium EMJH was used in cultivation studies of Leptospira.⁶

Leptospira Medium EMJH is recommended for the clinical isolation of Leptospira.^7,8

1. Examine bottles for signs of deterioration.

2. Prepare the complete Leptospira Medium EMJH per label directions. Check performance by inoculating a representative sample of bottles with pure cultures of stable control organisms that give known, desired reactions. The test strains listed below are recommended.

3. Inoculate tubes with 1 drop of an undiluted Leptospira culture. Incubate at 30 ± 2°C for up to 7 days.

Final pH 7.5 ± 0.2

*Adjusted and /or supplemented as required to meet performance criteria.

Leptospira Enrichment EMJH

A solution of albumin, polysorbate 80 and additional growth factors for Leptospira.

For Laboratory Use

Follow proper established laboratory procedures in handling and disposing of infectious materials.