Evaluation of Mycobacterium leprae particle agglutination test, using eluates of filter paper blood spots.

A comparison of the ELISA test with the newly-developed MLPA test was carried out, using eluates of blood spots from filter paper for the detection of the anti-PGL-I antibody. A very good positive correlation was observed between these two tests. The concordance rate was found to be 92.6%, ranging from 71.4% to 100%. This nonconcordance was not found when freshly-collected samples were used. The MLPA test is simple and reliable. The use of eluates from blood spots collected on filter paper further simplifies the test in the collection and transportation of blood samples. This accurate and rapid method makes the MLPA test logistically feasible for large-scale screening. With our modification of MLPA with eluates more samples can be screened with the kit than with sera.