Leptospira MAT (Microscopic Agglutination Test)
The Leptospira MAT is the reference antibody test for leptospirosis in dogs, cows and buffaloes. It checks serum against several types (serovars) of Leptospira, and a second sample a few weeks later is often needed to show a recent infection.
- Sample
- Serum
- Quantity
- As advised
- Report
- Confirmed when you book
- Collection
- Free in Bhopal
What this test checks
- Antibodies to Leptospira bacteria in serum, checked against several serovars (types)
- The titre for each serovar, shown as the highest dilution that still clumps
- A rise in titre between two samples taken a few weeks apart
Benefits of this test
- It is the reference antibody test that vets use to look for leptospirosis.
- Checks several types of Leptospira in one test.
- Paired samples can show whether an infection is recent.
- Can help investigate fever and jaundice in dogs, and abortion or milk drop in cows and buffaloes.
- Can be used with Leptospira PCR to cover both early and later stages of illness.
When your vet may advise it
- A dog with fever, vomiting, jaundice, or kidney or liver problems, especially after rains or floods.
- A dog that had contact with rats, stagnant water or wet soil and then fell sick.
- Cows or buffaloes with abortion, poor fertility or a sudden drop in milk.
- Calves with fever, weakness or red urine.
- A second sample a few weeks after the first, when your vet asks for paired testing.
- Herd checks after a leptospirosis case, as your vet advises.
About this test
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by Leptospira bacteria. Infected animals, especially rats, pass the bacteria in their urine, and the bacteria can survive in water and wet soil, so cases often rise in the rainy season and after floods. Dogs may get fever, vomiting, weakness, yellow eyes or gums (jaundice) and kidney or liver problems. Cows and buffaloes may have fever, a drop in milk, abortion or poor fertility, and young calves may pass red urine. Leptospirosis can pass to people, so wear gloves when handling sick animals, their urine or samples, wash your hands well and see a doctor if you feel unwell.
MAT stands for microscopic agglutination test. Agglutination means clumping. In the lab, the animal's serum is diluted step by step and mixed with live Leptospira of several serovars, which are types of the bacteria. If antibodies are present, the bacteria clump together, and this is seen under a special microscope. The result is reported as a titre, the highest dilution that still shows clumping, for each serovar tested. The MAT typically covers a set of serovars, and the exact list is confirmed when you book.
Antibodies take time to appear, so a sample taken early in the illness can be negative. For this reason vets often send paired samples: one now and a second a few weeks later. A clear rise in titre between the two supports a recent infection. Vaccinated dogs can also have antibodies, which makes a single result harder to read. In early illness your vet may add a Leptospira PCR on blood or urine. A registered veterinarian interprets the titres together with the animal's signs, vaccination history and other tests.
How to prepare
No fasting is usually needed; blood is taken into a plain tube for serum, and tell the vet about any leptospirosis vaccination so that paired samples can be planned if needed. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.
Reading the result
A registered veterinarian reads the titres with the animal's signs, vaccination history and other tests. A single high titre may suggest infection, but a rise between paired samples gives stronger evidence of recent infection. A negative early sample does not rule leptospirosis out, because antibodies take time to appear. Vaccination can also cause antibodies in dogs.
Questions about Lepto MAT
What is the MAT test for leptospirosis?
Why does my vet want two lepto MAT samples?
Can leptospirosis pass from animals to people?
Can I send a lepto MAT sample from outside Bhopal?
Before you book this test
Why this notice: so you know, before you book, how a test is done, what its limits are and who is responsible.
- Where it is tested. Some tests are done wholly or partly by an independent partner laboratory. The lab tells you before booking if this test is sent out, and the report names the laboratory that did it.
- What a result can and cannot tell you. No test is right every time. A normal result does not rule out every disease, and an abnormal result does not prove one. A registered veterinarian should read the report with the animal’s signs and history before any treatment is started, changed or stopped.
- The sample. A sample that is clotted, too small, wrongly labelled, leaking or too old may be rejected or reported with a note, and the lab may ask for a fresh one.
- Reporting time. Confirmed when you book. Times are estimates, not guarantees, and the lab confirms the time when you book.
- Emergencies. A booking or a pending report must not delay urgent care. If an animal has collapsed, struggles to breathe, has fits or bleeds heavily, call a veterinarian at once.
Please read our Terms of Service, Medical Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Refund and Cancellation Policy. Pashupatinath Vet Lab is operated by Duaji Healthcare and Tech Private Limited. This page is general information and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice.
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18 Oct 2026