[Comparison of the serological tests used for the laboratory diagnosis of brucellosis]

Abstract

Brucellosis which is an important public health problem is a zoonotic disease that causes economic loss, and seen all over the world as well as in our country. The aim of this study was to compare the results of Rose Bengal test, standard tube agglutination test (STA), Coombs tube agglutination test, Rivanol tube agglutination test and ELISA (IgA, IgG and IgM) method, in patients who were suspected to have brucellosis. Blood and serum samples collected from 77 patients were included to the study. Blood cultures were performed from all of the patients and Brucella spp were isolated in 35 (45.4%) of them. At least one of the serological tests for Brucella was found positive in 62 samples (80.5%). When culture positivity accepted as the gold standard, the sensitivities of the tests were calculated as follows; 100% for Rose Bengal, 94.3% for STA, 97.1% for ELISA IgG, 94.3 for ELISA IgA and 71.4 for ELISA IgM. No prezone phenomenon was observed in the samples. Brucella Coombs tube agglutination test did not increase the chance of diagnosis of brucellosis, unlike the results of previous studies. We found that Rose Bengal and STA tests were still efficient methods for brucellosis serodiagnosis. The results of rivanol tube agglutination test were similar to STA test, and this test can be used especially in patients with brucellosis relapse. ELISA test detecting IgA and IgG antibody titers together found to be effective methods increasing the chance of brucellosis diagnosis, and could be helpful for follow up of brucellosis.