The Laboratory Diagnosis of Chronic Brucellosis

SUMMARYAn enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the levels of brucella-specific IgG, IgM and Brucella ELISA immunoglobulins (Ig) were detected in some individuals in the control groups but the majority of these had titres of < 100 for IgG, IgM, and IgA. However, patients with brucellosis had significantly higher ELISA titres in all classes of Ig than controls but the sensitivity and specificity within each Ig class varied with the titre considered. At a titre of > 1600 the brucella IgG had a sensitivity and specificity of 98 % for patients with acute or chronic brucellosis; this decreased with lower reciprocal titres. The brucella IgM titre of > 400 had a sensitivity of 98 % and a specificity of 98 % for patients with acute brucellosis.However, in patients with chronic brucellosis the brucella IgM was very low. The brucella IgA titre of > 200 showed a sensitivity of 98 % and a specificity of 99 % for patients with either acute or chronic brucellosis. This study indicates that brucella ELISA is a rapid, sensitive and specific assay, provides a profile of Ig classes in the diagnosis of acute and chronic brucellosis, is useful for mass screening and could be considered the method of choice for the serological diagnosis of brucellosis.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of ELISA in the diagnosis of acute and chronic brucellosis in human beings

Araj

Lulu

Mustafa

et al. 1986

“…The method of Wilson & Merrifield (1951), as modified by Kerr, Coghlan, Payne & Robertson (1966b) was used. The antigen was the same as described above.…”

Section: Anti-human Globulin (Ahg) (Coombs) Testmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brucellosis in Northern Ireland. A serological survey

McDevitt

McCaughey

1969

SUMMARYA serological survey for brucella antibodies has been carried out in Northern Ireland in an attempt to assess the effects of the brucellosis eradication programme in cattle which has been in progress since 1959. One thousand eight hundred and ninety four sera from blood donors, from farmer's lung tests, and from various groups occupationally exposed to cattle were examined by the serum agglutination test, the anti-human globulin (A.H.G.) (Coombs) test and the complement-fixation test.The incidence of brucellosis in Northern Ireland is now less than it was 20 years ago, but is similar to that reported in a recent survey in England. It now appears that the principal method of transmission of brucellosis in the province is by occupational exposure rather than by drinking infected milk. Though it may be too early to make a serological assessment of the effects on human infections of brucellosis eradication in cattle, this survey provides a basis for future evaluation.We thank Prof. O. L. Wade, Prof. P. C. Elmes and Dr W. R. Kerr for their encouragement and helpful advice; the Medical Officers of Health in Antrim, Armagh, Down and Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone, and in Belfast and Londonderry County Borough for help in obtaining blood samples; Dr M. C. Huth of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, for sera; Dr D. W. R. Mackenzie and Miss H. E. Cairns for sera from the Mycology Diagnostic Laboratory; Dr J. H. Connolly for sera from the Virus Reference Laboratory, and for helpful advice; the farm workers and veterinary surgeons for volunteering blood samples; the technical staff of the Veterinary Research Laboratories for carrying out the tests.

“…The latter test measures IgG antibody (Heremans, Vaerman & Vaerman, 1963;Reddin, Anderson, Jenness & Spink, 1965); and, in the absence of agglutination, the Coombs test also measures IgG, together with IgA. The presence of IgG-type immunoglobulins has been thought to be the distinguishing feature of active human infection (Reddin et al 1965;Kerr, Coghlan, Payne & Robertson, 1966b;Macdonald & Elmslie, 1967).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An attempt is made to determine the epidemiological factors which lead to the development of high antibody titres amongst veterinary surgeons and the relationship between these factors, the antibody titres and the clinical diagnosis of active brucellosis. This was carried out by the method of Wilson & Merrifield (1951) as modified by Kerr et al (1966b …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relevance of the anti-human globulin (Coombs) test and the complement-fixation test in the diagnosis of brucellosis

McDevitt

1970

SUMMARYThe relationship between the serological findings for brucellosis and the epidemiological factors has been studied in veterinary surgeons in Northern Ireland. The anti-human globulin (Coombs) test and the complement-fixation test for brucella were used in two groups of veterinary surgeons, those self-employed and those employed by the Ministry of Agriculture.Significant serological differences were found to exist between the two groups. Those in private practice showed changes related to age, cattle skin rash, reactions to S. 19 vaccine accidents and symptoms suggestive of brucellosis in the past or the last year. But those working for the Ministry only showed titre changes related to the length of their private practice experience before joining the Ministry. In neither group was there a relationship between serological findings and the type of milk drunk or any particular group of symptoms suggestive of brucellosis.The findings indicate that high titres to brucella by the Coombs and complement-fixation test can occur in people repeatedly exposed to infection at work. Titres which would be of diagnostic importance in the rest of the population may be of little diagnostic significance even when they are as high as 160 Coombs and 128 complement fixation.