Brucella Total Antibody Confirmation, Agglutination, Serum
Use
Diagnosis of brucellosis. Brucella species are facultative intracellular, gram-negative bacilli that cause brucellosis in humans, typically acquired by contact with infected animals or ingestion of contaminated meat/milk. Signs include fever, night sweats, chills, weakness, malaise, headache, and anorexia. Diagnosis is made via culture of bone marrow, blood, fluid, or tissue specimens, aided by serology. Antibodies appear 1 to 2 weeks post onset, and CDC recommends confirmation with Brucella-specific agglutination after positive or equivocal IgG/IgM EIA tests.
Special Instructions
Ensure to complete the Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) if not ordering electronically. Use Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914) for collection. Correct submission into a plastic vial post-centrifugation is crucial to avoid rejection due to gross hemolysis or lipemia.
Limitations
The tube agglutination assay uses antigen from Brucella abortus, possibly yielding false negatives for other species (e.g., B. canis). Positive serology is not definitive for acute infection due to antibody persistence. Routine serology cannot detect RB51 strain used in US animal vaccination. Culture remains the definitive method for confirming acute infection.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Agglutination)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 19053-8
Result Turnaround Time
2-7 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Container
Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis; Gross lipemia; Gross icterus is acceptable.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |