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Serology for brucellosis |
| Definition: |
| This is an analysis of blood to detect the presence of antibodies against Brucella (the bacteria that causes the disease brucellosis). |
| Alternative Names: |
| Brucella serology; Brucella antibody test or titer |
| How the test is performed: |
| Adult or child: Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to distend (fill with blood). A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding. Infant or young child: The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding. The blood is then analyzed in a laboratory. Serology refers to the study of serum for its antibody content. Certain microorganisms stimulate the body to produce these antibodies during an active infection. In the laboratory, the antibodies react with antigens in specific ways that can be used to confirm the identity of the specific microorganism. There are several serology techniques that can be used depending on the suspected antibodies. Serology techniques include agglutination, precipitation, complement-fixation, fluorescent antibodies, and others. For Brucella, the serum agglutination test (SAT) is the simplest and most widely used. |
| How to prepare for the test: |
| Adults: There is no special preparation. Infants and children: The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
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| How the test will feel: |
| When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. |
| Why the test is performed: |
| This test may be performed when brucellosis is suspected. |
| Normal Values: |
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No antibodies to Brucella is normal. However, during the first few days to weeks of exposure to an antigen, there may be slight antibody production. As the disease progresses, more antibodies will be present. If a disease is suspected, the test may need to be repeated 10 days to 2 weeks after the first test. A rise in titer is expected. Titers of greater than 1:80 suggest past infection, while titers of 1:160 or higher are suggestive of current infection. Cross-reaction to bacteria such as Yersinia, Francisella, and Vibrio, and immunizations can make the test falsely positive. |
| What abnormal results mean: |
| If antibodies are detected, there has likely been exposure to the Brucella bacteria (possible brucellosis). |
| What the risks are: |
| Special considerations: |
| A serology test can determine if a patient has ever been exposed to a particular antigen, but this does not necessarily indicate a current infection. Increasing antibody levels are more likely to indicate a current infection. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. |
Reviewed By: Camille Kotton, M.D., Infectious Diseases Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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