Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

BRUC
8077
BRUCB
87345
brucellosis shows a predominance of IgG-class antibodies with little or no detectable IgM. Rising levels
of specific antibody in paired sera can be regarded as serological evidence of recent infection. The
presence of specific IgM in a single specimen may also indicate a recent infection, although IgM-class
antibodies may persist for months following acute disease. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recommends that specimens testing positive for IgG or IgM by enzyme-linked
immunosorbant assay (ELISA) be confirmed by a Brucella-specific agglutination method.(2) The
CDC/Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists case definition for human brucellosis states that the
laboratory criteria for diagnosis includes 1) Isolation of Brucella species from a clinical specimen, 2)
Four-fold or greater rise in Brucella agglutination titer between acute- and convalescent-phase serum
specimens obtained >2 weeks apart and studied at the same laboratory, or 3) Demonstration by
immunofluorescence of Brucella species in a clinical specimen. Positive results by ELISA that are not
confirmed by Brucella-specific agglutination may represent false-positive screening results. If clinically
indicated, a new specimen should be tested after 7 to 14 days. If results of ELISA are negative and a
recent infection is suspected, a new specimen should be tested after 7 to 14 days.
Reference Values:
IgG SCREEN
Negative (reported as positive, negative, or equivocal)
IgM SCREEN
Negative (reported as positive, negative, or equivocal)
Clinical References: 1. Corbel MJ: Brucellosis: an overview. Emerg Infect Dis 1997;3:213-221 2.
Public health consequences of a false-positive laboratory test result for Brucella--Florida, Georgia, and
Michigan, 2005, MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep June 6;2008/57(22);603-605 3. Araj GF, Lulu AR,
Saadah MA, et al: Rapid diagnosis of central nervous system brucellosis by ELISA. J Neuroimmunol
1986;12:173-182
Brucella Culture
Clinical Information: Brucella are facultative intracellular gram negative staining bacilli capable of
producing the disease "brucellosis" in humans. Human disease likely is acquired by contact with animals
infected with the organism (Brucella abortus, Brucella suis, Brucella melitensis, and occasionally Brucella
canis) either by direct contact or by ingestion of meat or milk. The signs and symptoms associated with
brucellosis may include fever, night sweats, chills, weakness, malaise, headache, and anorexia. The
physical examination may reveal lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. A definitive diagnosis of
brucellosis is made by recovering the organism from blood, fluid (including urine), or tissue specimens.
Useful For: Diagnosis of brucellosis
Interpretation: Isolation of a Brucella species indicates infection. Cultures of blood and/or bone
marrow are positive in 70% to 90% of acute Brucella infections, but much less so in subacute or chronic
infections. In these latter instances, culture yield is highest from the specific tissue involved, or serology
may be necessary to establish diagnosis
Reference Values:
Negative (reported as positive or negative)
Clinical References: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles
and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 4th edition. New York, Churchill Livingstone, 1995, pp 2053-2060
Brucella Culture, Blood
Clinical Information: Brucella are facultative intracellular gram negative staining bacilli capable of
producing the disease "brucellosis" in humans. Human disease likely is acquired by contact with animals
infected with the organism (Brucella abortus, Brucella suis, Brucella melitensis, and occasionally Brucella
canis) either by direct contact or by ingestion of meat or milk. The signs and symptoms associated with
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