Comparison of a New and Rapid Method: Brucella Coombs Gel Test With Other Diagnostic Tests

Occupational Exposure Assessment and Seroprevalence of Brucella Specific Antibodies Among Veterinarians in the Northern Palestine

Background: Brucellosis is one of the most popular zoonosis in the world caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Brucella. The disease is considered an occupational risk to persons dealing with animals and animal products. Brucellosis is endemic in livestock in Palestine. Yet, few studies investigated human brucellosis in Palestine. We aimed to estimate Brucella seropositivity among veterinary healthcare professionals in Northern Palestine, and to assess the associated risk factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four governorates in the Northern West Bank (Jenin, Nablus, Qalqylia, and Tulkarm). A sample of 100 veterinarians was collected. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to assess risk factors. Blood samples were collected to be screened for the presence of anti-Brucella IgG using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Results: The seroprevalence of Brucellosis by ELISA was 76%. Risk factors included working in the public sector, dealing with animals' vaccination, longer period of exposure, and advancing in age.

Conclusions: Brucellosis is a high-risk occupational disease among veterinarians. Its prevalence rate among veterinary healthcare workers in the Northern West Bank, Palestine was very high compared to neighboring countries and internationally.

Evaluation of a New and Rapid Serologic Test for Detecting Brucellosis: Brucella Coombs Gel Test

BACKGROUND

Many serological tests have been used for the diagnosis of human brucellosis. A new serological method is identified as Brucella Coombs gel test based on the principle of centrifugation gel system similar to the gel system used in blood group determination. In this system, if Brucella antibodies were present in the serum, antigen and antibody would remain as a pink complex on the gel. Otherwise, the pink Brucella antigens would precipitate at the bottom of the gel card system.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to compare the Brucella Coombs gel test, a new, rapid screen and titration method for detection of non-agglutinating IgG with the Brucella Coombs test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this study, a total of 88 serum samples were obtained from 45 healthy persons and 43 individuals who had clinical signs and symptoms of brucellosis. For each specimen, Rose Bengal test, standard agglutination test, Coombs test and Brucella Coombs gel test were carried out.

RESULTS

Sensitivity and specificity of Brucella Coombs gel test were found as 100.0 and 82.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Brucella Coombs gel test can be used as a screening test with high sensitivity. By the help of pink Brucella antigen precipitation, the tests' evaluation is simple and objective. In addition, determination of Brucella antibody by rapid titration offers another important advantage.