A comparison of counter-immunoelectrophoresis with the rose bengal and the serum tube agglutination tests in the diagnosis of brucellosis in sheep

Abstract

The counter-immunoelectrophoresis test (CIEPT) was compared with the rose bengal plate test (RBPT) and the serum agglutination test (SAT) in the diagnosis of brucellosis in 241 sheep. The total number of animals positive by one or more of the tests used was 106. Sixty animals were positive by all tests, while 87, 79 and 80 were positive by CIEPT, RBPT and SAT respectively. Based on the assumption that animals with an SAT titre of 40 I.U./ml or above were true positives, the CIEPT had a sensitivity of 82.5% and a specificity of 78.3% compared to 96.5% and 87% respectively, demonstrated by the RBPT. CIEPT might be used in flocks without clinical evidence of ram epididymitis if a test to supplement RBPT were required; but it would only partially replace SAT. Sera positive in RBPT but negative in CIEPT would have to be tested by SAT. With this combination, only about 22% of sera positive in RBPT would need to be further tested by SAT.