Abstract
BackgroundBrucellosis is a world-wide extended zoonosis that causes a grave problem in developing economies. Animal vaccination and diagnosis are essential to control brucellosis, and the need for accurate but also simple and low-cost tests that can be implemented in low-infrastructure laboratories has been emphasized.MethodologyWe evaluated bovine, sheep, goat and swine lateral flow immunochromatography assay kits (LFA), the Rose Bengal test (RBT) and a well-validated protein G indirect ELISA (iELISA) using sera of Brucella culture-positive and unvaccinated brucellosis free livestock. Sera from cattle vaccinated with S19 and RB51 brucellosis vaccines were also tested. Finally, we compared RBT and LFA using sera of white Fulani cattle of unknown bacteriological status from a brucellosis endemic area of Nigeria.Results and conclusionsAlthough differences were not statistically significant, RBT showed the highest values for diagnostic sensitivity/specificity in cattle (LFA, 96.6/98.8; RBT, 98.9/100; and iELISA, 96.6/100) and the iELISA yielded highest values in sheep (LFA, 94.0/100; RBT, 92.0/100; iELISA, 100/100), goats (LFA, 95.7/96.2; RBT, 97.8/100; iELISA, 100/100) and pigs (LFA, 92.3/100; RBT, 92.3/100; iELISA, 100/100). Vaccine S19 administered subcutaneously interfered in all tests but conjunctival application minimized the problem. Although designed not to interfere in serodiagnosis, vaccine RB51 interfered in LFA and iELISA but not in the RBT. We found closely similar apparent prevalence results when testing the Nigerian Fulani cattle by RBT and LFA. Although both RBT and LFA (showing similar diagnostic performance) are suitable for small laboratories in resource-limited areas, RBT has the advantage that a single reagent is useful in all animal species. Considering these advantages, its low cost and that it is also useful for human brucellosis diagnosis, RBT might be a good choice for resource-limited laboratories.
Highlights
Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella
We present an evaluation of two simple tests, the lateral flow immunochromatography assay (LFA) and the Rose Bengal test (RBT), carried out with gold standard sera from cattle, sheep, goats and swine, in comparison with an indirect ELISA
Considering their diagnostic performance and simplicity, we conclude that both RBT and LFA are suitable for laboratories in resource-limited areas
Summary
Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Small ruminants and swine are the preferred hosts of B. abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis, respectively, and the disease causes abortions and infertility in these animals, all of which are the most common source of human brucellosis, a grave and debilitating disease. Brucellosis has a worldwide distribution and is consistently ranked among the most economically important zoonosis affecting developing economies [1]. Its control requires vaccination of domestic ruminants and a correct diagnosis but the lack of specific symptoms makes laboratory tests strictly necessary. Brucellosis is a world-wide extended zoonosis that causes a grave problem in developing economies. Animal vaccination and diagnosis are essential to control brucellosis, and the need for accurate and simple and low-cost tests that can be implemented in low-infrastructure laboratories has been emphasized
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