Serological and Molecular Techniques for the Diagnostic of Brucellosis

Amir Ullah,Fazal Mehmood Khan,Haroon Haroon,Muhammad Bilal,Muhammad Naveed,Mujeeb Ur Rahman

doi:10.32508/stdj.v22i4.1709

Abstract

Brucellosis is known as undulant fever or Malta fever, caused by the genus Brucella. It is the most common human zoonosis. The disease is worldwide distributed and causes significant economic losses. In animals, it causes abortion, reduction in milk production, and infertility. While brucellosis in humans is a debilitating disease with various clinical manifestations that may lead to death in some cases. Control of disease in animals needs proper diagnosis, permanent monitoring of brucellosis-free herds, and removal of infected animals. The current review will discuss the serological and molecular techniques daily used for the determination of brucellosis in animals and humans.

Highlights

Human Brucellosis is a significant zoonosis with a worldwide geographical distribution
polymerase chain reaction quantitative real-time (qRT) (PCR) techniques used for the detection of some Brucella abortus biovars, which differentiated between S19 and RB51 strain of B. abortus and allowed for vaccination against pathogenic strain 15
For the diagnosis of brucellosis serological test has been developed more than a century ago, but still, a comprehensive test has not been established

Summary

Introduction

Human Brucellosis is a significant zoonosis with a worldwide geographical distribution. The causative agents of brucellosis belong to the genus Brucella. Brucellosis mostly transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animal secretions, placentas, or aborted fetuses and by the consumption of unpasteurized milk and milk products. Brucellosis causes reduce fertility, stillbirth, late birth, and reduced milk production resulting in significant economic losses. It is challenging to diagnose brucellosis because signs and symptoms are almost similar to other infections; the causative agent usually grows very slowly in blood culture, and the serodiagnosis is complicated 2. Brucellosis can be diagnosed by using several serological tests using Brucella antibodies, but the gold standard remains isolation and identification of the bacterium. Brucella diagnosed by using a combination of tests to avoid false-negative results 3

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Conclusion