Efficacy of indirect haemolysis test in the diagnosis of human brucellosis.

Indirect haemolysis test (IHLT) was used for the serodiagnosis of human brucellosis. Results were compared with those of STAT, RBPT, and CFT. Out of 77 sera 8(10.38 per cent), 15(19.48 per cent), 11(14.28 per cent) and 16(20.77 per cent) were found positive by RBPT, STAT, CFT and IHLT, respectively. Unlike in CFT, the prozone phenomenon was not observed in IHLT. IHLT may prove an effective alternative to use of CFT in the serodiagnosis of brucellosis.

Detection of IgM and IgG antibodies against Brucella by dot-ELISA in humans.

Dot-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) with autoclaved extract of B. abortus S99 was used for the detection of Brucella antibodies in human sera. Results were compared with those of STAT, RBPT and CFT. Out of 80 sera 8(10 per cent), 15(18.7 per cent), 20(25 per cent) and 13(16.25 per cent) were found positive by RBPT, STAT, IgM dot-ELISA and IgG dot-ELISA respectively. Out of 74 sera samples tested with CFT 9(12.16 per cent) proved positive. The relative sensitivity and relative specificity in comparison with CFT was found to be 33.33 per cent, 96.92 percent for RBPT, 33.33 per cent and 84.61 per cent for STAT and 88.88 per cent and 76.92 per cent for dot-ELISA, respectively. The dot-ELISA was found to be a more sensitive, economical and a rapid test for screening of human brucellosis under field conditions.