Lack of correlation of Brucella antibody titers with clinical outcomes and culture positivity of brucellosis

Abstract Background Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp., namely B. melitensis and abortus in humans. Culturing the gold standard method for diagnosis; however, because slow-growing bacterium, which may delay diagnosis, other faster methods, such as serology, are used. Studies on correlation between antibody titers clinical outcomes limited. Therefore, this study assessed evaluated baseline serological results with culture positivity picture. Methods Patients tested positive antibodies at diagnosed brucellosis January 2008 December 2018 were included. Collected data included outcomes, (growth culture), arthralgia, end of therapy (EOT) temperature, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Results Of 695 patients antibodies, only 94 had serology acute brucellosis, among whom 63 EOT serology. No significant correlations found both spp. cure, mortality, length stay, duration therapy. Additionally, no positivity, lab values. Conclusion does not correlate nor baseline. healthcare providers advised to consider whole picture patient without relying solely during follow up replace culturing testing alone time diagnosis.