Comparison of Dot-ELISA with microbial culture for detection of Brucella spp. in clinical specimens

Definitive diagnosis of brucellosis is made by isolation of the causative agents, which is a timeconsumingprocedure. To evaluate the efficacy of Dot-ELISA for detecting brucellae in clinical samples, 94different specimens taken from animal origin were cultured on brucella selective culture media and colonieswere identified biochemically. The specimens were also examined after centrifugation by Dot-ELISA using aspecific anti-brucella antibody, a suitable peroxidase conjugate and substrate. Of the 94 samples, 5 (5.31%)were positive in Dot-ELISA and 4 (4.25%) had positive cultures. In comparison with culture, the sensitivityand specificity of Dot-ELISA for detection of brucellae in the samples was 80 and 100%, respectively. Therewas 98.9% agreement between the two tests. The results indicated that Dot-ELISA is a good and rapid testwith acceptable sensitivity and specificity for detection of Brucella spp. in aborted fetal stomach contents.