​3 mL plain blood

Tube agglutination

​Serum tested using doubling dilutions from 1/20 to 1/320.

If the result is <1/20

The tube agglutination assay uses antigens derived from B. abortus and B. melitensis. Significant cross-reactivity exists for B. abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis but not to B. canis. This test cannot be used to detect antibodies to B. canis.

Negative serology in the context of suspected Brucellosis may occur if the infection is due to species other than B. abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis (such as B.canis) or in very early disease presentation where repeat testing in 2 weeks is recommended.

If the result is from 1/20 to >=1/320

A titre of >=1/160 in symptomatic patient have been generally been considered suggestive of active brucellosis. However, much lower titres have been reported for patients with active disease especially during the first stage of the infection, in chronic brucellosis, and in relapses.

However, positive results by Brucella serology are not necessarily diagnostic of acute infections, as antibodies may persist for months to years, in some patients, following exposure. A serological diagnosis of an acute infection requires a four-fold rise between the acute and convalescent sera taken at least 2 weeks apart.

The tube agglutination assay uses antigens derived from B. abortus and B. melitensis. Significant cross-reactivity exists for B. abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis and cannot be used for speciation. This test cannot be used to detect antibodies to B. canis.

False positive results may also occur with sera from patients infected with Francisella tularensis, Yersinia enterocolitica O:9, Escherichia hermannii, Escherichia coli O:157, Salmonella enterica serovar O:30, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Vibrio cholera O:1.

Correlations with clinical history and findings are required.

​Range 2 – 8 days

​Once/week