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 time-consuming procedure. To evaluate the efficacy of Dot-ELISA for detecting brucellae in clinical samples, 94 different specimens taken from animal origin were cultured on brucella selective culture media and colonies were identified biochemically. The specimens were also examined after centrifugation by Dot-ELISA using a specific 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 sensitivity and specificity of Dot-ELISA for detection of brucellae in the samples was 80 and 100%, respectively. There was 98.9% agreement between the two tests. The results indicated that Dot-ELISA is a good and rapid test with acceptable sensitivity and specificity for detection of Brucella spp. in aborted fetal stomach contents.