Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In
Navigate Up

22384 Brucella Abortus Serology (SS02002)

Brucella Abortus Serology (SS02002)
Test Code: BRUCSO
Synonyms/Keywords
 Brucellosis, Undulant fever, B. abortus, Brucellosis Agglutinins
Test Components

Quantitative direct agglutination procedure for the detection of antibody to B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis.

Antibodies to Brucella canis, a rare cause of brucellosis, are not detected by this method.​

Useful For
To diagnose infection caused by B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis in individuals with possible exposure. Brucellosis in humans has an insidious or abrupt onset, and no pathognomonic symptoms or signs; for these reasons, a serological test may be preferred over isolation of the organism.​
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Serum​ ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​1 mL ​0.5 ml ​
Collection Processing Instructions

Store serum specimen at 2-8 degrees C and transport with cool pack. 

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum ​ ​Refrigerated ​7 days
​Frozen ​365 days
Rejection Criteria
Hemolyzed, lipemic, or heat-inactivated sera are not acceptable
Interference

​The assay does not detect antibodies to B. canis or other rough types, such as the vaccine strain B. abortus RB51. Serology results should be interpreted in combination with other clinical, laboratory, and epidemiologic findings. Cross-reactions may occur with Francisella tularensis, Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:9, Escherichia coli O:15, Afipia clevelandensis, and other antigenically related species.

Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene​ Set up weekly​ 2 to 8 days Microagglutination​
Reference Lab
Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene
Test Information

​Brucellosis is often related to occupational exposure. Serological results must be critically assessed along with clinical findings and occupational factors before a diagnosis is made.

Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene​ Negative. Titer and interpretation provided.​
Interpretation
Titer and interpretation. A single serum titer of >1:160 is suggestive of brucellosis when accompanied by a compatible clinical illness in a patient with potential exposure. A titer of up to 1:80 can be seen in a normal population. Testing of acute and convalescent specimens is recommended for the laboratory diagnosis of brucellosis, with the convalescent specimen collected at least 2 weeks after the acute. In the absence of bacteriologic confirmation, high or a four-fold or greater change in antibody titer is considered a presumptive diagnosis.​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​86622 ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
 Brucellosis, Undulant fever, B. abortus, Brucellosis Agglutinins
Test Components

Quantitative direct agglutination procedure for the detection of antibody to B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis.

Antibodies to Brucella canis, a rare cause of brucellosis, are not detected by this method.​

Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity Brucella Ab, IgG & IgM
​Cerner ​Brucella Abortus Serology (WSLH#2)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Serum​ ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​1 mL ​0.5 ml ​
Collection Processing

Store serum specimen at 2-8 degrees C and transport with cool pack. 

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum ​ ​Refrigerated ​7 days
​Frozen ​365 days
Rejection Criteria
Hemolyzed, lipemic, or heat-inactivated sera are not acceptable
Interference

​The assay does not detect antibodies to B. canis or other rough types, such as the vaccine strain B. abortus RB51. Serology results should be interpreted in combination with other clinical, laboratory, and epidemiologic findings. Cross-reactions may occur with Francisella tularensis, Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:9, Escherichia coli O:15, Afipia clevelandensis, and other antigenically related species.

Useful For
To diagnose infection caused by B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis in individuals with possible exposure. Brucellosis in humans has an insidious or abrupt onset, and no pathognomonic symptoms or signs; for these reasons, a serological test may be preferred over isolation of the organism.​
Test Components

Quantitative direct agglutination procedure for the detection of antibody to B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis.

Antibodies to Brucella canis, a rare cause of brucellosis, are not detected by this method.​

Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene​ Negative. Titer and interpretation provided.​
Interpretation
Titer and interpretation. A single serum titer of >1:160 is suggestive of brucellosis when accompanied by a compatible clinical illness in a patient with potential exposure. A titer of up to 1:80 can be seen in a normal population. Testing of acute and convalescent specimens is recommended for the laboratory diagnosis of brucellosis, with the convalescent specimen collected at least 2 weeks after the acute. In the absence of bacteriologic confirmation, high or a four-fold or greater change in antibody titer is considered a presumptive diagnosis.​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene​ Set up weekly​ 2 to 8 days Microagglutination​
Reference Lab
Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​86622 ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.