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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDoctors usually confirm a diagnosis of brucellosis by testing a sample of blood or bone marrow for the brucella bacteria or by testing blood for antibodies to the bacteria. Several different tests can be used. All have drawbacks, such as a lengthy wait for results or the chance of a false result. A test called polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which looks for the genetic material of the brucella bacteria, is quick and can be performed on any type of tissue. But PCR is not yet widely used for brucellosis.
To help detect complications of brucellosis, you may have additional tests, including:
- X-rays. X-rays can reveal changes in your bones and joints.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These imaging tests help identify inflammation or abscesses in the brain or other tissues.
- Cerebrospinal fluid culture. This checks a small sample of the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord for infections such as meningitis and encephalitis.
- Echocardiography. This test uses sound waves to create images of your heart to check for signs of infection or damage to your heart.
- Brucellosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/Brucellosis_g.htm. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Everett ED. Microbiology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of Brucella. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
- Everett ED. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of brucellosis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
- Franco MP, et al. Human brucellosis. Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2007;7:775.
- Purwar S. Human brucellosis: A burden of a half-million cases per year. Southern Medical Journal. 2007;100:1074.
- Brucellosis. New York State Department of Health. http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/brucellosis/fact_sheet.htm. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Brucellosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases: Division of Bacterial Diseases. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/Brcellosis_t.htm. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Pappas G. Treatment of brucellosis: Regimens containing aminoglycosides are most effective but difficult to implement in practice. BMJ. 2008;336:678.
- Hashmi S, et al. Rare red rash. American Journal of Medicine. 2008;121:862.
- Skalsky K, et al. Treatment of human brucellosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. In press. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Laboratory-acquired brucellosis - Indiana and Minnesota, 2006. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2008;57:39Hashmi S, et al. Rare red rash. American Journal of Medicine. 2008;121:862.
- Everett ED. Brucellosis in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
- Donch DA, et al. Status report - fiscal year 2007, Cooperative State-Federal Brucellosis Eradication Program. USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/brucellosis/downloads/yearly_rpt.pdf. Accessed Nov. 19, 2008.
- Vaccine use following brucellosis and pseudorabies eradication. Center for Veterinary Biologics. www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/vet_biologics/publications/USAHA_CVB_2007_Handouts.pdf. Accessed Nov. 19, 2008.
