avian & livestock assay data sheet

Brucella

Test code: B0075 - Ultrasensitive detection of Brucella bacteria by real time PCR. This assay detects but does not differentiate Brucella abortus, B. microti, B. melitensis, B. pinnipedialis, B. suis, B. canis, B. ovis and B. neotomae.

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella.  Various Brucella species have been shown to infect sheep, goats, cattle, deer, elk, pigs, dogs, and several other animal species. Humans can become infected when they contact these infected animals or their products.

In humans, brucellosis can cause a range of symptoms similar to influenza, and may include fever, sweats, headaches, back pains, and physical weakness. Severe infections of the central nervous system or lining of the heart may occur. Brucellosis can also cause long-lasting or chronic symptoms that include recurrent fevers, joint pain and fatigue.

Although brucellosis is not common in United States, it frequently occurs in countries that have poor animal disease control programs. Travel to these countries can result in infection with these bacteria. Humans are usually infected by eating or drinking something that is contaminated with the bacteria, by inhaling the bacteria, or by exposure of wounds to these bacteria. Occupational exposure is one of the major routes for human infection. The chronic nature of the disease means that infected people or animals can become carriers of the bacteria.

Diagnosis of brucellosis has routinely been by culture detection of the bacteria, but culture has very low sensitivity and so is less useful for subacute and chronic carriers. Molecular detection by PCR, on the other hand, can provide rapid, sensitive and specific identification of these bacteria in a sample (Mitka et al., 2007).

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Identify Brucella carriers
• Ensure that herds and other animal populations are free of Brucella
• Early prevention of spread of these bacteria among animals
• Minimize human exposure to these bacteria
• Safety monitoring of biological products that derive from susceptible animals

References:
Mitka, S., Anetakis, C., Souliou, E., Diza, E. and Kansouzidou, A. (2007). Evaluation of Different PCR Assays for Early Detection of Acute and Relapsing Brucellosis in Humans in Comparison with Conventional Methods. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45: 1211-1218

Specimen requirements: 0.5 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) or ACD (yellow top) tube, or 0.5 ml milk

For specimen types other than those listed here, please call to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected