Comparative study: diagnostic value of traditional serology vs. PCR for the detection of asymptomatic brucellosis in workers in the meat production chain

Abstract

Brucellosis is a global infectious zoonotic disease, transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or humans and through consumption of unpasteurized food. Asymptomatic brucellosis occurs frequently, a public health problem that directs efforts to identify and treat carriers to prevent the spread of the disease. Traditional serology is usually used for diagnosis, this project aims to identify the best methodology to detect them, since in the context of the study, the subjects evaluated are potentially exposed to the main sources of infection. 106 samples were collected from workers from the cattle ranch to the butcher shops. The sample was evaluated for positivity using the Huddleson reaction, rose bengal, 2-mercaptoethanol, and ELISA, and compared against the PCR results. According to the PCR, it was observed that 48.11% of the workers in the meat production chain evaluated are asymptomatic carriers of Brucella spp. The Huddleson reaction overestimated the prevalence of Brucella spp. carriers by 3.8 %. Given its greater sensitivity and specificity with respect to the other methods, it is suggested to use the serological method of ELISA Brucella (Vircell^TM).