Shahad A Alsubaie1, Shouq A Turkistani1, Alanoud A Zeaiter1, Abrar K Thabit2. 1. Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, 7027 Abdullah Al-Sulaiman Rd, Jeddah, 22254-2265, Saudi Arabia. 2. Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, 7027 Abdullah Al-Sulaiman Rd, Jeddah, 22254-2265, Saudi Arabia. akthabit@kau.edu.sa.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp., namely B. melitensis and B. abortus in humans. Culturing is the gold standard method for diagnosis; however, because Brucella is a slow-growing bacterium, which may delay diagnosis, other faster methods, such as serology, are used. Studies on the correlation between Brucella antibody titers and clinical outcomes are limited. Therefore, this study assessed such correlation and evaluated the correlation between baseline serological results with culture positivity and clinical picture. METHODS: Patients tested positive for Brucella antibodies at baseline and diagnosed with brucellosis between January 2008 and December 2018 were included. Collected data included clinical outcomes, baseline culture positivity (growth in culture), arthralgia, baseline and end of therapy (EOT) temperature, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. RESULTS: Of 695 patients tested for Brucella antibodies, only 94 had positive baseline serology and diagnosed with acute brucellosis, among whom 63 had EOT serology. No significant correlations were found between EOT antibody titers of both Brucella spp. and clinical cure, mortality, length of stay, and duration of therapy. Additionally, no correlations were found between baseline serology and culture positivity, arthralgia, temperature, and other lab values. CONCLUSION: Brucella serology does not correlate with clinical outcomes at EOT nor with culture positivity at baseline. Therefore, healthcare providers are advised to consider the whole clinical picture of a brucellosis patient without relying solely on serological results during follow up and not replace culturing with serology testing alone at the time of diagnosis.
BACKGROUND:Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucellaspp., namely B. melitensis and B. abortus in humans. Culturing is the gold standard method for diagnosis; however, because Brucella is a slow-growing bacterium, which may delay diagnosis, other faster methods, such as serology, are used. Studies on the correlation between Brucella antibody titers and clinical outcomes are limited. Therefore, this study assessed such correlation and evaluated the correlation between baseline serological results with culture positivity and clinical picture. METHODS:Patients tested positive for Brucella antibodies at baseline and diagnosed with brucellosis between January 2008 and December 2018 were included. Collected data included clinical outcomes, baseline culture positivity (growth in culture), arthralgia, baseline and end of therapy (EOT) temperature, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. RESULTS: Of 695 patients tested for Brucella antibodies, only 94 had positive baseline serology and diagnosed with acute brucellosis, among whom 63 had EOT serology. No significant correlations were found between EOT antibody titers of both Brucellaspp. and clinical cure, mortality, length of stay, and duration of therapy. Additionally, no correlations were found between baseline serology and culture positivity, arthralgia, temperature, and other lab values. CONCLUSION:Brucella serology does not correlate with clinical outcomes at EOT nor with culture positivity at baseline. Therefore, healthcare providers are advised to consider the whole clinical picture of a brucellosispatient without relying solely on serological results during follow up and not replace culturing with serology testing alone at the time of diagnosis.
Authors: Felipe Francisco Tuon; Natacha Cerchiari; Juliana Clélia Cequinel; Elizabeth El Hajjar Droppa; Suzana Dal Ri Moreira; Tânia Portella Costa; Amanda de Paula Boni Navarro; Antonieta Milleo Handar; Margely Nunes de Souza Journal: Rev Soc Bras Med Trop Date: 2017 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 1.581
Authors: Francis Gakuya; James Akoko; Lillian Wambua; Richard Nyamota; Bernard Ronoh; Isaac Lekolool; Athman Mwatondo; Mathew Muturi; Collins Ouma; Daniel Nthiwa; Earl Middlebrook; Jeanne Fair; John Gachohi; Kariuki Njenga; Bernard Bett Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2022-08-08
Authors: Laura A Thompson; Caroline E C Goertz; Lori T Quakenbush; Kathy Burek Huntington; Robert S Suydam; Raphaela Stimmelmayr; Tracy A Romano Journal: Animals (Basel) Date: 2022-07-29 Impact factor: 3.231