Diagnosis of Brucellosis
Diagnosis of brucellosis requires a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, and a detailed patient history. An accurate diagnosis of brucellosis is vital. As the disease can mimic other infections or autoimmune conditions, delaying treatment if not correctly identified.
Doctors begin by reviewing symptoms and asking about risk factors such as occupation (e.g. farming, veterinary work). Recent travel to endemic areas, and consumption of unpasteurised dairy products. People with prolonged fever, muscle pain, and fatigue — especially in rural or agricultural settings — should be evaluated for brucellosis.
Physical examination may reveal fever, enlarged lymph nodes, joint tenderness, or hepatosplenomegaly. These findings are non-specific, so further testing is needed.
Blood cultures are the most definitive diagnostic tool. Isolating Brucella bacteria from the blood confirms the infection, though it may take several days to grow in the lab. In chronic cases, the bacteria may be harder to detect. Furthermore, requiring repeated cultures or sampling from infected tissues or bone marrow.
Serological tests such as the standard agglutination test (SAT), ELISA, or Coombs test measure antibodies to Brucella and help detect both acute and chronic infections. Rising antibody levels in repeat tests can confirm active infection.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing, though not widely available, offers rapid detection by identifying Brucella DNA. It is useful in complicated or advanced cases.
Diagnosis of Brucellosis
Additional tests like full blood counts, liver function tests, or inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP) can support the diagnosis and monitor disease severity, though they are not specific to brucellosis.
Imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may be used to identify complications — such as abscesses, joint damage, or inflammation of internal organs.
A timely diagnosis of brucellosis ensures appropriate treatment, reduces the risk of chronic complications, and improves the likelihood of full recovery. Doctors should always consider brucellosis in patients with fever of unknown origin and relevant exposure history.
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