[Immunoenzymatic test ELISA in serodiagnosis of chronic brucellosis]

Though the acute Brucella abortus infections among cattle and humans are not observed farm and veterinary service long standing workers have been still appearing with clinical symptoms resembling chronic brucellosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate usefulness of immunoenzymatic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serodiagnosis of chronic brucellosis. Among 27 patients with chronic and in the past serologically confirmed brucellosis in seven (25.9%) the presence of specific IgG anti-Brucella antibodies by ELISA was showed. Among all 15 patients presenting with clinical symptoms suggesting brucellosis and never serologically diagnosed presence of specific IgG antibodies to Brucella abortus by ELISA was not detected. Obtained results confirmed that humoral immunological response in patients infected in the past is running out and serological tests detecting specific antibodies in chronic brucellosis are useless. The ELISA test is an additional test in serological diagnosis of brucellosis.