An evaluation of serological tests in the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in naturally infected cattle in KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa

Authors

  • Songelwayo L Chisi Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory
  • Yoanda Marageni Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory
  • Prebashni Naidoo Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory
  • Gloria Zulu Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory
  • George W Akol Dohne Agricultural Development Institute
  • Henriette van Heerden University of Pretoria

Abstract

The diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) of the Rose Bengal test (RBT), the complement fixation test (CFT), the serum agglutination test (SAT), the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) and the indirect ELISA (iELISA) were determined in naturally infected cattle in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa with known infectious status from culture (gold standard). Natural brucellosis infection status of animals was determined by culturing and identification of Brucella abortus biovar 1 from abomasal fluid, milk, hygroma fluid, lymph nodes or uterine discharges samples. The diagnostic specificity (DSp) of the tests mentioned above was determined using samples from known negative herds. There was no statistically significant difference between the tests in their ability to diagnose brucellosis. The RBT and iELISA had the highest DSe of 95.8%, whereas RBT and CFT had the highest DSp of 100%. In South African laboratories, the RBT and CFT serological tests are used, because of the cost efficacy of CFT when compared to the less labour intensive but more expensive iELISA.

Author Biographies

  • Songelwayo L Chisi, Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory

    Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, South Africa

  • Yoanda Marageni, Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory

    Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, South Africa

  • Prebashni Naidoo, Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory

    Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, South Africa

  • Gloria Zulu, Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory

    Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, South Africa

  • George W Akol, Dohne Agricultural Development Institute

    Centre of Veterinary Excellence, Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, South Africa and Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Stutterheim, South Africa

  • Henriette van Heerden, University of Pretoria

    Department of Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Vol. 88 No. 1 (2017)

Section

Original Research