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A case of brucellosis presenting as high titer negative result by standard tube agglutination test       
Yazarlar
Turan Buzǧan
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı,, Turkey
Hasan Karsen
Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Turkey
M. Kasim Karahocagil
Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Turkey
Hayrettin Akdeniz
Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Turkey
Mahmut Sünnetçioǧlu
Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Turkey
Özet
Since prozone is a well known phenomenon in the serologic diagnosis of Brucella infections, it is necessary to prepare higher serum dilutions in the standard tube agglutination (STA) test for the brucellosis suspected patients. However, due to limited economical support, the serum dilutions generally last at 1/320-1/640 titers in some laboratories in Turkey. In this report, a brucellosis case whose STA test was found negative until the titer of 1/1280, has been presented. A 36-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with the complaints of fever, sweating, fatigue, generalized arthralgia and weight loss, lasting for 45 days. Hepatosplenomegaly was detected in the physical examination, and laboratory tests yielded anemia, leucopenia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high C-reactive protein levels. Although brucellosis was suspected, Brucella STA test was found negative at 1/640 titer. On the sixth day of admission, Brucella melitensis was isolated from her blood culture. Since a positive result at 1/40 titer was detected in Brucella STA test with the use of Coombs antiserum, the patient's serum was retested at higher dilutions than 1/640, and positive result was obtained starting from 1/1280 dilution and extended to 1/5120 titer. The patient was treated with rifampin and doxycyline and discharged with complete cure. In conclusion, in countries endemic for brucellosis, STA test should be performed at 1/1280 or higher titrations in suspected patients especially in the presence of negative culture results, for the prevention of false negative results due to prozone phenomenon.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Brucella | Brucellosis | Prozone phenomenon | Standard tube agglutination test
Makale Türü Özgün Makale
Makale Alt Türü SCOPUS dergilerinde yayımlanan tam makale
Dergi Adı Mikrobiyoloji Bulteni
Dergi ISSN 0374-9096
Makale Dili İngilizce
Basım Tarihi 01-2007
Cilt No 41
Sayı 1
Sayfalar 151 / 154
BM Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
Atıf Sayıları
WoS 3
SCOPUS 5
Google Scholar 4

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