Diagnosing brucellosis using blood specimens
Test Id | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
RMALD | Ident by MALDI-TOF mass spec | No, (Bill Only) | No |
ISAE | Aerobe Ident by Sequencing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed at an additional charge.
Conventional Culture Technique
Blood culture
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed at an additional charge.
Whole Blood Culture
Mayo Clinic Laboratories does not perform species identification of Brucella; these isolates should be submitted to the state health department laboratory.
Specimen source is required.
Question ID | Description | Answers |
---|---|---|
Q00M0010 | Specimen Source |
Container/Tube: Blood Isolator tube
Specimen Volume: Entire collection
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Whole Blood Culture | Ambient | 24 hours |
Diagnosing brucellosis using blood specimens
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed at an additional charge.
Brucella species are facultative intracellular gram-negative-staining bacilli capable of producing the disease "brucellosis" in humans. Human disease likely is acquired by contact with animals infected with the organism (Brucella abortus, Brucella suis, Brucella melitensis, and occasionally Brucella canis) either by direct contact or by ingestion of meat or milk. The signs and symptoms associated with brucellosis may include fever, night sweats, chills, weakness, malaise, headache, and anorexia. The physical examination may reveal lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. A definitive diagnosis of brucellosis is made by recovering the organism from blood, fluid (including urine), or tissue specimens.
No growth after 14 days
Isolation of a Brucella species indicates infection
Cultures of blood and/or bone marrow are positive in 70% to 90% of acute Brucella infections but much less so in subacute or chronic infections. In these latter instances, culture yield is highest from the specific tissue involved, or serology may be necessary to establish diagnosis.
Although Brucella species are relatively resistant to adverse environmental conditions, excessive delay in the transport of material for culture to the laboratory may result in a lower yield.
If a significant delay is expected, specimens should be refrigerated.
1. Gul HC, Erdem H: Brucellosis (Brucella species). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:2753-2758
2. Procop GW, Church DL, Hall GS, et al, eds: Miscellaneous fastidious gram-negative bacilli. In: Koneman's Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology. 7th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2017:472-595
Specimens submitted in Isolator tubes are concentrated and inoculated onto blood and chocolate blood agar incubated at 35 degrees C with increased carbon dioxide (CO2). Cultures are incubated for 14 days before issuing a negative report.
Monday through Sunday
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.
87081
87153-(if appropriate)
87077-(if appropriate)
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
BRUCB | Brucella Culture, B | 551-2 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
BRUCB | Brucella Culture, B | 551-2 |