Brucella Antibodies Total Test
About Brucella Antibodies Total Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Brucella serology, Brucella agglutination test, SAT (Standard Tube Agglutination Test), MAT (Microagglutination Test), undulant fever test |
| Sample Type | Venous blood (serum) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 2 to 5 days (varies by laboratory) |
| Recommended For | All ages and genders; especially those with suspected brucellosis, occupational exposure to animals, or history of consuming unpasteurised dairy products |
| Price | Starting at ₹400 |
What Is a Brucella Antibodies Total Test?
The Brucella Antibodies Total test is a Brucella blood test that detects antibodies your immune system produces in response to Brucella bacteria. Doctors order it when they suspect brucellosis, an infection caused by these bacteria. A small blood sample is collected from a vein in your arm and sent to the laboratory for analysis. This test is also called the Brucella serology test or the brucellosis antibody test.
What Does a Brucella Antibodies Total Test Measure?
The test looks for specific proteins in your blood that your immune system makes when it encounters Brucella bacteria. There are different types of antibodies, each with a distinct role in identifying the stage of infection.
The following components are measured:
- IgM antibodies: These appear within the first week of infection and point to a recent or acute infection.
- IgG antibodies: These develop from the second week onwards and can remain in the blood for months or even years, indicating past exposure or an ongoing infection.
- Total antibodies (agglutination method): This technique measures the combined antibody response by observing whether antibodies cause bacterial particles to clump together. A fourfold or greater rise in antibody levels between two blood samples taken at different stages is needed to confirm an acute infection.
Why Is a Brucella Antibodies Total Test Done?
This test helps doctors evaluate whether a person has been infected with Brucella bacteria. It is ordered based on symptoms, exposure history, or occupation.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may recommend a Brucella antibody test if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Persistent or recurring fever
- Night sweats and chills
- Unexplained weakness and tiredness
- General feeling of being unwell (malaise)
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The Brucella total antibodies test can help identify or support the diagnosis of several conditions. These include:
- Acute brucellosis (also called undulant fever, Malta fever, or Mediterranean fever)
- Chronic brucellosis
- Focal infections such as bone and joint complications (osteoarticular brucellosis)
- Neurological complications linked to Brucella infection
- Brucella-related inflammation of the heart's inner lining (endocarditis)
- Arthritis affecting the spinal bones (spondylitis)
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test. The process is quick and straightforward.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment. If your doctor has ordered additional tests at the same time, check whether any of those require fasting.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A few simple steps can help ensure accurate results:
- Tell your doctor about any recent travel to areas where brucellosis is common, such as the Middle East, the Mediterranean region, or parts of India and Central America.
- Disclose any occupational contact with animals, livestock, or animal products.
- Mention if you have recently consumed unpasteurised milk, cheese, or other dairy products.
- Share a full list of any medicines you are currently taking.
- Stay well hydrated on the day of your test.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The sample collection is a routine blood draw. Here is what happens during your visit:
- A trained phlebotomist cleans a patch of skin on your arm with an antiseptic wipe.
- A soft elastic band (tourniquet) is wrapped around your upper arm to make your vein easier to locate.
- A small needle is used to collect approximately 2 mL of blood into a collection tube.
- The needle is gently removed and light pressure is applied to the site to stop any bleeding.
- A small bandage or cotton swab is placed over the area.
- Your labelled sample is dispatched to the laboratory for testing.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence the reliability of your results:
- Collecting the sample too early in the illness (before antibodies have developed)
- Recent use of antibiotics before testing
- Fatty (hyperlipemic) or broken-down (haemolysed) blood samples
- Poor sample handling or storage
- Previous Brucella infection or vaccination history
Understanding Your Brucella Antibodies Total Test Results
Your results should always be reviewed by a doctor who can consider your full clinical picture. The table below shows general reference ranges.
| Parameter | Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Brucella Total Antibody (agglutination) | Titre below 1:80 | Within normal range for healthy individuals |
| Brucella Total Antibody (agglutination) | Titre of 1:80 or above | Clinically significant; further evaluation needed |
| Presumptive acute brucellosis | Titre of 1:160 or above (SAT or BMAT) | Suggestive of acute infection when combined with symptoms and exposure history |
| IgM / IgG (ELISA) | Negative | No antibodies detected |
| IgM / IgG (ELISA) | Positive or Equivocal | Antibodies detected; confirmatory testing may follow |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain situations can make Brucella IgG IgM test results harder to interpret:
- Other bacterial infections, including those caused by Salmonella, Yersinia enterocolitica, Francisella, Vibrio cholerae, and some others, can trigger antibodies that react with Brucella tests, leading to false positive results.
- Conditions such as tuberculosis, syphilis, infectious mononucleosis, HIV, and hepatitis B may also produce false positive IgG readings.
- Most cross-reacting antibodies belong to the IgM class, which can make IgM results particularly difficult to interpret.
- In areas where brucellosis is common, a portion of the healthy population may already carry persistent Brucella antibodies from past exposure.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general precautions can reduce the risk of Brucella exposure:
- Avoid consuming unpasteurised milk, soft cheese, or other raw dairy products.
- Use appropriate protective gear when working with animals, livestock, or animal-derived materials.
- Ensure all meat is thoroughly cooked before eating.
Lupin Diagnostics Brucella Antibodies Total Test Price and Home Collection
The Brucella antibodies test price at Lupin Diagnostics starts from ₹400, and home collection is available across cities in India.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹1,850 |
| Bangalore | ₹1,850 |
| Chennai | ₹1,850 |
| Hyderabad | ₹1,850 |
| Kolkata | ₹1,850 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps to book your Brucella antibodies test near me through Lupin Diagnostics:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website or app.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home sample collection for the Brucella serology test across multiple cities in India. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories staffed by experienced professionals. Your digital report is delivered securely via email or WhatsApp once ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Brucella Antibodies Total test checks whether your immune system has produced antibodies against Brucella bacteria. Doctors use it to evaluate whether you have been exposed to these bacteria, assess the likelihood of active or past infection, and guide further clinical decisions. It does not replace other diagnostic tests but is a key tool in identifying brucellosis.
Brucellosis is not passed between people. Humans typically get infected through direct contact with infected animals, breathing in infected droplets or aerosols, or consuming unpasteurised dairy products. People who work with livestock, in meat processing, or in veterinary medicine face a higher risk of exposure.
Not on its own. A positive Brucella antibody test result does not confirm active infection, because antibodies can remain in the blood for months or years after exposure. To diagnose an acute infection, doctors generally look for a fourfold or greater rise in antibody levels between two blood samples collected at different points in the illness.
Some other bacterial infections, including those caused by Salmonella, Francisella, and Yersinia enterocolitica, can produce antibodies that cross-react with Brucella tests. Conditions such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and hepatitis B may also cause a false positive IgG result. Your doctor will consider your full history before drawing any conclusions.
People whose work or daily activities involve close contact with animals or animal products face the greatest risk. This includes veterinarians, farmers, slaughterhouse and meat-processing workers, and laboratory staff handling animal specimens. Consuming unpasteurised milk or dairy products also increases risk for anyone.
No, fasting is not required before a Brucella blood test. You can eat and drink as usual on the day of your appointment. Simply inform your doctor about any medications you are taking and any relevant travel or exposure history.
If your IgM or IgG ELISA screening result comes back positive or equivocal, the laboratory will typically follow up with a confirmatory agglutination test. This additional step helps rule out false positives and gives your doctor a clearer picture before making any clinical decisions.
Brucella Antibodies Total Test
