Which test would be used to diagnose Brucella canis infection in a dog?

Which test would be used to diagnose Brucella canis infection in a dog?

• A. Serum agglutination test
• B. PCR
• C. ELISA
• D. Urine culture

Answer: (A)

Brucella canis infection in dogs is typically first looked for by testing the animal’s serum for antibodies against the organism. The serum agglutination test is specifically designed to detect these antibodies and is widely used in practice because it’s rapid, accessible, and cost-effective. A positive result indicates exposure or infection and can prompt confirmatory testing (such as culture or PCR) to verify active infection and guide treatment and control measures. Direct culture of Brucella canis, especially from urine or blood, is slow and requires specialized biosafety facilities, and PCR, while useful, is not as routinely available as a screening test and can yield variable results depending on timing and sample quality. Urine culture can be unreliable due to intermittent shedding and technical challenges. For these reasons, the serologic agglutination test is the best initial diagnostic tool for this infection.

Brucella canis infection in dogs is typically first looked for by testing the animal’s serum for antibodies against the organism. The serum agglutination test is specifically designed to detect these antibodies and is widely used in practice because it’s rapid, accessible, and cost-effective. A positive result indicates exposure or infection and can prompt confirmatory testing (such as culture or PCR) to verify active infection and guide treatment and control measures. Direct culture of Brucella canis, especially from urine or blood, is slow and requires specialized biosafety facilities, and PCR, while useful, is not as routinely available as a screening test and can yield variable results depending on timing and sample quality. Urine culture can be unreliable due to intermittent shedding and technical challenges. For these reasons, the serologic agglutination test is the best initial diagnostic tool for this infection.