Ordering Recommendation

Recommended serology test to detect recent infection from Brucella in the context of a clinically compatible illness and exposure history.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum Separator Tube (SST).

Specimen Preparation

Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.3 mL) Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, or severely lipemic specimens.

Remarks

Mark specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."

Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 6 months (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Agglutination

Performed

Mon-Fri

Reported

2-4 days

Reference Interval

Less than 1:20 Negative

Interpretive Data

Cross-reactions may occur between Brucella and F. tularensis antigens and antisera; therefore, parallel tests should be run with these antigens. A fourfold rise in titer is considered diagnostic. A single serum titer of 1:80 or 1:160 is suggestive of brucellosis when accompanied by a compatible clinical course in a patient with a history of potential exposures.

Compliance Category

Standard

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

86622

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0050135 Brucella Ab (Total) by Agglutination 19053-8
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Brucella Serology
  • Brucella Total Antibody Agglutination, Serum
  • Febrile Agglutinins
Brucella Antibody (Total) by Agglutination