Microtechnique of 2-Mercaptoethanol test in Serologic Diagnosis of Human Brucellosis

Microtechnique of 2-Mercaptoethanol test in Serologic Diagnosis of Human Brucellosis

V.Taleski. Institute of Preventive Medical Care, Centre of Military Health Institutions, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

Objectives: A comparative assesment of Microtechnique of 2-Mercaptoethanol test (MAT 2-ME) in comparison with 2-Mercaptoethanol test (2-ME) in serologic diagnosis of human brucellosis.

Methods: 2-ME was performed in tubes and MAT 2-ME in microplates. The sera were incubated at 37 C0 for 24h. Titers = or > of 160 were considered as positive. These tests confirm only IgG as agglutinable antibodies in sera.

Results : A total of 223 sera were examined with both methods. Equal titers were in 212 (95%). The differences of two or more dilutions in 11 (5%) sera were statistically insignificant (p>0.005)

MAT 2-ME has some advantages: need 20 fold lesser Brucella antigen, the irritation of mucoses is significantly lesser, the simply and fast use, the additional equipment is not expensive.

Conclusions: MAT 2-ME is very accurate method with some advantages in comparison with 2-ME.Since the results of this test, in combination with the results of The Serum Agglutination Test-Wright, are an important indicator of the activity and stage of the disease and response to the antibiotic treatment, this test should be used as one of the routine serologic tests.