The Wright agglutination test is used as an initial screening test for diagnosing brucellosis.
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Brucellosis (Malta fever, Mediterranean fever, Undulant fever) is a systemic disease transmitted by animals to humans and lasts days to years. It is frequently found in Europe, North Africa, Asia, Mexico, and South America. Brucella is a microbe that is compulsively parasitized in animals. The method of transmission to humans is through direct contact of body tissues with the fluids, milk, and dairy products of infected animals or through breastfeeding from infected mothers to infants. The onset of the disease may be acute or subacute, and symptoms may include arthralgia, myalgia, chills, sweating, fever, headache, weakness, pneumonitis, and meningitis.
In Wright's agglutination test, specific Brucella antigens are mixed with the patient's serum, and an agglutination reaction is sought. Successive dilutions of serum and re-testing follow a positive response. The results are expressed as the highest titer, indicating agglutination. Agglutination at a titer greater than 1:80 suggests the presence of antibodies against Brucella species (B. melitensis, B. abortus, B. suis) and is used in the indirect diagnosis of human brucellosis. Titers from 1:20 to 1:80 are a normal finding for farmers and cattle breeders, pigs, goats, sheep, and endemic areas, with no clinical manifestations. Titers 1:160 indicate past or present infection. A fourfold increase in antibody titer within 2 weeks indicates acute infection.
Important Note
Laboratory test results are the most critical parameter for diagnosing and monitoring all pathological conditions. Between 70 to 80% of diagnostic decisions are based on laboratory tests. Correctly interpreting laboratory results allows a doctor to distinguish "healthy" from "diseased."
Laboratory test results should not be interpreted from the numerical result of a single analysis. Test results should be analyzed based on each case and family history, clinical findings, and the results of other laboratory tests and information. Your physician should explain the importance of your test results.
At Diagnostiki Athinon, we answer any questions you may have about the test you perform in our laboratory and contact your doctor to ensure you receive the best possible medical care.
