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Effectiveness of Rose Bengal test and fluorescence polarization assay in the diagnosis of Brucella spp. infections in free range cattle reared in endemic areas in Zambia

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Abstract

The effectiveness of Rose Bengal test (RBT) and fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) in diagnosing cattle brucellosis in endemic areas was assessed and RBT and FPA test agreement was compared (n = 319). The sensitivity of RBT and FPA in detecting low Brucella titres were evaluated in paired sera (n = 34). A logistic regression model was constructed to predict cattle test result in FPA using RBT as the main predictor and incorporating bio-data and animal history. There was 79.3% agreement between the RBT and FPA (Kappa = 0.59; Std error = 0.05; p = 0.000) and a high correspondence between high RBT scores and positive FPA results suggesting that sera with high RBT score may not require confirmation with tests such as competitive-ELISA or CFT. High FPA cut-off points were more likely to miss animals with low antibody titres. The RBT had a reduced ability in detecting low antibody titres compared to the FPA. FPA test interpretation was improved if a priori information, such as sex and age was used. Under the challenging disease surveillance conditions prevailing in rural Africa, field-testing methods that are sensitive and specific; allow single animal contact, low technical skills in data interpretation are suitable.

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Abbreviations

CFT:

Complement fixation test

ELISA:

Enzyme linked immunossorbent assay

FPA:

Fluorescence polarization assay

mP:

Mili-polarisation units

RBT:

Rose Bengal test

Se:

Sensitivity

Sp:

Specificity

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Acknowledgement

The Norwegian Council for Higher Education’s Programme for Development Research and Education (NUFU) funded this study and we are greatly indebted to this organization. We also acknowledge the cooperation we received from the farmers and help from field staff under the Ministry of Agriculture. We are further grateful to the staff at the University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine who helped with the work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32397, Lusaka, Zambia

    J. B. Muma, M. Munyeme & K. Mwacalimba

  2. National Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 8156 Dep., N-0033, Oslo, Norway

    A. Lund

  3. Animal Disease Research, Institute, Canada Food Inspection Agency, 3851 Fallowfield Road, Nepean, ON, Canada, K2H 8P9

    K. Nielsen

  4. Department of Paraclinical Veterinary Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe

    G. Matope

  5. Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., 0033, Oslo, Norway

    E. Skjerve

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  1. J. B. Muma
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  2. A. Lund
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  3. K. Nielsen
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  4. G. Matope
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  5. M. Munyeme
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  6. K. Mwacalimba
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  7. E. Skjerve
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Correspondence to J. B. Muma.

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Muma, J.B., Lund, A., Nielsen, K. et al. Effectiveness of Rose Bengal test and fluorescence polarization assay in the diagnosis of Brucella spp. infections in free range cattle reared in endemic areas in Zambia. Trop Anim Health Prod 41, 723–729 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-008-9244-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-008-9244-0

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