Usefulness of Urine as a Sample for Detection of Brucella Spp in Male Canines

Urine was used as a sample and Sensitivity (S), Specificity (Sp) and the positive Likelihood Ratio (LR+) of molecular and serological methods, combined with epidemiology and the clinical symptoms for detection of Brucella spp., were compared in blood and urine samples from 241 male canines. The rapid slide agglutination test together with 2- mercaptoethanol (2-ME RSAT) were used as a screening test, followed by confirmation using an indirect immunoenzymatic assay (iELISA) and bacteriological culture. Results were as follows: Test a) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) of blood compared to blood culture: S 80%, Sp 92%, LR+ 10.32 (CI 5.27-19.20) test b) iELISA compared to blood culture: S 100%, Sp 94%, LR+: 16.57 (CI 9.97-27.53), test c) PCR of urine compared to urine culture: S 100%, Sp 93% (CI 8.36-21.56), LR+: 13.64 (CI 8.36-21.56) test d) iELISA compared to urine culture: S 100%, Sp 93%, LR+: 14.5 (CI 9.03-23.26). We conclude that molecular and serological tests in conjunction with epidemiology are both useful for diagnosis and that both blood and urine samples should be assayed together

Comparison of four polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of Brucella spp. in clinical samples from dogs

Aim: This study aimed to compare the sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), and positive likelihood ratios (LR+) of four polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the detection of Brucella spp. in dog's clinical samples. Materials and Methods: A total of 595 samples of whole blood, urine, and genital fluids were evaluated between October 2014 and November 2016. To compare PCR assays, the gold standard was defined using a combination of different serological and microbiological test. Bacterial isolation from urine and blood cultures was carried out. Serological methods such as rapid slide agglutination test, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, agar gel immunodiffusion test, and buffered plate antigen test were performed. Four genes were evaluated: (i) The gene coding for the BCSP31 protein, (ii) the ribosomal gene coding for the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region, (iii) the gene coding for porins omp2a/omp2b, and (iv) the gene coding for the insertion sequence IS711. Results: The results obtained were as follows: (1) For the primers that amplify the gene coding for the BCSP31 protein: S: 45.64% (confidence interval [CI] 39.81-51.46), Sp: 95.62% (CI 93.13-98.12), and LR+: 10.43 (CI 6.04-18); (2) for the primers that amplify the ribosomal gene of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region: S: 69.80% (CI 64.42-75.18), Sp: 95.62 % (CI 93.13-98.12), and LR+: 11.52 (CI 7.31-18.13); (3) for the primers that amplify the omp2a and omp2b genes: S: 39.26% (CI 33.55-44.97), Sp: 97.31% (CI 95.30-99.32), and LR+ 14.58 (CI 7.25-29.29); and (4) for the primers that amplify the insertion sequence IS711: S: 22.82% (CI 17.89 - 27.75), Sp: 99.66% (CI 98.84-100), and LR+ 67.77 (CI 9.47-484.89). Conclusion: We concluded that the gene coding for the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region was the one that best detected Brucella spp. in canine clinical samples