Brucella IgG

Bacterial/ Viral

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No Fasting Required

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Detects IgG antibodies against Brucella bacteria.

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Brucella IgG Test Information Guide

Why is it done?
- Detects immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against Brucella species bacteria to identify past or chronic brucellosis infection
- Used to diagnose brucellosis, a zoonotic disease transmitted through contact with infected animals or consumption of unpasteurized dairy products
- Ordered when patients present with persistent fever, fatigue, joint pain, sweating, and weakness suggestive of brucellosis
- Useful for distinguishing chronic brucellosis from acute infection; IgG indicates past or ongoing infection while IgM indicates acute infection
- Commonly performed in individuals with occupational exposure (veterinarians, farmers, butchers, laboratory workers handling animal materials)
- May be performed during follow-up monitoring after brucellosis treatment to assess response to therapy
Normal Range
- Negative Result: < 1:160 or < 0.9 AU/mL (depending on laboratory methodology)
- Positive Result: ≥ 1:160 or ≥ 0.9 AU/mL indicating presence of Brucella IgG antibodies
- Measurement Units: Titers (1:160, 1:320, 1:640) or Antibody Units (AU/mL) depending on assay type
- Negative results suggest absence of current or past Brucella infection; however, results must be interpreted in clinical context as early acute infections may not yet produce detectable IgG
- Positive results indicate current or past Brucella infection; elevated titers are more indicative of active or recent infection
Interpretation
- IgG Positive with high titers (≥ 1:320): Indicates current or chronic brucellosis infection; warrants clinical correlation and additional testing (IgM, blood culture) to confirm active disease
- IgG Positive with low titers (1:160 to 1:320): May represent late-stage acute infection, chronic infection, or resolved past infection; combined with clinical symptoms helps differentiate active from past infection
- IgG Positive with IgM Negative: Suggests past or chronic infection rather than recent acute infection
- IgG Positive with IgM Positive: Indicates acute or recent Brucella infection requiring immediate treatment
- IgG Negative: No evidence of Brucella infection; however, early acute infection (within first 1-2 weeks) may show negative IgG while IgM is present
- Factors affecting interpretation: Cross-reactivity with other gram-negative bacteria, timing of infection, immune system status, prior vaccination (in endemic regions), and previous infection history
- Rising titers on repeat testing suggest active infection and treatment response should be monitored; stable or declining titers during treatment indicate therapeutic effect
Associated Organs
- Primary Systems Affected: Reticuloendothelial system (bone marrow, liver, spleen, lymph nodes), musculoskeletal system, and cardiovascular system
- Brucellosis complications: Chronic arthritis (especially knees, hips, shoulders), hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen), osteomyelitis (bone infection), and endocarditis (heart valve infection)
- Associated conditions: Undulant fever (recurring fever pattern), chronic fatigue syndrome presentation, neurological involvement (meningitis, encephalitis), and reproductive complications
- Chronic manifestations: Persistent joint inflammation, vertebral osteomyelitis (spondylitis), abdominal pain, and constitutional symptoms lasting months to years if untreated
- Potential complications if untreated: Permanent joint damage, cardiac valve destruction, neurological sequelae, chronic disability, and psychological effects from prolonged illness
Follow-up Tests
- Brucella IgM antibody test: Helps differentiate acute from chronic infection; ordered concurrently with IgG test for complete serological profile
- Blood culture: Gold standard test to isolate Brucella organism; performed when IgG is positive to confirm active bacteremia
- Complete blood count (CBC): Assesses for anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia commonly seen in brucellosis
- Liver and kidney function tests: Evaluates hepatic and renal involvement; elevated liver enzymes may indicate hepatitis from Brucella infection
- Imaging studies: X-rays or MRI of affected joints and spine to assess for arthritis or osteomyelitis in symptomatic patients
- Echocardiography: Recommended if endocarditis is suspected based on clinical presentation or positive blood cultures
- Repeat serology testing: Perform 2-4 weeks after initial positive result to assess for rising or falling titers; indicates disease progression or treatment response
- Lumbar puncture (cerebrospinal fluid analysis): If neurological symptoms (meningitis) are present; Brucella serology can be performed on CSF
- Monitoring frequency: IgG titers should be rechecked every 2-4 weeks during treatment and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment to confirm clearance of infection
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Required: No
- This is a serum antibody test that does not require fasting; food and beverage intake do not affect test results
- Sample collection: Blood draw; patient may eat and drink normally before the test
- Medications to avoid: No medications need to be avoided prior to testing; however, report all current medications to healthcare provider as they may affect clinical interpretation
- Special instructions: Arrive for appointment in relaxed state if possible; wear clothing that allows easy access to arms for blood draw; inform phlebotomist of any previous adverse reactions to blood draws
- Timing considerations: For initial diagnosis, blood should be drawn during acute symptomatic phase; for monitoring treatment, timing should coincide with antibiotic therapy (usually after 2-4 weeks of treatment)
- No special preparation is required; routine testing procedures are followed for specimen collection and handling

How our test process works!