The Calbiotech Brucella IgM ELISA Kit is intended for the detection of IgM antibody to Brucella in human serum and plasma.

SUMMARY AND EXPLANATION

Brucella is a gram negative coccobacilli capable of infecting a wide range of animal and man. Of the three species causing human infection, B. melitensisis the most patogenic followed by B. suis and B. abortus . Brucellosis is transmitted through contaminated and untreated milk and milk products and by direct contact with infected animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, camels, buffaloes, and, very recently, seals), animal carcasses, and abortion materials. Worldwide, millions of individual are at risk, especially in developing countries where the infection in animals has not been brought under control, heat treatment procedures of milk (e.g. pasteurization) are not routinely applied, and food habits such as consumption of raw milk.The incubation period of brucellosis is usually one to three weeks, but sometimes may be several months. The illness may be mild and self-limiting or severe. The disease is accompanied by continued, intermittent, or irregular fever, headache, weight loss and generalized aching and fatigue. Urogenital symptoms may dominate the clinical presentation in some patients.

This method uses B. abortus outer membrane, which is shared by the other species. Brucella IgG and IgA antibodies persist for many years after infection. A significant increase in Brucella IgG level is in patients with symptoms of brucellosis is indicative of recent exposure. IgM antibodies are present in acute brucellosis and also found in about 33% of patients with chronic brucellosis.

PRINCIPLE OF THE TEST