Analysis of 506 consecutive positive serologic tests for brucellosis in Saudi Arabia

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Abstract
Brucellosis is common in the central region of Saudi Arabia. The major clue to the diagnosis is serologic testing. In 3 years, over 500 positive patients who had a titer of 1:160 or more were identified, Brucella species was the single organism most commonly recovered in all blood cultures, being found in 24% of patients with cultures positive for pathogenic bacteria. The expected greater number of Brucella cultures with high initial recorded titer was confirmed; 31% of the positive high-titer group had positive Brucella cultures. Conclusive correlation was uncommon below the 1:640 titer. The lower titers were less useful as indicators of active disease in this population, in which many people appear to have persistent low antibody levels.