Serological diagnosis of brucellosis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis): comparison among complement fixation, serum agglutination and rose bengal plate test.

The results of a comparative study among complement fixation (CFT), plate agglutination (PAT), tube agglutination (TAT) and Rose Bengal plate tests ( RBPT ) to the serodiagnosis of brucellosis in Indian buffaloes are reported. Sera from 212 buffaloes unvaccinated against brucellosis were examined and the CFT was able to reveal significant titres in sera with low agglutinating titres. From 109 sera which did not show agglutination titres in the PAT, four showed complement fixing titre greater than 1 in 200. All the positive sera to the RBPT gave complement fixing titre equal to or greater than 1 in 20. In sera that showed negative result to the RBPT the CFT was able to reveal relatively high titres. From 131 sera negative to the RBPT five showed complement fixing titres greater than 1 in 60.