IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-9-3-24594 Original Research Paper DETERMINATION OF BASELINE TITRE FOR ANTI–BRUCELLA ANTIBODIES IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY BLOOD DONORS IN AHMEDNAGAR, MAHARASHTRA. Prasad Gunjal Dr. Prasad N. Gunjal Dr. March 2020 9 3 01 02 ABSTRACT

Brucellae are Gram negative coccobacilli causing brucellosis. Brucellosis manifests with non–specific symptoms and so remains misdiagnosed and underreported. Therefore laboratory diagnosis becomes necessary. Blood culture provides a confirmation but has certain limiting factors. Hence laboratory diagnosis mainly relies on the Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT) which detects antibodies against Brucella. Although a titre of ≥ 160 IU/ml is considered to be diagnostic, it is influenced by the local baseline titre. The study therefore aims to know the baseline antibody prevalence of anti–Brucella antibodies in apparently healthy people. Approximately 2 ml of blood was collected from 300 apparently healthy blood donors. The serum was separated and processed by the STAT. Out of total 300 specimens, 87(29%) specimens showed presence of anti–Brucella antibodies. A titre of ≥ 80 IU/ml is considered as significant titre for STAT. Out of 87 sera having anti–Brucella antibodies, maximum number (mode) i.e. 32 (36.78%) were positive at a titre of 20 IU/ml. Therefore considering 20 IU/ml as the baseline titre, a titre of ≥40 IU/ml should be considered as a significant titre for the local population in this area. Hence a titre of ≥40 IU /ml for STAT performed on single sera along with consistent clinical features and history of the patient can be considered as an indication of brucellosis in the local population in this area.