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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDoctors usually confirm a diagnosis of brucellosis by testing a sample of blood or bone marrow for the brucella bacteria or by testing blood for antibodies to the bacteria. To help detect complications of brucellosis, you may have additional tests, including:
- X-rays. X-rays can reveal changes in your bones and joints.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These imaging tests help identify inflammation or abscesses in the brain or other tissues.
- Cerebrospinal fluid culture. This checks a small sample of the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord for infections such as meningitis and encephalitis.
- Echocardiography. This test uses sound waves to create images of your heart to check for signs of infection or damage to your heart.
References
- Brucellosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/brucellosis_g.htm. Accessed Sept. 20, 2010.
- Salata RA. Brucellosis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/219300457-3/1055876208/1492/1162.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50336-0_14353. Accessed Sept. 20, 2010.
- Everett ED. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 20, 2010.
- Cristofaro P, et al. Brucellosis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis & Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00011-1--sc0120&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&sid=1055876208&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00011-1--sc0120&uniqId=219300457-4#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00011-1--sc0120. Accessed Sept. 20, 2010.
- Dokuzoguz B, et al. Brucellosis. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00002-8--sc0030&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2&sid=1055982062&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00002-8--sc0030&uniqId=219300457-6#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00002-8--sc0030. Accessed Sept. 20, 2010.
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