A COMPARISON OF RAPID SLIDE AND STANDARD TUBE AGGLUTINATION TESTS FOR BRUCELLOSIS

261 specimens of blood were tested by both the rapid method and the standard tube agglutination technique for brucellosis. The rapid reagent picked out most cases requiring treatment. There were very few false positive results, but some false negatives. The Br. abortus rapid reagent was satisfactory in the diagnosis of both Br. abortus and Br. melitensis infections. The rapid test is recommended as a valuable diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of brucellosis in small hospitals of rural areas. © 1968 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.