OBJECTIVE: Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic disease affecting livestock and human beings. The human disease lacks pathognomonic symptoms and laboratory tests are essential for its diagnosis. However, most tests are difficult to implement in the areas and countries where brucellosis is endemic. In this research the aim was to compare the simple and cheap Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and the modified Rose Bengal test (mRBPT), with serum agglutination test (SAT) and competitive Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) in Sudanese citizens with high risk of Brucellosis in Gezira state, central Sudan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty samples were collected from people at risk. Blood for serum samples was collected from arm venous blood using serum vaccutainer tubes with needles and needle holders. Each of the eighty serum samples was used for diagnosis of brucellosis using Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT), modified Rose Bengal plate test (mRBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), and competitive Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA).

RESULTS: Serologically, both RBPT and mRBPT gave 7 (8.8%) positive results in comparison to 73 (91.2%) negative results, while the SAT scored 11 (13.8%) positive results in comparison to 69 (86.2%) negative results, and the cELISA scored 8 (10%) positive results in comparison to 72 (90%) negative results.

CONCLUSIONS: SAT scored the highest sensitivity although is known for giving both false positive and false negative. cELISA detected more cases than RBPT and mRBPT. More than one test is preferred to be used in endemic areas.