Comparative analysis of serological and molecular methods for the detection of brucella spp. in human samples

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella spp., whose diagnosis in humans remains a challenge due to its clinical variability and inherent limitations of the available diagnostic techniques. In this context, both serological and molecular methods are widely used, although they differ in their diagnostic capacity. This bibliographic review analyzed recent publications with the aim of comparing the accuracy of both methodologies in the detection of Brucella spp. in human samples. The results show that serological tests, such as Rosa de Bengala, ELISA and Brucellacapt, are accessible, fast and useful for screening; however, they have limitations to differentiate between active and past infection, in addition to specificity problems due to cross-reactions. On the other hand, molecular techniques, such as conventional PCR and real-time PCR, allow accurate detection of bacterial DNA, even in early stages of infection or in cases with low bacterial load, thus reducing the likelihood of false negatives. In conclusion, molecular techniques have greater sensitivity and diagnostic specificity compared to serological tests. However, the latter maintain their relevance in the initial screening. Therefore, the integration of both diagnostic strategies is considered fundamental to optimize the detection and management of brucellosis in humans.