Evaluation of culture and real time PCR methods for the diagnosis of Brucellosis

Aim: In this study, 73 abortion materials collected from different parts of Turkey were studied. In these samples, the presence of Brucella spp. was tried to be determined by using culture isolation and Real-time PCR methods. At the same time, these methods were compared in laboratory diagnosis. Patients and methods: In this study, clinical samples taken from aborted cattle from various provinces of Turkey were examined. For this purpose, a total of 79 samples, 28 of which were fetal stomach contents and 51 of which were vaginal swabs, were used as material. Brucella spp agent was investigated using culture isolation and real-time PCR method. Results: As a result of isolation of the collected samples from culture, 8 (10.12%) samples were determined as Brucella spp. positive. The same samples were then subjected to Real Time PCR testing for comparison. 11 samples (13.92%) were detected by real-time PCR for Brucella spp. determined as positive. It suggested that inhibitors, bacterial load in clinical samples and possible contaminations may reduce the chance of isolation from culture or lead to false negative results. Conclusion: As a result, it was concluded that real-time PCR can be used as an alternative method to culture in the diagnosis of brucellosis because it is a fast and reliable method.