Brucella serology; Brucella antibody test or titer

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

A serology test can determine if you have ever been exposed to a particular antigen, but this does not necessarily mean that you are currently infected. Increasing antibody levels over a 2-week period are more likely to indicate a current infection.

Images

Previous Section

Serology for brucellosis Results

Next Section

Serology for brucellosis Prevention

Review Date: 11/15/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)