BRUCELLOSIS AMONG OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED WORKERS - IMMUNOLOGICAL TESTS COMPARED AFTER VACCINATION

For the evaluation of immunological tests during an epidemiological su rvey and of vaccination with the PI brucellin vaccine, in an occupatio nally exposed environment, a sample group of 354 subjects was studied. The vaccinal strategy was based on the outcome of a skin test for hyp ersensitivity : the PS brucellin test. In this framewordk, the serolog ical status and evolution of individuals with positive or negative rea ctions to this test were analysed. Sera were studied using the buffere d antigen test, indirect fluorescence immunoassay and Wright's aggluti nation test, as well as by PACIA and ELISA techniques with assay of Ig G, IgA and IgM antibodies. The PS test, which was pivotal in this stud y, was compared with the lymphoblastic transformation test. One promin ent aspect of this evaluation was the establishment of conventional pr ognostic indices for the PS and serology. The PS is definitely shown t o be a convenient, reliable tool for screening. Although it does not g enerate sensitivity it may modify the serological status of both posit ive and negative individuals.