Validation of the fluorescence polarization assay as a serological test for the presumptive diagnosis of porcine brucellosis

Sera from Canadian pigs (brucellosis free, n = 14 037) and sera from pigs i nfected with Brucella suis (n = 401) were tested by the buffered antigen pl ate agglutination test, the complement fixation test, an indirect and a com petitive enzyme immunoassay and a fluorescence polarization assay. The resu lts were analysed and assay sensitivity and specificity estimates were calc ulated. The sensitivity and specificity of the tests were as follows: the b uffered antigen plate agglutination test, 77.1 and 96.9%; the complement fi xation test (considering anticomplementary sera as negative), 93.3 and 95.5 %; the complement fixation test (considering anticomplementary sera as posi tive), 58.1 and 99.9%; the indirect enzyme immunoassay, 94.0 and 97.9%; the competitive enzyme immunoassay, 90.8 and 96.6%; and the fluorescence polar ization assay, 93.5 and 97.2%; respectively. It was concluded that the fluo rescence polarization assay was a valuable asset to the diagnosis of porcin e brucellosis because of its accuracy, ease of performance and relative cos t. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.