Journal of Medical Sciences1682-44741812-5727Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jms.2008.595.598HasibiM. AmirzargarA. JafariS. SoudbakhshA. HajiabdolbaghiM. RashidiA. GharouniM. 6200886The aim of study was to determine the diagnostic value of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) in 37 confirmed cases of brucellosis and 78 healthy controls. The diagnosis of brucellosis was based on a compatible clinical picture plus a positive blood culture and/or an antibody titer of≥1:160 at the serum agglutination test. Controls were asymptomatic individuals with negative blood cultures and no previous history of brucellosis. PCR and ELISA were performed on all samples. PCR was positive in 15 (40.5%) patients and no controls. Mean±SD (range) ELISA IgG levels in patients and controls were 198.9 ± 63.1 (9.7-231.9) IU mL-1 and 14.6±27.2 (0-145.0) IU mL-1, respectively (p<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for distinguishing between cases and controls was 0.977. The cutoff point for ELISA results yielding maximal sensitivity plus specificity was 167.35 IU mL-1. ELISA proved to be a more appropriate diagnostic method than PCR in the series, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 89.2, 100, 100 and 95.1%, respectively.]]>Baily, G.G., J.B. Krahn, B.S. Drasar and N.G. Stoker,1992Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus by DNA amplification.]]>95271275Cirak, M.Y. and K. Hizel,200236271276Elfaki, M.G., A.A. Al-Hokail, S.M. Nakeeb and F.A. Al-Rabiah,200511MT69MT74Elfaki, M.G., T. Uz-Zaman, A.A. Al-Hokail and S.M. Nakeeb,20055317Fadeel, M.A., M.O. Wasfy, G. Pimentel, J.D. Klena, F.J. Mahoney and R.A. Hajjeh,200627975981Gad El-Rab, M.O. and A.M. Kambal,199836197201Hausler, W.J., N.P. Moyer and L.A. Holcomb Brucella,19841st Edn.,Karimi, A., A. Alborzi, M. Rasooli, M.R. Kadivar and A.R. Nateghian,20039178184Memish, Z.A., M. Almuneef, M.W. Mah, L.A. Qassem and A.O. Osoba,200244129132Mitka, S., C. Anetakis, E. Souliou, E. Diza and A. Kansouzidou,20074512111218Navarro, E., M.A. Casao and J. Solera,200440115123Nimri, L.F.,2003355Osoba, A.O., H. Balkhy, Z. Memish, M.Y. Khan, A. Al-Thagafi, B. Al Shareef, A. Al Mowallad and G.A. Oni,2001135459Pappas, G., N. Akritidis, M. Bosilkovski and E. Tsianos,200535223252336Queipo-Ortuño, M.I., J.D. Colmenero, G. Baeza and P. Morata,200540260264Queipo-Ortuno, M.I., P. Morata, P. Ocon P. Manchado, J.D. Colmenero,19973529272930Young, E.J.,1991brucellosis: Analysis of 214 cases by agglutination tests and review of the literature.]]>13359372Zerva, L., K. Bourantas, S. Mitka, A. Kansouzidou and N.J. Legakis,20013916611664