author(s)
Gourab Basak, Udit Jain, JK Yadav, Barkha Sharma, Singh Parul, RP Mishra and Mini Kanchan

abstract
Brucellosis is an alarming zoonosis prevalent globally. This study detected Brucella antibodies in ruminants’ serum samples and compared the efficacies of different serological tests like Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), Serum Tube Agglutination Test (STAT) and Indirect Enzyme-linked Immune Sorbent Assay (i-ELISA). Of the 463 total serum samples tested, 16 (3.46%), 48 (10.37%) and 28 (6.05%) samples were found positive with RBPT, STAT and i-ELISA, respectively. Diagnostic sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values, False Discovery Rate (FDR), False Omission Rate (FOR), likelihood ratios, odds ratio and concordance of RBPT and STAT were calculated. Agreement between various serological tests was calculated using kappa statistics. Substantial agreement was obtained between i-ELISA and RBPT (ĸ=0.67) whereas fair agreement was evident between i-ELISA and STAT (ĸ=0.26). Seropositivity was confirmed by i-ELISA whereas highest percentage was obtained by STAT. Organised sector scored higher compared to unorganised sector. The results of the study indicate that STAT can be used for screening purpose but because of its false negative results it is not reliable. On the other hand, in absence of isolation and identification of brucellae, i-ELISA can be used as a standard reference test because of its higher sensitiveness and specificity.