If a slide agglutination test for Brucella in a female dog is positive, what is the next step?

If a slide agglutination test for Brucella in a female dog is positive, what is the next step?

• A. Start antibiotic treatment
• B. Spay the dog
• C. Isolate the dog
• D. Conduct further testing

Answer: (D)

A positive Brucella slide agglutination test is a screening result, not a final diagnosis. Such tests can yield false positives from cross-reactions or technical issues, so the next step is to pursue confirmatory testing to determine if there is an active infection and shedding. This typically means more specific testing—such as culture or PCR for Brucella canis, or a different serologic test with higher specificity—performed on appropriate samples (blood, reproductive fluids, etc.). Only after confirming infection should management decisions be made, since actions like starting antibiotics or altering breeding status should wait for diagnostic certainty.

A positive Brucella slide agglutination test is a screening result, not a final diagnosis. Such tests can yield false positives from cross-reactions or technical issues, so the next step is to pursue confirmatory testing to determine if there is an active infection and shedding. This typically means more specific testing—such as culture or PCR for Brucella canis, or a different serologic test with higher specificity—performed on appropriate samples (blood, reproductive fluids, etc.). Only after confirming infection should management decisions be made, since actions like starting antibiotics or altering breeding status should wait for diagnostic certainty.