When tracking recovery from brucellosis, what common interpretation pitfall surrounds post-treatment tube agglutination test results?

Answer

A high titer persisting for several weeks should not automatically be interpreted as treatment failure.

A key challenge in monitoring brucellosis recovery using serological markers like the tube agglutination test relates to the persistence of antibodies. Even after successful eradication of the viable bacteria through a complete and appropriate course of antibiotics, the body's immune response often leaves detectable levels of these antibodies circulating in the blood. These titers can remain high or decrease slowly over many months, or even years. Therefore, practitioners must weigh clinical improvement—such as the resolution of fever and malaise—against the serology, understanding that an initial high titer immediately following therapy does not instantly signal that the treatment has failed.

When tracking recovery from brucellosis, what common interpretation pitfall surrounds post-treatment tube agglutination test results?

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