[Importance of cross reactions in evaluating the serological diagnosis of brucellosis in human beings. 1. The results of the examination of chronic brucellosis patients using the agglutination and Coombs' tests with Brucella and Yersinia (serotype 0-9) antigens].

The study of blood serum samples obtained from 187 patients with chronic brucellosis revealed that in those cases when blood serum contained specific antibrucella antibodies cross reactions with Y. enterocolitica 0-9 antigen occurred in the agglutination test and Coombs' test. The results thus obtained showed that Y. enterocolitica 0-9 antigen could be used for detecting mainly 2-mercaptoethanol-sensitive complete and incomplete antibodies (IgM). This study indicates that serological cross reactions play an important role in the evaluation of the specific methods for diagnosing brucellosis.