The Brucella FPA is an excellent and economical solution for the detection of Brucellosis in cattle. This was proven in a study published by Gimenez and colleagues of the Laboratorio Colón in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Two other Argentinean laboratories have also implemented the technique as a routine screening test. Prionics is the exclusive distributor worldwide for the Brucella FPA test that was originally developed by Diachemix LCC.

A study carried out by the Laboratorio Colón in Argentina compared the FPA to existing Brucellosis tests such as the Tube Serum Agglutination Test (SAT) and 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME) test. With the Brucella FPA, 45% fewer animals were identified positive. Consequently, using the Brucella FPA, unnecessary culling of healthy animals is avoided, lessening the likelihood of economic losses. Gimenez and colleagues also reported that the Brucella FPA test is fast, simple, easy-to-interpret and does not use reagents with a toxic or carcinogenic effect, such as is present using the 2-ME method.
The Argentinean National Service of Animal Health and Food Quality (SENASA) has incorporated the Brucella FPA as a screening and confirmatory test in its program of eradication and control of Brucellosis.
Two other laboratories, Laboratorio Azul and Laboratorio de Diagnostico Bahia Blanca, have also started to use the Brucella FPA for their routine screening for Brucellosis. "In our hands the test is easy and efficient, requiring only one pipetting step per sample. With the help of Prionics Argentina, the implementation of the Brucella FPA in our laboratory was extremely smooth", reported Drs. J. Bardon and J. Cordeviola of Laboratorio Azul. The test has convinced Dr. Luis Alvarez of the Laboratorio Bahia Blanca too: "The Brucella FPA has been of great help to our laboratory, because with this test results are obtained in a more reliable and rapid way compared to the traditional methods. I am confident that the technique will have a broad acceptance in the country cattle sector, it is just a matter of time."

Brucellosis: a dangerous and costly zoonosis
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the Brucella bacteria which can spread to humans via infected animals. The disease has a world-wide prevalence and affects various species, including cattle, swine, sheep, goats and humans. Brucellosis is a serious threat to public health and is responsible for severe economic damage in agriculture and animal husbandry. In ruminants the disease is highly contagious, can cause fetal abortion and decreases animal production value.