Abstract. The diagnostic value of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was evaluated when blood specimens of 92 patients suspected of brucellosis underwent the ELISA (IgM and IgG), standard tube agglutination (SAT) , and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) tests and blood cultures; 38 sera from non-brucellosis patients and 34 sera from blood donors were also subjected to ELISA, SAT, and 2 -ME tests. SAT was able to pinpoint only 23 (25%), whereas ELISA confirmed the etiology in 56 (60.9%; P < 0.001) patients with brucellosis, including 31 culture-confirmed cases. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 100% and 71.31%, respectively. Because they were confirmed by ELISA, the diagnosis could never be excluded with SAT in 33 cases. ELISA has been found to be more sensitive in acute (28% higher sensitivity; P < 0.02) and chronic (55% higher sensitivity; P < 0.01) cases. For accurate diagnosis in suspected brucellosis cases detection, we recommend both ELISA IgM and IgG tests. ELISA IgG and 2 -ME tests seem to be promising tools in judging prognosis.

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Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a public health problem in India. Timely intervention, correct treatment, and referral service can save many deaths, particularly pneumonia. Objective: This study aimed to study the sociodemographic and clinical profile of children hospitalized with pneumonia and its relation to the duration of stay at a tertiary care center at Belgaum district, Karnataka. Methodology: The study was conducted in Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences, a referral hospital, during 2013-2015.  Sociodemographic and clinical features of children aged from more than 2 months to 18 years of age were studied. A total of 84 children who met the inclusion criteria for community-acquired pneumonia were studied. The patient population comprises mainly of the low-income group from rural areas, urban slums, referred patients from surrounding rural areas, and private clinics. Results: A total of 84 children were studied, 48 boys and 36 girls. Maximum numbers of children were in low socioeconomic group (43 in upper lower and 37 in lower group) according to modified Kuppuswamy classification. Passive smoking was present in 40.5% of studied and overcrowding was seen in 51% of children studied. 44% of children were breastfed for <6 months, and 30.64% were partially immunized. There is a significant association between passive smoking, delayed medical attention, and duration of stay. Conclusion: With this study, we can conclude that children who got early medical attention (<4 days) stayed for less period of time in the hospital (<7 days). Children exposed to passive smoking had a longer duration of stay.