Brucellosis Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT)
The Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) is a quick screening test that looks for Brucella abortus antibodies in the serum of cows and buffaloes. A positive result is normally confirmed with another test before any decision is made.
- Sample
- Serum
- Quantity
- As advised
- Report
- Confirmed when you book
- Collection
- Free in Bhopal
What this test checks
- Antibodies to Brucella abortus in the serum of cows and buffaloes
- Whether visible clumping (agglutination) appears when serum is mixed with rose bengal antigen
- A positive or negative screening result that guides further testing
Benefits of this test
- Gives a quick screening result for brucellosis in cows and buffaloes.
- Useful for herd checks and for checking animals before purchase.
- Can help your vet decide which animals need a confirmatory test.
- Needs only a small serum sample.
- Supports disease control work under veterinary and government guidance.
When your vet may advise it
- A cow or buffalo that aborted, especially in late pregnancy.
- Retained placenta, weak calves or repeat breeding in the herd.
- Before buying new animals or adding them to the herd.
- Routine herd screening, as your vet or the animal husbandry department advises.
- A bull with swollen testicles, or a herd with fertility problems.
About this test
Brucellosis is a bacterial infection of cows and buffaloes caused by Brucella abortus. It is a common cause of abortion in late pregnancy, and it can also cause retained placenta (the afterbirth not coming out), weak calves, poor fertility, a drop in milk and swollen joints. In bulls it can affect the testicles. Infected animals pass large numbers of bacteria in aborted material, birth fluids and milk. Brucellosis can pass to people, so wear gloves when handling aborted calves, the afterbirth or samples, wash your hands well and see a doctor if you feel unwell.
The RBPT is a quick plate test. A drop of the animal's serum is mixed on a white plate or card with Brucella antigen stained pink with rose bengal dye. If antibodies to Brucella are present, the mixture forms small clumps, which is called agglutination. Because it is simple and fast, the RBPT is widely used to screen cows and buffaloes, for example before buying animals, during herd checks or after an abortion. It is a screening test, which means it is meant to sort out the animals that need further testing.
A positive RBPT does not prove that an animal has brucellosis. Positive animals are normally confirmed with another test, such as the standard tube agglutination test or an ELISA, chosen by your vet. Animals vaccinated against brucellosis can also react. A negative result does not always rule out infection, especially early in the infection. Positive animals are handled under veterinary and government guidance. A registered veterinarian reads the result with the animal's history, vaccination status, signs and other tests.
How to prepare
No fasting is needed; blood is taken into a plain tube for serum, and tell the vet about any brucellosis vaccination and recent abortions in the herd. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.
Reading the result
A registered veterinarian reads the RBPT result with the animal's history, vaccination status and signs. A positive result is a screening result only and is normally confirmed with another test, such as STAT or ELISA. Vaccinated animals can react. A negative result makes infection less likely but may miss early infection. Positive animals are handled under veterinary and government guidance.
Questions about RBPT
What is the RBPT test for brucellosis?
Does a positive RBPT mean my cow has brucellosis?
Can brucellosis spread from cows and buffaloes to people?
Where can I get a brucellosis test for cattle in Bhopal?
Before you book this test
Why this notice: so you know, before you book, how a test is done, what its limits are and who is responsible.
- Where it is tested. Some tests are done wholly or partly by an independent partner laboratory. The lab tells you before booking if this test is sent out, and the report names the laboratory that did it.
- What a result can and cannot tell you. No test is right every time. A normal result does not rule out every disease, and an abnormal result does not prove one. A registered veterinarian should read the report with the animal’s signs and history before any treatment is started, changed or stopped.
- The sample. A sample that is clotted, too small, wrongly labelled, leaking or too old may be rejected or reported with a note, and the lab may ask for a fresh one.
- Reporting time. Confirmed when you book. Times are estimates, not guarantees, and the lab confirms the time when you book.
- Emergencies. A booking or a pending report must not delay urgent care. If an animal has collapsed, struggles to breathe, has fits or bleeds heavily, call a veterinarian at once.
Please read our Terms of Service, Medical Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Refund and Cancellation Policy. Pashupatinath Vet Lab is operated by Duaji Healthcare and Tech Private Limited. This page is general information and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice.
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Brucellosis in Herds: Testing, Safety and What to Tell the Vet
Brucellosis is a herd disease that causes abortion in cows and buffaloes and can pass to people through birth fluids and raw milk. Blood antibody tests, a milk ring test and RT-PCR help a vet find it, and gloves and washing protect the people handling the animals.
18 Oct 2026