The Evaluation of Seroprevalence of Brucellosis in Patients Refering to Health Care Center of Gonbad Kavoos, 2009-11

Background and Brucellosis is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in Iran that is shared between humans and animals and is caused by species of Brucella. The present study aims to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in people suspicious of brucellosis referred to the Health Care Center of Gonbad during 2009-11. In this cross-sectional study, blood specimen was taken from patients and their serum was separated. Rose Bengal antigens, antigens of Brucella abortus strain 19 and 2ME buffer were prepared and Rose Bengal test was performed on all sera. In positive cases, to determine antibody titr, tube Wright and 2ME were performed (1.80 ≤ were considered positive). Of 318, 42 (13.2%) were positive, among whom were 20 women (47.6%) and 22 males (52.4%). Having conducted the Rose Bengal test 46 (14.5%), tube Wright (1.80 ≤) 42 (13.2%) and 2ME (1.80 ≤) 34 cases (7.10%) were proved to be positive. The rate of Seroprevalence in the study area is indicative of high incidence of the disease. It seems a large number of communities due to lifestyle (close contact with pets and consumption of unpasteurized dairy products) are exposed to pollution. Because of occupational nature of the disease in the region, vaccination, patient care, overseeing the slaughter of livestock and the use of pasteurized dairy products are recommended.