RESUMEN
Human brucellosis is a major bacterial zoonosis reported worldwide. It is mainly an occupational disease reported in farmers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers, animal handlers and meat inspectors. Unavailability of automated blood culture systems makes isolation difficult and diagnosis mainly depends on serological and molecular methods. Materials and Methods: In a prospective study, a total of 127 serum samples, 28 from pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) cases and 99 from high risk cases like veterinary personnel, butchers, nomads, farmers and gawalas, were serologically tested by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and enzyme-linked immumosorbent assay (ELISA) and results were analyzed. Results: Out of 127 samples, 20 were tested positive by RBPT while 24 tested positive by ELISA. None of the PUO cases and veterinary personnel tested positive by RBPT or ELISA. Positivity was more among males, urban area, history of animal contact and consumption of raw milk. ELISA was found to be more sensitive and specific than RBPT. Conclusion: In our study significant prevalence of brucellosis was found among occupationally exposed persons. Most of the positive cases were found to be asymptomatic and those who were symptomatic had non-specific complaints. The findings signified silent presence of disease in our society. RBPT can be used as a rapid screening test in the peripheral resource poor labs and in absence of culture ELISA can be used for further confirmation.
RESUMEN
Background: It is usually difficult to diagnose brucellosis clinically in the absence of specific clinical features. Hence serological testing forms the mainstay of diagnosing the disease. Seroepidemiological determinants of brucellosis in rural western Maharashtra have not been closely investigated. Aim: The present study was therefore conducted to determine the incidence and to analyze seroepidemiological determinants of Brucellosis in cases of pyrexia of unknown origin (POU) in rural western Maharashtra. Material and methods: The present hospital based cross sectional survey was carried out in Rural Medical College, Loni on 500 cases of PUO. SPSS version 20.0 was used for analysis. The serum samples were subjected to serological tests like Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT). The inoculated agar plates were watched daily for the presence of growth Brucella on culture. Results: Males (51.6%) outnumbered females (48.4%) in the study sample. Out of 500 cases 10 samples showed the presence of Brucella agglutinins. The male female ratio in the seropositive cases was 2.33:1. Headache and joint pain was observed in 5 and 3 cases respectively. 50% samples yielded the growth of Brucella on culture. All the culture positive samples had titer of 640 IU or more. Conclusion: Agglutination test if properly performed can be used as a very dependable laboratory procedure for rapid diagnosis of Brucellosis.