[Seroepidemiological study of brucellosis in a rural endemic area].
BACKGROUND
This study investigated the prevalence of Brucella spp. antibodies in the general population in the Health Area of Tremp (Region of Pallars Jussà, Lleida). It also identified the risk factors with the presence of these.


METHODS
A total of 346 (191 men and 155 women) were studied. Information about the sex, age, location, the personal and familiar antecedents of brucellosis, occupational risk, contact with the animals and the consumption of non-hygienic dairy products was recorded. The estimation of the seroprevalence was carried out by the ELISA IgG test. The association of independent variables with the presence of antibodies was assessed by the Coombs to Brucella and the ELISA IgG tests. It was assessed by using the calculation of the analysis variance.


RESULTS
The personal antecedents, the contact with the animals and the occupational risk all showed a statistically significant relation (p < 0.05) with the Coombs and ELISA IgG tests. The familiar antecedents showed a significant relation with the ELISA IgG. The consumption of dairy products and the location showed no statistically significant relation. A seroprevalence was obtained among the researched population of 11.9%, the maximum occurred in Isona surgery (25.6%) and the minimum in Tremp (9.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
The seroprevalence is high and the epidemiological profile associated with the fact of being seropositive is associated with the profession of the study subject and it coincides with de infection mechanisms present in the area.
Serra
J
J
Servei d'Anàlisis Clíniques, Hospital Comarcal del Pallars, Tremp, Lleida. emaluque@pie.xtec.es
Pujol
R
R
Godoy
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013030:Spain
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial