Childhood brucellosis in Jordan: prevalence and analysis of risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the seroprevalence of childhood brucellosis in Jordan and to elucidate risk factors associated with seropositivity to Brucella.


METHODS
Between January 2001 and October 2006, a cross-sectional study of children aged < or = 15 years was conducted; a total of 1282 serum samples were collected. Serum samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to Brucella antigens using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and a direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Risk factors associated with seropositivity to Brucella antigens were identified by constructing a multivariate logistic regression model.


RESULTS
Of the 1282 serum samples tested, 119 (9.3%) were positive by both RBPT and ELISA tests. When adjusted for the sensitivities and specificities of the two tests, the true seroprevalence was 11.6%. The seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in Ma'an and Mafraq governorates was significantly higher than in the other governorates. The logistic regression model identified male gender (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4, 4.1), age older than 10 years (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1, 3.9), living in a village (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3, 2.9), and assisting in raising small ruminants (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1, 2.6) as risk factors for childhood Brucella seropositivity in Jordan.


CONCLUSIONS
This study documents the importance of brucellosis in children and further emphasizes the role of small ruminants as an important source for human infection.
Al-Majali
Ahmad M
AM
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. almajali@just.edu.jo
Shorman
Mahmoud
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000382:microbiology; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002002:Brucella / Q000276:immunology*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012395:Rose Bengal; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D012395:Rose Bengal