title: Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with brucellosis as a professional hazard in Pakistan.
abstract: The present study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and identify risk factors associated with brucellosis in humans at high risk in the Potohar plateau of northeastern Pakistan. A total of 262 serum samples were collected from persons of different occupational groups: veterinary personnel, milkers, abattoir workers, livestock farmers, and others (drivers, security guards, housewives). Data related to gender, age, occupation, contact with animals, brucellosis-related symptoms, consumption of raw milk, and geographical region were collected. The Rose Bengal plate test and the serum agglutination test were performed to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis. The overall seroprevalence was found to be 6.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.1, 10.6). Real-time polymerase chain reaction assay showed that all cases were affected by Brucella abortus. Individuals who consumed raw milk had higher odds of brucellosis seropositivity. This is the first report of human brucellosis related to B. abortus in high-risk professionals from Pakistan by the combined use of serological and molecular methods.
authors.affiliation: Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University-PMAS-AAUR, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. shahzaduaar772@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Shahzad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Qurban
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Neubauer
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Melzer
authors.forename: Mandy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elschner
authors.forename: Iahtasham
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Emmanuel Nji
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Abatih
authors.forename: Nemat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ullah
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irfan
authors.forename: Shamim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhter
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000328:Adult; D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002003:Brucella abortus / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003612:Dairying; D005260:Female; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk / Q000382:microbiology; D058889:Molecular Typing; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014730:Veterinary Medicine; D000078329:Workforce; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology