Human brucellosis among pyrexia of unknown origin cases and occupationally exposed individuals in Goa Region, India.
BACKGROUND
Brucellosis is a widespread zoonotic infection. This disease is endemic in many parts of Asia, including India. Brucellosis is a major cause of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO). Persons exposed to infected animals or contaminated animal products are at high risk. Seropositivity among animal handlers, veterinarians and dairy workers has been documented in India. Thus, the present study was aimed to determine prevalence of brucellosis among PUO cases and occupationally exposed individuals.


METHODS
In this study, serum samples (n=282) from cases of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) (n=243), and occupationally exposed individuals (n=39) were collected and tested for brucellosis by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), indirect ELISA, IgG and IgM ELISA. Blood culture for isolation of Brucella was performed for 10 serologically positive patients using BACTEC 9050 automated blood culture system. Biochemical tests and PCR techniques were used for confirmation of the isolates.


RESULTS
Of the samples tested, 4.25%, 3.54%, 6.02% and 4.96% samples were positive by RBPT, SAT, indirect ELISA and IgG ELISA, respectively. None of the sample was positive for IgM ELISA. Of the 10 blood samples cultured bacteriologically, one Brucella isolate was recovered. The isolate was confirmed as Brucella abortus. Amplification of the bcsp31 and IS711 genes was also observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Seropositivity for brucellosis was observed among PUO cases, animal handlers and dairy workers in Goa, India. The serological tests showed variable results. One Brucella isolate was obtained by performing blood culture. Confirmation of the case was done rapidly using molecular tools. General awareness about clinical symptoms should be increased which will improve proper diagnosis within short time frame.
Department of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Old Goa, India.
Ajay D
AD
Pathak
Department of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Old Goa, India.
Zunjar B
ZB
Dubal
Department of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Old Goa, India.
Swapnil
S
Doijad
Department of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Old Goa, India.
Abhay
A
Raorane
Department of Microbiology, Goa Medical College, Bambolim, India.
Savio
S
Rodrigues
Royal Hospital, Madgaon, India.
Rajeshwar
R
Naik
Royal Hospital, Madgaon, India.
Shraddha
S
Naik-Gaonkar
Department of Microbiology and Animal Biotechnology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, India.
Dewanand R
DR
Kalorey
Department of Microbiology and Animal Biotechnology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, India.
Nitin V
NV
Kurkure
Royal Hospital, Madgaon, India.
Rajesh
R
Naik
Department of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Old Goa, India; barbuddhesb@yahoo.com.
Sukhadeo B
SB
Barbuddhe
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002002:Brucella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003612:Dairying / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012395:Rose Bengal
D015415:Biomarkers; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012395:Rose Bengal
ELISA; India; PCR; brucellosis; culture; human; serology