Frequency of seropositive cases of brucella among the family members of brucellosis patients hospitalized in Kashan Beheshti Hospital during 2013-2014

Brucellosis is the most prevalent zoonotic disease. There are reports regarding the brucellosis infection in family members sharing the same risk factors. This study was designed to screen the prevalence of brucellosis among the family members of cases with acute brucellosis.
This cross-sectional study was carried out on family members of 95 acute brucellosis cases (n=239) hospitalized in Kashan Beheshti Hospital during 2013-2014. After taking the informed consent, the blood samples (5 cc) were taken from family members and the brucella agglutination test was done. The least titration value of 1:80 and 1:40 for positive Wright, Coombs Wright and 2ME tests were considered, respectively. A questionnaire containing information about the demographic and past history, signs, and laboratory results of both patients and their family members were completed through interviewing.
Ninety-five and 81 out of 239 family members were considered as brucella affected and seropositive, respectively. The highest risk factor for transmission was the consumption of contaminated dairy, especially fresh cheese. The rate of seropositivity among the family members was 33.9%. Despite the significant correlation between dairy consumption and seropsitvity (P Considering the high rate of seropositivity among family members of brucellosis cases and consumption of fresh cheese as the most common risk factor for transmission, screening the family members and public education to avoid the consumption of unpasteurized dairy is recommended.