Serological and molecular investigation of brucellosis among high-risk people in Shahrekord city in 1400

Brucellosis is one of the five common infectious diseases between humans and animals, caused by contamination with Brucella. Since farmers, students, veterinary medicine staff, and slaughterhouse personnel are considered to be at risk of contamination with this bacterium, it is necessary to estimate the prevalence of the disease in these individuals. This study was conducted on 300 people with high occupational risk (farmers, veterinary staff, veterinary students, slaughterhouse personnel) in Shahrekord City, Iran. Blood serum samples were evaluated using Rose Bengal, Wright, Combs Wright, 2ME, and PCR tests. People's profile was recorded by questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Sigma stat 4 statistical software by McNemart test. The results of the Rose Bengal test showed that out of 300 samples, 46 (15.3%) had a positive reaction, but in the Wright test, 24 (8%) showed a positive reaction with a titer of 1.80 or higher. Wright's test revealed that 12.5% of farmers, 10% of slaughterhouse workers, 5.7% of veterinary staff, and 2% of veterinary students had positive titers against Brucella. In the 2ME test, the rates of positive cases (1:40 and more) among farmers were 8.8%, slaughterhouse workers 7.5%, veterinary staff 5%, and veterinary students 2%. DNA extraction and PCR tests on serum samples showed that 7.5% of farmers, 6.3% of slaughterhouse workers, 5% of veterinary staff, and 2% of veterinary students had the Brucella bacterium genome in their blood serum. The statistical test results showed a significant agreement between the results of the 2ME and PCR tests (P<0.01). According to the results of the present study, the prevalence of brucellosis among farmers, slaughterhouse workers, and butchers was higher than among other groups at risk. There is a close agreement between the results of 2ME and PCR tests; therefore, the PCR can be used as a valid test to diagnose brucellosis.