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Seroprevalence of brucellosis among exposed agro-pastoral communities in southern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ahmed M. Al-Hakami , Abdulah J. Alqahtani, Riyad A. Moos, Sultan K. Kadasah, Talal Y. Gofashe, Amer F. Binzafrah, Abdulrahman M. Almobt, Ihab Abdulrahim, Abdullah M. Alkahtani, Shehata F. Shehata, Mohamed E. Hamid
Number of views: 165
Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in human and animal’s
communities in southern Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional sero-epidemiological study was conducted in Aseer and Jazan,
Saudi Arabia (October 2017-October 2018). Human serum samples (n=339) were initially
screened for Brucella antibodies and positive samples were further titrated for Brucella
antibodies by immunocapture assay (titer of 曒 1:320 as positive). Animal samples (n=828)
were screened using the Rose Bengal test. Relationship status was dichotomized to measure
and predict independent contributions to variations in human using univariate and multivariate
stepwise binary logistic regression model.
Results: The rate of brucellosis among the 339 human samples in the two regions was
33.9%, and the rate of acute brucellosis was 12.4%. The rate of brucellosis in animals was
4.7%. Human brucellosis among the target groups was higher in northwestern Aseer (53.3%)
compared to Southeastern Aseer (25.9%) and Jazan region (20.6%). The disease was more
prevalent among non-Saudi nationals (35.2%) compared to Saudis (30.5%). The rate of
brucellosis among butchers and shepherds was 37.5% and 37.2%, respectively. The rate of
brucellosis was 37.8% in people over 30 years of age. Our univariate analysis showed that
residing in Aseer region (OR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.50-4.40), especially residing in northwestern
Aseer region (OR: 4.40, 95% CI: 2.40-7.90), frequent consumption of raw meat (OR: 2.90,
95% CI: 1.50-5.50), shepherds (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 0.80-5.30), owning sheep (OR: 2.20, 95%
CI: 1.10-4.40), daily contact with animals (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 0.75-5.80), and those > 30-
year-old (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.00-2.40) were significantly associated with increased risks of
brucellosis. Our multivariate analysis further showed that residing in northwestern Aseer (OR:
9.16, 95% CI: 3.39-24.76) and having sheep (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.00-1.35) were significant
and independent risks of brucellosis while residing in agricultural region (OR: 0.28, 95% CI:
0.10-0.78) was a significant and independent protector against brucellosis.
Conclusions: The study concluded that residing in northwestern Aseer area and having
animals (sheep) are associated with significantly increased risks of brucellosis.