Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of brucellosis in human and animals blood

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of global public health concern, with significant impacts on both humans and animals. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in human and animal blood samples, while also identifying key risk factors associated with its transmission. A total of n = 1219 blood samples including 250 from humans and 969 from livestock animals (cow = 212, buffaloes = 282 and goats = 282) were collected in gel-clot activator tubes. Brucella antibodies were analysed through the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA) followed by PCR confirmation of B. abortus and B. melitensis species. Twenty-one human samples (8.4%) were tested positive by RBPT analysis, while 13 samples (5.2%) were reconfirmed by c-ELISA. The disease was highly prevalent (8.5%) (x2 = 4.04; p = 0.04) in people with animals at their homes and those consuming raw milk (12.3%) (x2 = 12.41; 0.001). A total of 139 (14.3%) sera of animals’ origin were found to be positive with RBPT however, c-ELISA reconfirmation gave a seroprevalence of 121 (12.4%). The investigation unveiled the occurrence of B. abortus and B. melitensis as the prevalent species.