Seropositivity of brucellosis in Malatya, Turkey

Abstract

A considerable number of the population of Malatya is composed of farmers who usually make cheese using unboiled milk. Since these conditions may have a certain effect on the distribution of brucellosis, this study was aimed at determining the prevalence of Brucella infection in this city. A total 3,097 serum samples were examined for detection of Brucella antibodies. Of these, 245 serum samples were collected from butchers (Group I) and 2,852 serum samples (Group II) from other assorted individuals these were submitted to our laboratory for routine serological test, including Brucella agglutination tests. The non-butcher group included individuals whose previous contact with domestic animals was unknown. The Rose Bengal and the standard tube agglutination test were used. Seropositivity was found to be 2.86% and 1.61% in Group I and Group II individuals, respectively. Concerning sex, positive results were found in 1.56% of the males and 1.80% of the females. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in Brucella agglutinin levels between Group I and Group II, nor between male and female indivuduals (p>0.05). Among the positive sera, 2 out of 7 serum samples in Group I (28.6%) and 28 out of 46 sera in Group II (60.9%) had a Brucella antibody titer equal to or greater than 1:160. It is obvious from this study that occupation and sex have no marked influence on the level of Brucella antibodies in Malatya, which has a low prevalence of brucellosis.