article · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis among patients with acute febrile illness in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Researchers collected 446 blood samples, screening them with the Rose Bengal Plat Test (RBPT) and real-time PCR for *Brucella* DNA. Brucellosis was suspected in 10.1% of patients by RBPT, and *Brucella abortus* DNA was detected in 5.8%. Significant risk factors included contact with infected animals, consumption of raw milk, and socioeconomic status. Elderly patients and females were identified as having a higher risk. The findings confirm *Brucella abortus* as an important cause of acute febrile illnesses, aiding the development of effective control strategies.
Brucellosis is a serious animal-borne disease causing severe fever in humans. This study identifies *Brucella abortus* as a significant cause of acute fever in Pakistan, highlighting specific risk factors. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing targeted public health strategies to control the spread of this infection and protect vulnerable populations.
This research provides epidemiological data that can inform public health programmes and clinical guidelines for brucellosis screening and prevention. It highlights specific risk groups, which could lead to targeted health education campaigns or the development of more effective diagnostic protocols. The findings are foundational for public health policy and clinical practice, rather than indicating a near-market product.
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Brucellosis is a zoonosis of great and worldwide public health concern that can cause a severe febrile illness in humans. In Pakistan, brucellosis is a critical problem in both animals and humans. This study aimed to gain insight into its prevalence and to analyze the potential risk factors of patients with acute febrile illness (AFI) of an unknown cause, at the hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in Pakistan. In total, 446 blood samples were collected from patients and screened for brucellosis using the Rose Bengal Plat Test (RBPT). All the serum samples were investigated for <i>Brucella</i> DNA using specific real-time PCR. Age, sex, occupation, urbanicity, socioeconomic status and history of animal contact were recorded and assessed as potential risk factors. The proportion of acute febrile illness patients for whom brucellosis could be suspected was 10.1% by the RBPT. <i>Brucella</i> DNA was detected in 26 (5.8%) cases and identified as <i>B. abortus.</i> Contact with infected animals, consumption of raw milk and socioeconomic status showed a highly significant (<i>p</i> ˂ 0.05) correlation with seropositivity. Elderly patients (19.7% RBPT and 12.1% PCR) and females (13% RBPT and 9.3% PCR) were of high risk of brucellosis. Patients suffering from brucellosis-related manifestations should be screened for brucellosis, especially those in contact with animals or those consuming their unprocessed products, given the increased risk. The results of this study, which highlight that <i>Brucella abortus</i> as an important cause of acute febrile illnesses in humans, aid the development of effective control strategies for human brucellosis in Pakistan.
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DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214071
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