OCCUPATIONAL BRUCELLOSIS AMONG HIGH RISKY HUMANS DURING THEIR CONTACTS WITH LIVESTOCKS IN BASRAH

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the seroprevalence of antibodies to occupational brucellosis among risky humans who are in contact with domestic animals. Methods: Seroprevalence for occupational brucellosis was done on 33 sera for humans (20 veterinary doctors, 5 veterinary assistants and 8 butchers) and 235 sera for domestic animals (102 sheep, 50 goats and 83 cattle) brought to Basrah slaughter house. Sera were examined by using slide and tube agglutination methods for the presence of antibodies to brucellosis. Results: The overall seropositive for brucellosis was 21.2% among high risky humans in Basrah Province, Iraq. The prevalence rates among veterinary doctors, veterinary assistants and butchers were 15%, 60% and 12.5% respectively. In this study, the overall seroprevalence among domestic animals was 23.4%. However, the positive rate among sheep, goats and cattle was 39.2%, 6%, and 14.5% respectively. Conclusion: Occupational brucellosis remains a major public health problem and one of the zoonotic disease for human beings during their work.