Brucellosis Risk Factors in the Southwestern Province of Khuzestan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis is an endemic infectious disease in Iran. Prevention strategies are based upon identification of risk factors for brucellosis. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the principal risk factors for brucellosis in Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective study, the medical records of 162 admitted patients, 81 brucellosis cases and 81 controls with other unrelated conditions, were reviewed. The study was undertaken in the Razi Hospital, Teheran, I.R. Iran, a university hospital where infected patients throughout Khuzestan are refereed. The diagnostic criteria of the disease were the Wright test and 2-Mercaptoethanol (2ME) agglutinin assay with titers greater than 1:160 and 1:80, respectively, and clinical symptoms compatible with brucellosis. Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS 16.0 software. Univariate analysis was performed by calculating the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) to compare cases and controls for each variable. Results: Of a total of 81 patients with brucellosis, 38 (46.8%) had had direct contact with animals, 47 (58%) had consumed high risk foods, and 48 (59.2%) were from rural areas. Analysis showed that brucellosis had a significant association with untreated milk consumption (OR 5.57, 95% CI = 1.77-17.08, P = 0.002), slaughtered meat (OR: 8.77, 95% CI = 1.07-71.81, P = 0.03), direct contact with animals and individuals who had a nomadic lifestyle (OR: 3.57, 95% CI = 1.34-9.54, P = 0.01). Conclusions: In the studied region, the main risk factors for brucellosis are: consumption of untreated milk/dairy products, slaughtered meat and direct contact with animals. Therefore, improved veterinary services and public health education are a requisite to control the disease.

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