Looking Again at the Diagnosis of Brucellosis Difficulties in Iran

Abstract

Based on the frequently reports, final diagnosis of brucellosis is facing delay problem. Significant percentage of hospitalized patients has been under unspecified and mostly single treatment. Therefore laboratory evidence and use of highly sensitive methods have an important role in final diagnosis. The increasing of brucellosis in recent years is due to increasing livestock infections and insufficient coverage of vaccination; we should also consider absence of active supervision on the distribution of livestock products specifically in local manufacturers and inefficient diagnostic procedures. Lack of coordination between responsible and decision-making centers such as subsidiaries of Ministry of Health and Agriculture has an important role. Unfortunately, despite the publication of numerous scientific papers, especially in the field of epidemiology, no clear picture of the status of brucellosis has been presented by the responsible authorities in Iran. In this study, we tried to look at the situation of brucellosis in Iran and to find out more about the limitations and advantages of each method by describing the diagnostic properties of each method. The aim of this study is to provide routine diagnosis limitations and errors to undertake necessary revision in diagnostic measures, in particular at the health labs level.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Trend in the Incidence of Human Brucellosis in Iran from 2009 to 2017

“…The failure to use molecular methods or other diagnostic techniques in many medical centers and laboratories across the country further complicates the diagnosis of the disease. Other than the absence of appropriate and alternative verification methods, there are limiting diagnostic factors, such as the low quality of kits available in the market and the absence of a comprehensive seroepidemiologic study that can determine the diagnostic level of specific antibodies through serological techniques 16 , 17 .…”