Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Human brucellosis from a tertiary care hospital setting in Central India

Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease and has public health importance. In the present study, we studied the prevalence and associated risk factors of human brucellosis in the central Indian population from tertiary care health settings. A prospective observational study was conducted from March 2015 to February 2018 in patients attending the outpatient department (OPD) of Central India Institute of Medical Sciences (CIIMS), Nagpur. A total of 7026 individuals suspected of brucellosis were recruited based on prespecified inclusion criteria, additional risk factors, and clinical symptoms. Baseline, demographic and clinical characteristics were likewise recorded. Sera samples from recruited individuals were collected and subjected to anti-brucellosis antibody (IgM) detection using a commercial kit by ELISA assay. The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis reported from tertiary care health settings was 11% (772/7026). The majority of positive cases were from the states Madhya Pradesh (58.1%), followed by (Maharashtra (38.8%) and Chhattisgarh (2.9%). Adult age (20-60) and female groups were more vulnerable. Clinical symptoms like fever, arthralgia, and myalgia risk factors like animal exposure, consumption of raw milk, vegetable, and meat were significantly associated with brucellosis in the recruited population. Among the positive cases, high seroprevalence was associated with animal handlers (66.8%) compared to other occupationally exposed groups. The present study shows a high seroprevalence of brucellosis in health care settings. We emphasize regular screening of the disease in clinical settings to develop epidemiological data and initiate appropriate control measures.