Epidemiological study of brucellosis (Malta fever) in the city of Torbat Jam from 2017 to 2022

Abstract

Introduction: Brucellosis, a globally prevalent disease, affects both humans and animals, with notable significance in Iran. While the severity and mortality of this disease are rare, it poses a substantial economic burden due to reduced productivity and livestock abortion. Torbat Jam city has a high prevalence of brucellosis in the region, necessitating an investigation into its epidemiological aspects. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of brucellosis in Torbat Jam city. Materials and Methods: This study examined 5366 cases of brucellosis in the city of Torbat Jam from 2017 to 2022. A comprehensive checklist encompassing variables, such as age, gender, place of residence, occupation, season, history of contact with infected animals, consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, and vaccination history was used for data collection. The t-test was used to compare the means of two groups, while the chi-square test was employed to assess the relationship between categorical variables and grouped numerical variables. A significance level of 0.05 was considered in this study. Results: A total of 5366 cases of Malta fever were analyzed in this study, with male patients comprising 50.40% and female patients accounting for 49.60% of the cases. The mean age of the patients during the study period was 33.18±18.81 years. Brucellosis onset occurred at an average age of 35.39±18.03 years in males and 30.96±19.01 years in females, with a statistically significant difference (P value <0.01). The youngest reported case of brucellosis was 1 year old, while the oldest was 101 years old. The highest disease occurrence (60.8%) was observed in the age group of 15-50 years, with a higher prevalence observed in both genders within this age group. Conclusion: The city of Torbat Jam is considered a high-risk area in terms of brucellosis prevalence. Factors such as rural living, contact with animals and consumption of unpasteurized dairy products significantly contribute to the disease’s spread in these regions. The results underscore the insufficient public awareness regarding brucellosis transmission and prevention, highlighting the urgent need for educational programs to enhance knowledge and awareness among individuals in these areas.