Abstract
Brucellosis is an anthropozoonotic disease with an important public health impact. Although the transmission of Brucella from animals to humans can occur in different epidemiological settings of sub-Saharan African countries, little data has been published on human brucellosis. This study aimed to detect Brucella antibodies and the risk factors associated to brucellosis among high-risk occupational groups of people in the Noun Division of Cameroon. For this study, a structured questionnaire was used to assess risk factors associated with human brucellosis. Thereafter, blood samples were collected from high-risk occupational groups of people in four villages. Plasma was extracted from each sample and Brucella antibodies were detected using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (i-ELISA). Of the 273 participants enrolled, the overall seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies was 12.45% with RBPT and 10.26% with i-ELISA test. This seroprevalence was significantly (P = 0.04; X2 = 9.73) higher among livestock herdsmen (15.8%), slaughterhouse workers (9.8%), butchers (4.8%), participants having no educational level (14.3%) and those experiencing above 5 years of risky activity (15%). Raw milk consumption (OR: 4.8; P = 0.001), no formal education (OR: 6.4; P = 0.03) and assistance of animal during parturition (OR: 7.2; P < 0.0001) appeared as factors that may increase the risk of Brucella infections. The detection of Brucella antibodies indicates the risk of human brucellosis in some groups of people of the Noun division. Consuming unpasteurized milk, participating in parturition and lacking knowledge on brucellosis appeared as risk factors associated with human brucellosis in western Cameroon. It raises the need of developing and implementing control measures for human and animal brucellosis.
Highlights
Brucellosis is an infectious and contagious zoonotic disease classified among the top seven neglected bacterial disease of both humans and animals [1] [2]
The transmission of Brucella from animals to humans can occur in different epidemiological settings of sub-Saharan African countries, little data has been published on human brucellosis
Of the 273 participants enrolled in this study, 186 (68.13%) were from Foumban, 54 (19.8%) from Koutaba, 21 (7.7%) from Magba and 12 (4.4%) from Massangam (Table 1)
Summary
Brucellosis is an infectious and contagious zoonotic disease classified among the top seven neglected bacterial disease of both humans and animals [1] [2] It is caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Different Brucella species, including Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucella suis, Brucella ovis and Brucella canis, are responsible for brucellosis in animals and humans [3]. These bacteria are transmitted to humans through the consumption of infected and unpasteurized dairy products or by direct contact with infected animal secretions and excreta [4]. As a neglected zoonotic disease, less attention is given to it by scientists and stakeholders, especially in low-income countries [5]
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