Seroprevalence of Brucella among Patients Visiting a Single-Center Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Brucellosis is a disease that can be contracted by humans through contact with infected animals or animal products. It can be transmitted through contaminated dairy products, so caution must be exercised when handling and preparing food. By taking precautions, the spread of this disease can be mitigated to protect both humans and animals. (1) Brucella spp is a type of bacteria that can cause an infection. The symptoms of this infection can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe complications that affect different parts of the body. Because Brucella is able to invade the body and avoid the immune system, it's important to get an accurate diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible. (2). (3)  Method: The study was conducted at Kalkaal Hospital from 2019 to 2023, spanning three years. Patients who went to the hospital's Outpatient department and were screened for Brucella were included in the study. Data on patients' demographics, including their residence, gender, age, and Brucella screening results, were collected and recorded over the study period. The participants' blood samples were gathered and analyzed for Brucella infection through a variety of diagnostic The clinical assessment included an examination of symptoms, medical history, and possible exposure to Brucella. To detect specific antibodies (IgM and IgG) against Brucella present in the blood serum, serological tests such as the Serum Agglutination Test (SAT), ELISA, and Rose Bengal Test were conducted. The blood samples were analyzed to identify the Brucella bacteria through blood cultures. In addition, the presence of Brucella DNA was confirmed in various clinical samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The Kalkaal Hospital Research Review Board gave approval for the study protocol. Data cleaning was carried out with the help of Excel. The analysis of data was performed using SPSS software version 25.  Results: According to the analysis of the data, 30.3% of patients were men, and 69.7% of patients were women. The age ranges were 0–19: 1245 (8.1%), 20–29: 3951 (25.7%), 30-39: 3027 (19.7%), 40–49: 1786 (11.6%), and 50+: 4582. (29.9 percent). In addition, 14884 (97.0%) of the outcomes were negative, while only 465 (3.0%) were positive.  Conclusion: The research carried out at Kalkaal Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, has revealed important information about the prevalence of Brucella infection in the area. The results suggest that a significant number of patients have tested positive for Brucella antibodies, which indicates that the disease is a significant burden on the local population. These findings add to the global knowledge of brucellosis and emphasize its severe and long-term effects. It is important for experts in this field to have further discussions and come to a consensus on how to address this issue.