Medical & Clinical Research

Author(s): Azhar Ali Sekhi

The current study conducted to estimating the prevalence of acute and chronic cases of human brucellosis with detect the association of infection to some epidemiological risk factors. Totally, 276 individuals of different ages, sexes and residences were selected and subjected to sampling of blood that tested qualitatively by ELISA targeting anti-brucella IgM and IgG antibodies to detect of acutely and chronically infected cases, respectively. The results revealed an overall 17.39% acute and 43.12% chronic infected individuals. Concerning severity of infection, there were 47.92%, 33.33%, and 18.75% mild, moderate and severe acute infections, respectively; while chronically, there were 68.07%, 20.17%, and 11.76%, respectively. Relation to socio-demographic factors, the findings of acute infections showed a significant increase in rates of positivity and relative risk in populations aged 20-50 years old than those of ≤ 20 years and ≥ 51 years; females more than males, and in those inhabitants rural than urban areas. Regarding chronic infection, significant higher values were recorded in individuals of 20-50 and ≥ 51 years old than those of ≤ 20 years old; however, individuals of 20-50 years old appeared having greatest risk than ≥ 51 years and ≤ 20 years. Also, females were showed a significant increase in positivity and risk than males, and rural individuals more than urban areas. In conclusion, there was a remarkable increase in prevalence of acute and chronic brucellosis in study areas; therefore, population education, early diagnosis, population medication and medical precautions are especially important to prevent the harmful effects of the disease and its complications.