Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonosis disease caused by Brucella. The burden of human brucellosis in Kurdistan province was 83.5 cases per 100.000 people; occupying the second place of point of infection rate in Iran. This study aims at evaluating the seroepidemiology of brucellosis among high-risk groups in comparison with the rest of population in Sanandaj city. The data is collected using a questionnaire. Blood samples were randomly obtained from 1541 persons (130 persons of the high-risk groups and 1411 persons of the remaining population). After serum extraction, standard agglutination test (SAT), anti-human globulin (Coombs') test (AHGT) and 2-Mercapto ethanol (2-ME) test were performed. Agglutination tests in high-risk groups and other people of the population was negative in 80.7 and 85.9% of cases respectively, and positive antibody in two population categories were found in 19.3 and 14.1% respectively. This study showed that the high-risk groups exposed to direct contact with livestock are vulnerable to the infection. In addition, to regular vaccination of livestock, proper sanitary methods should be seriously followed by the people who are in direct contact with animals. Administrating of bio-safety measures is recommended, and precautions considerations in personal vaccine should be designed and used.

Key words: Brucellosis, Serology, Ranchers, Butchers, Slaughterhouse workers, High-risk groups.