MOLECULAR DETECTION OF HUMAN BRUCELLOSIS IN IRAQI POPULATION

Abstract

Brucellosis, Undulant fever, Mediterranean fever or Malta fever is different wards for one disease which is an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Brucella , that are almost invariably transmitted by direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their products. Additionally, human brucellosis has a serious medical impact worldwide, which affects people of all age groups and of both sexes. The eradication poses major difficulties because this disease is largely under diagnosed and underreported. Furthermore, brucellosis in human beings is rarely fatal; it can be severely debilitating and disabling. A renewed scientific interest in human brucellosis has been fuelled by its recent re-emergence and enhanced surveillance in many areas of the world because of regarding the disease as a class B bioterrorist agent and remains the world’s most common bacterial zoonosis. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the period from March, 2013 to March, 2014 to estimate seroprevalence of brucellosis and identify risk factors associated with human Brucella infections in Al-Najaf province (n=523) .Samples were collected from both sexes and between (16 -47) years of age with clinical symptoms suggestive of brucellosis such as fever, sweating, myalgia ,weakness and among intimate contact history with individuals who were infected or their family members are infected with brucellosis . Blood divided into parts , one for serum perpetrated .Sera were screened for presence of anti-Brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and positive samples were confirmed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) both IgM 8 IgG .Another part anti-coagulant one used for Real-time PCR (Rt-PCR). Seroprevalence was estimated were 172(32, 9%), 351 (67 %) and 90(25,6 %) by RBPT, IgG –ELISA and IgM -ELISA respectively. Ninety samples that positive results in RBPT, IgG, IgM –ELISA were taken for Rt-PCR to confirm the diagnosis of Brucella , only 35 (38,9%) were recorded positive and compared to the Apparently healthy Control group (90). However , this distribution was found to be statistically significant (p=0.001). Seroprevalence no different according to sex which having seroprevalence (54 %) compared to males (43%). Differently, seroprevalence varied according to age groups, with the age category 16-25 years recording the highest (61%). The study recorded relatively low Brucella seroprevalence in rural area recorded 70 (38.9%), compared to the urban area recorded 110(61%). That suggested may be due to persistence involve multiple social and ecological factors like varies geographic regions; management factors; population density; biological features such as immunity as well as the randomly usage of antibiotic lead to the high levels of antibiotic resistance.