Seroprevalence of human brucellosis in a rural area of Western Anatolia, Turkey.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of human
\nbrucellosis and identify the potential risk factors in a rural area of
\nWestern Anatolia, Turkey. A simple random-sampling method was used for
\nidentifying 1,052 subjects for the study. Blood samples, collected from
\nall the subjects, were studied following the methods of Rose Bengal
\nslide agglutination and standard tube agglutination tests. One thousand
\nand one samples (95.2%) were seronegative, and 51 (4.8%) were
\nseropositive. There was a statistically significant correlation between
\nseropositivity and age, sex, consuming fresh cheese and cream made from
\nunboiled milk (p values 0.005, 0.019, <0.001, and <0.001
\nrespectively). Seropositivity was not related to educational level
\n(0.270). It is concluded that pasteurization of milk and dairy products
\nand education regarding eating habits must be pursued for eradication
\nof human brucellosis from rural areas. The findings of the study
\nsuggest that human brucellosis is still an important public-health
\nproblem in the western Anatolia region of Turkey, especially in rural
\nareas.