TITLE:
Sero-Prevalence of Brucellosis among Nomadic Herdsmen, Abattoir and Livestock Workers in Niger-Delta Region, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Etanguno Effiong Owowo, Ukponobong Effiong Antia, Mary Anthony Christopher, Iquo Effiong Okon
KEYWORDS:
Brucella, Zoonotic, Nomadic Herdsmen, Rapid Brucella Diagnostic Kits, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.7 No.10,
October
11,
2019
ABSTRACT: Brucellosis is a reemerging zoonotic disease that causes more than half a
million infections to humans every year. The disease is common in most developing
countries, the human mortality rate is about 2%, and the disease
causes severe rheumatism, infertility in males, spontaneous abortion and also
results in wastage of resources through prolonged treatment. Brucella organisms
are also potential biological weapon which could be cheaper to produce but more devastating than chemical weapons. About 5 mililitres of blood was
drawn from 228 subjects using sterile vacutainers and analyzed by using
standard tube agglutination tests: (SAT3 160) and ELISA (IgG, IgM) kits
specific for Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis antibodies. Semi structured
questionnaire was administered to collect data. In the study, overall sero
prevalence was 70 (30.8%). More male participated in the study with a
frequency of 24.6% of whom 7.92% falls within the age group of 20 to 30, followed
by 31 - 35 years with 5.72% and 3.52% within 36 - 45 years. Least affected
were those in the age groups above 46 years (2.20%). Approximately,
21.54% of the subjects had formal education either at Quranic, primary and
secondary or tertiary level. Majority acquired Quranic education (9.68%),
7.48% primary and 0.88% had tertiary training. A total of 21 (9.24%) never
acquired any form of education. Headache, muscle aches, malaise, chills and
fatigue were the most common clinical signs and symptoms experienced by
about 30% among the participants. In the distribution of Brucella antibodies,
ELISA diagnostic kits showed high sensitivity with the prevalence rate of
18.04% (n = 41) followed by SAT 12.76% (n = 29). The sensitivity and specificity
of RDPT kits were 37 % and 69%, with a positive and negative predictive
value of 18% and 86% respectively. Unprocessed milk from the market
and consumption of unboiled milk were associated with brucellosis. Therefore, patients with brucellosis should be treated to prevent the devastating effect
of the disease and the accompanying sequelae, public health education
programs should explain modes of transmission and Brucella febrile diagnostic
kit should be used at the health facilities.