Yosef Dek Kahin, Ismail Ahmed Saeed
School of Medical Laboratory Science, Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Ethiopia.
University of Burao, Burao, Somalia.
Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2025 Feb 25;2025:9922642. doi: 10.1155/cjid/9922642. eCollection 2025.
Brucellosis typically spreads from animals to humans through contact with infected animals or their byproducts. This zoonotic disease can have serious consequences and is often caused by contact with infected livestock or their products, such as contaminated dairy, posing significant risks during pregnancy. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Brucella infection among pregnant women residing in the Burao City area of northeast Somaliland, in environments where human-animal interaction is a frequent occurrence. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to its occurrence. From January to June 2024, this cross-sectional study was conducted at five healthcare facilities that provide antenatal care. Pregnant women who attended these facilities were invited to participate in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic background, obstetric history, behaviors, and practices related to brucellosis. The presence of Brucella antibodies in the serum was detected using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), and positive samples underwent further analysis with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to distinguish between IgG and IgM antibodies. Bivariate analysis was conducted to identify variables associated with Brucella seropositivity, whereas multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent factors linked to Brucella seropositivity after adjusting for other variables. A total of 216 participants were included in the study. The overall prevalence of Brucella infection, determined using the RBPT, was 25.93% (56 out of 216). Among those who tested positive, 61.14% (34 out of 56) had IgG antibodies and 21.42% (12 out of 56) had IgM antibodies against Brucella, as confirmed by ELISA, and IgM ELISA testing revealed 5.6% of pregnant women had recent Brucella infections. Brucella seropositivity was found to be less likely for individuals who frequently interacted with manure, as indicated by an adjusted odds ratio of 0.052 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.016-0.169. Consumption of raw animal milk (AOR 4.84, 95% CI 2.24-10.42), and involvement in assisting animals during childbirth (AOR 4.26, 95% CI 1.065-17.0) significantly increased the risk of Brucella seropositivity. Brucellosis poses a considerable public health threat to pregnant women residing in areas with frequent human-animal interactions. Factors such as the consumption of raw animal products, intimate contact with animals, and involvement in assisting with animal birth escalate this risk. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing strategies aimed at reducing exposure and enhancing the timely detection of brucellosis among pregnant women.
布鲁氏菌病通常通过接触受感染动物或其副产品从动物传播给人类。这种人畜共患病可能会产生严重后果，通常是由于接触受感染的牲畜或其产品，如受污染的乳制品，在怀孕期间会带来重大风险。本研究旨在评估居住在索马里兰东北部布尔奥市地区、人与动物频繁互动环境中的孕妇布鲁氏菌感染率。因此，识别导致其发生的因素很重要。2024年1月至6月，在五家提供产前护理的医疗机构开展了这项横断面研究。邀请到这些机构就诊的孕妇参与本研究。使用结构化问卷收集有关社会人口背景、产科病史、与布鲁氏菌病相关的行为和习惯的数据。采用玫瑰红平板试验（RBPT）检测血清中布鲁氏菌抗体的存在，阳性样本进一步用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）进行分析，以区分IgG和IgM抗体。进行双变量分析以识别与布鲁氏菌血清阳性相关的变量，而多变量逻辑回归用于在调整其他变量后确定与布鲁氏菌血清阳性相关的独立因素。该研究共纳入216名参与者。采用RBPT确定的布鲁氏菌感染总体患病率为25.93%（216人中56人）。ELISA证实，在检测呈阳性的人中，61.14%（56人中34人）有抗布鲁氏菌的IgG抗体，21.42%（56人中12人）有抗布鲁氏菌的IgM抗体，IgM ELISA检测显示5.6%的孕妇近期有布鲁氏菌感染。经常接触粪便的个体布鲁氏菌血清阳性的可能性较小，调整后的优势比为0.052，95%置信区间为0.016 - 0.169。食用生动物奶（调整后的优势比为4.84，95%置信区间为2.24 - 10.42）以及在分娩时协助动物显著增加了布鲁氏菌血清阳性的风险。布鲁氏菌病对居住在人与动物频繁互动地区的孕妇构成了相当大的公共卫生威胁。食用生动物产品、与动物密切接触以及参与协助动物分娩等因素会加剧这种风险。这些发现强调了实施旨在减少暴露并加强孕妇布鲁氏菌病及时检测的策略的重要性。
