Evidence of Brucellosis in Hospitalized Patients of Selected Districts of Punjab, Pakistan

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis worldwide and potential health risk in Pakistan due to socio-economic reasons lack of awareness, veterinary modern dairy-processing facilities. The aim this study was determine the burden brucellosis hospitalized patients selected districts Punjab, Pakistan. To end, total 280 serum samples were collected from suspected Lahore, Okara Khushab between 2016 2018. Anti-Brucella antibodies detected 89 (31.8%) sera by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), Brucella abortus DNA amplified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 42 (15%) samples. In univariable analysis, seroprevalence varied significantly (p < 0.05) with Lahore indicating 41/101 (40.6%) Odds ratio (OR) = 53.98 (7.22–403.67; 95% CI), 47/99 (47.5%) OR 71.4 (9.55–533.65; CI) 1/80 (1.3%) as reference. Similarly, exposure aborted materials history blood transfusion did associate 0.05), posing 2.91 (1.58–5.36; 4.48 (2.56–7.84; risk. However, consumption raw milk multivariable analysis 1.91 (1.09–3.34; 4.92 (2.76–8.75; respectively. association factor underscores need create awareness programs both at public institutional levels medical fields, well facilities capacity building delve deeper into epidemiology country. Particular attention should be paid chronically infected patients. Therefore, laboratory modernization, standardization validation diagnostic tests, staff trainings are required. Finally, pasteurization recommended before consumption.