Epidemiological and clinical features of human brucellosis

BACKGROUND: Human brucellosis is an infectious disease and a global issue. Animal sources of brucellosis can contribute to the occurrence of disease in human population. Regarding high incidence of brucellosis in Khaf, Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and clinical features of this disease. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. We reviewed all reports in Health Network of Khaf related to patients diagnosed with brucellosis in the period of 2014-2016. We analyzed data using SPSS software and descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 32.00 + 17.23 years, 51.5% of patients were male, 89.5% of them had animal contact, and more than 90.0% of patients had consumed dairy products. According to serological reports, the Wright test showed that the titer of antibody was 1:160 in 35.4% of patients and 1:320 in 27.7% of them. The 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME) test showed that the titer of antibody was 1:80 in 30.0% of patients and 1:160 in 23.8% of them. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a high incidence of brucellosis among young adults and consumers of unpasteurized dairy products. Therefore, it seems to be necessary to develop preventive strategies and educational programs to reduce the incidence of brucellosis.