Sero-prevalence of brucellosis among slaughterhouse workers in Bahr el Ghazal region, South Sudan

Abstract

Background Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic disease and is common especially among pastoral communities in most low and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to determine sero-prevalence, and risk factors of Brucella infection among Slaughterhouse workers, in Bahr el Ghazal region, South Sudan. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among Slaughterhouse workers in Bahr el Ghazal region, South Sudan from December 2015 to May 2016. A pre-tested questionnaire was used in data collection. Each randomly selected participant was interviewed and a venous blood sample collected. The blood samples were screened for Brucellosis infection using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and confirmed using Competitive Enzyme link Immuno Sorbet Assay (c-ELISA). Data was analyzed using Stata version 13 at 95% level of confidence. Results A total of 234 Slaughterhouse workers were screen for Brucella infection. Overall, a third, 32.1% (75/234) of the participants were sero-positive for brucellosis. The prevalence of brucellosis was higher, 17.1% (40/234) in Wau state compared to other states. There was high prevalence among males, 28.6% (67/234) compared to females 3.4% (8/234). The mean age of study participants was 34.4 ± 9.6 years. A high proportion, 12.8% (30/234) of participants with confirmed brucellosis infection were 31–40 years of age. Brucellosis prevalence was high among butchers, 14.5% (34/234), and meat handlers, 9.0% (21/234). Conclusions Brucellosis is common among animal slaughterhouse workers in Bahr el Ghazal region, South Sudan. There is need for public awareness campaigns and educational programs to help sensitize communities on Brucella infection.

Occupational exposure to livestock and risk of tuberculosis and brucellosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In contrast, brucellosis is one of the seven most neglected diseases in the world, with an estimated 5,000,000 to 12,500,000 cases annually [ 10 , 11 ]. In addition, it is suspected to be a re-emerging disease that affects 500,000 new cases of human infection each year [ 12 ].…”

Brucellosis: Prevalence with reference to East African community countries – A rapid review

“…In this study, an overall individual animal sero‐prevalence of 31.9% by RBT and 29.3% by c‐ELISA was reported. A series of three brucellosis sero‐prevalence studies was also conducted by Madut et al on febrile patients attending hospital, on cattle and their herders and on slaughter house workers in the region of Bahr el Ghazal (Madut et al., 2019; Madut, Muwonge, et al, 2018; Madut, Nasinyama, et al, 2018). The prevalence among 416 febrile patients attending Wau hospital in Bahr el Ghazal region was 23.3% after tests of blood samples by RBT and Serum Agglutination and confirmation of results by c‐ELISA (Madut, Muwonge, et al, 2018; Madut, Nasinyama, et al, 2018).…”

“…Of the 893 bovine sera and 87 herders’ sera tested using RBT and confirmation by c‐ELISA, the reported overall prevalence was 31.0% among cattle and 33.3% among cattle herders (Madut, Muwonge, et al, 2018; Madut, Nasinyama, et al, 2018). In the same region of Bahr el Ghazal, a total 234 slaughterhouse workers were screened for brucellosis infection using RBT and the overall prevalence was 32.1% following c‐ELISA confirmation of results (Madut et al., 2019). With these few studies in the last decade, reported brucellosis prevalence in South Sudan varied from 29.3% to 31.9% among cattle and from 23.3% to 33.3% among humans.…”

“…In this study, an overall individual animal sero-prevalence of 31.9% by RBT and 29.3% by c-ELISA was reported. A series of three brucellosis sero-prevalence studies was also conducted by Madut et al on febrile patients attending hospital, on cattle and their herders and on slaughter house workers in the region of Bahr el Ghazal (Madut et al, 2019;. The prevalence among 416 febrile patients attending Wau hospital in Bahr el…”

Seroprevalence of <i>Brucella</i> Antibodies and Risk Factors Associated with Human Brucellosis in High-Risk Occupational Groups of the Noun Division in the West Region of Cameroon

“…These non-specific signs make the clinical diagnosis of brucellosis challenging in sub-Saharan Africa due to misdiagnosis to malaria or other infectious diseases [15] [16]. Globally, an es-timate of 500,000 new cases and 25,000 deaths due to Brucella infections occur every year [17] [18]. Although sporadic cases of brucellosis are often reported in some sub-Saharan African countries, its prevalence may reach 41% in some areas [12] [19] [20] [21].…”