Seroprevalence of Brucella infection and associated factors among pregnant women receiving antenatal care around human, wildlife and livestock interface in Ngorongoro ecosystem, Northern Tanzania. A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, animal products or consumption of infected dairy products. Brucella infection during pregnancy is of special interest due to association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study determined the seroprevalence and factors associated with Brucella infection among pregnant women around the human-wildlife-livestock interface area in Ngorongoro ecosystem, Northern Tanzania. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2018 at six health facilities that provide antenatal services. Pregnant women receiving antenatal care were invited to participate. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics in addition to behavior and practices related to the occurrence of human brucellosis. The presence of serum immunoglobulin against Brucella was determined using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT). The positive samples were further assayed for the presence of IgG and IgM using The enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay. Bivariate analysis was conducted to determine the variables associated with Brucella seropositivity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors independently associations with Brucella seropositivity after adjustment for other explanatory variables. Results: A total of 313 participants were enrolled in the study. The overall seroprevalence of Brucella infection was 10.9% (34/313) determined by Rose Bengal plate test. Of 34 positive individuals, 27(79.4%) and 8(23.5%) were positive in the ELISA specific for IgG and IgM Brucella antibodies respectively. Regular contact with manure (AOR 3.16, 95%CI 1.27-7.83) and preference for animal fresh milk (AOR 3.80, 95% CI 1.23-11.69), raw meat (AOR 2.58, 95% CI 1.14-5.81) and raw animal blood (AOR 2.71, 95% CI 1.15-6.35) increased the odds of being Brucella seropositive. Contact with the animal placenta were not associated with Brucella seropositivity after adjustment.

Seroprevalence and molecular detection of brucellosis among Pakistani women with spontaneous abortion

“…Smita et al also reported 22.08% (36/163) prevalence of brucellosis in shepherds rearing livestock in India ( 47 ). A cross-sectional study from Kenya by Makala et al also reported a prevalence of 10.4% ( n = 31) among individuals who were agro-pastoralist ( 48 ).…”

Immune Responses Potentially Involved in the Gestational Complications of Brucella Infection

“…Although abortion in animals caused by Brucella infection is well known, for several years, there has been controversy about the relationship between human brucellosis and pregnancy outcomes. In pregnant women, the seroprevalence of brucellosis varies from 1.3 to 12.2% [16][17][18][19][20]. Such variability depends on livestock contact, as pregnant women without animal-related occupations show a lower seroprevalence of brucellosis [21] than women from agro-pastoral communities, who do most of the work associated with the care and harvest of livestock products [22].…”

Women’s thirty-year contribution to cheetah conservation: An insight into volunteer-based conservation program supported by female scientists

“…carrying heavy loads) are linked with increased health complications to women and their unborn child (e.g., increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth) (Wan et al, 2011). Pregnant women also need to take additional precautions when working in the field, as parasite and disease infections can be more serious for these women (Wan et al, 2011;Makala et al 2020). Women also tend to be the caretaker of the family and will often be the one responsible for taking care of sick family members (Wan et al, 2011) and often have heavier workloads in providing for the household (Mollel and Mtenga, 2000;James et al, 2021), especially in the African context.…”