Brucellosis Seroprevalence and Diagnostic Challenges: A Comprehensive Review from 2017-2021

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Brucellosis remains a significant public health concern, particularly in regions co-endemic with other infectious diseases.
• Accurate diagnostic testing and understanding epidemiological patterns are crucial for effective control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic performance of Rose Bengal test (RB), serum agglutination test (SAT), and Coombs test (CT) for brucellosis.
• To analyze the seasonal distribution and seroprevalence of brucellosis.
• To investigate potential links with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and pandemic-related trends.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 12,279 samples from suspected brucellosis cases (2017-2021).
• Performance evaluation of RB, SAT, and CT tests.
• Analysis of results based on seasonality, age, gender, and pandemic periods.

Main Results:

• Overall brucellosis seroprevalence was 1.5%.
• The Coombs test (CT) was vital in resolving discordant results between RB and SAT.
• Higher seroprevalence was observed in males, during spring/summer, and a significant increase occurred during the pandemic.

Conclusions:

• The study delineates annual and seasonal brucellosis distribution patterns and demographic variations.
• CT is essential for accurate diagnosis when RB and SAT yield conflicting results.
• A rise in brucellosis cases during the pandemic, with co-infections including CCHF, warrants further investigation.