Seroprevalence of Brucellosis and Risk Factors Related to High Risk Occupational Groups in Kazeroon, South of Iran

Background: Brucellosis is a major zoonosis worldwide. Many people for their professionsare at higher risk of contracting the disease.Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis and its risk factors in a group ofhigh risk professions.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, all personnel or students of veterinary schools, slaughtersand butchers working in the city were invited to participate (n=141). A comparisongroup (n=44) randomly selected from patients who were selected at random from peopleattended our healthcare center for reasons other than the infectious diseases.Results: 4 veterinarians, 15 veterinary assistants, 42 veterinarian students, 52 butchers, 17slaughters, 8 slaughterhouse workers and 3 chefs made the first group and 14 storekeepers,5 students of engineering, 11 clerks, 13 freelance workers, and 1 high school student madethe comparison group. While the rate of consumption of most of the studied dairy productswas almost similar in both groups, comparison group patients consumed more often milk(p 0.001) and cream (p 0.001) than the high risk group. 11 (7.8%; 95% CI: 3.4%–12.2%)cases from high risk group and none of the comparison group were found seropositive forBrucella.Conclusion: Profession is the main factor in seropositivity. Consumption of dairy productsand raw milk is not associated with a higher risk of seropositivity.