BRUCELLOSIS IN A RURAL-COMMUNITY

Objective: To study the prevalence of brucellosis in the rural communi ty of Hafer Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A retrospective study pop ulation comprised of 532 patients who attended Al-Ablan Clinic, Hafer AlBatin. Saudi Arabia from September 1995 to June 1996 with complaints of pyrexia, myalgia, arthralgia and other symptoms. Sera from all the patients were tested for brucella antibodies by slide agglutination t echnique. Result: A total of 122 (22.9%) patients were positive for br ucellosis. Thirty nine (32%) Of the seropositive patients had a titer of 1:160 and 83 (65%) had a titer of 1:320. The maximum incidence (54. 9%) was recorded in third and Fourth decades of life with a male femal e ratio of 1.9:1. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (86.8 %), lethargy (69.6%) musculo-skeletal pain (86%) and arthralgia (68.8% ) History of animal contact was positive in 85.2% of cases and 80.3% g ave a-history of consumption of raw milk and partially cooked meat. Co nclusions: Brucellosis screening programs should be conducted in the e ndemic areas and the possibility of brucellosis be kept in the differe ntial diagnosis of fever with myalgias and arthralgias. Also mass educ ation programs should be carried out about the modes of disease transm ission and the significance of pasteurization of milk and milk product s and adequate cooking of meat prior to consumption.