Brucellosis among animals and human contacts in eastern Sudan

OBJECTIVE: To study the relative frequency of brucellosis among domestic animals in Kassala State, Sudan, in the year 1999 and compare the results of previous studies since 1908. Also to study the frequency rates of the disease in animal contacts in the area.

METHODS: Sero-survey for Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus was carried out on sera of animals brought for slaughter to Kassala abattoir and on sera of occupational contacts of animals. All sera were tested by the slide agglutination test. The positive reactors were confirmed by tube agglutination test.

RESULTS: A total of 1225 sera were tested - 1038 were animal sera and 187 were human sera. Four percent of goats sera, 1% of sheep sera and 5% of cattle sera were found to be positive. Of the 64 camel sera tested, none were positive reactors. Of the occupational contacts, which included butchers, slaughterhouse workers, milkers and cow attendants, (1%) reacted positively.

CONCLUSION: The study showed low frequency rates of brucellosis among animals in the Kassala area compared with other parts of Sudan. Occupational contacts showed very low frequency rates of the disease. This is often over-looked by medical practitioners due to the overwhelming problem of malaria in the area. We draw the attention of practitioners to think of brucellosis in the differential diagnosis of fever especially in rural communities.