The study describes prevalence, clinical symptoms and risk factors for brucellosis in personnel engaged in veterinary health care in Karnataka, India. A total of 1050 sera samples were collected from animal handlers, veterinarians, veterinary students, para-veterinarians and persons engaged in artificial insemination of animals. The sera samples were tested for brucellosis by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), IgG and IgM indirect ELISA and PCR. Age, sex, clinical symptoms and risk factors were recorded in structured questionnaire. Of the 1050 samples tested, 6.76, 6.38, 3.90, 2.67 and 2.0% were positive by IgG ELISA, RBPT, SAT, IgM ELISA and PCR, respectively and overall prevalence recorded was 7.04%. The prominent clinical symptoms observed were intermittent fever (71.62%) followed by joint pain and body aches. A high degree of suspicion, awareness and multimodal diagnostic approach is suggested for early diagnosis, treatment and disease follow up.
Keywords: Brucellosis; PCR; risk factors; serological tests; veterinary professionals.