Abstract:

Background: Brucellosis is among the neglected tropical diseases in Lake Zone that affects a large population. It is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. In Lake Zone, it is widely spread since most people conduct agro-pastoralism. Culture and sensitivity remains the reliable and gold standard method for the diagnosis of brucellosis. However rapid test namely latex agglutination test such as Eurocell antibody kit, Bio research antigen kit can be used with latex agglutination test. A titre less than 1:160 indicated previous exposure and there is no need of antimicrobial therapy. However, in most low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Tanzania, this practice is yet to be feasible because qualitative results (i.e reactive and non-reactive) are used to guide patient’s treatment. Hence, some patients are misdiagnosed and exposed to antimicrobial therapy unnecessary leading to increased health care costs, risk of drug toxicity and emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and antibodies titres of serum antibodies for Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis among patients with clinical symptoms of brucellosis attending Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted at BMC involving all age groups clinically suspected to have Brucellosis. A convenient sampling procedure was used until the required sample size was acquired. Clinical and basic demographic data were collected from the request form. Blood samples were processed to establish the highest positive agglutination titres for Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis. Data were analysed using STATA version 15 according to the objectives of the study.
 
Results: In this study the overall prevalence of brucellosis observed was 9.09% , where by prevalence of Brucella abortus was 7.27% and prevalence of Brucella melitensis was 7.73%.Also the prevalence of co-infection of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis was 5.91%. No clinical signs and symptoms under this study were found to be associated with brucellosis.

Conclusion: This study observed low prevalence of brucellosis infections in humans who were suspected to have brucellosis. No specific clinical signs and symptoms that significantly associated with brucellosis infections.