Investigation of the Prevalence of Brucellosis Infection in Blood Donors Using Serological and Molecular Methods in Rural Areas of Ardabil Province, Iran, ۲۰۱۷-۲۰۱۸

Background: Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease with global distribution. This disease has been prevalent in various parts of Iran since ancient times and is significant due to its specific medical complications. Given the endemic nature of the disease in the country, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of brucellosis infection in blood donors using serological and molecular methods in rural areas of Ardabil Province, Iran, during ۲۰۱۷-۲۰۱۸. Methods: In a descriptive-cross-sectional study, anti-Brucella antibodies were investigated in the serum of ۵۰۰ blood donors who referred to the Ardabil Province blood transfusion center. First, all blood samples were qualitatively tested by the Rose Bengal test. Then, on the Rose Bengal-positive samples, the Wright, ۲-mercaptoethanol (۲-ME), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) molecular method tests were performed. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version ۱۸) and the chi-square statistical test. Results: Out of ۵۰۰ blood samples from individuals referring to the Ardabil Province blood transfusion center, ۳۷ individuals had a positive Rose Bengal test, ۲۷ had a Wright test titer of ≥۱/۸۰, and ۱۸ had a ۲-mercaptoethanol (۲-ME) test titer of ≥۱/۴۰. No significant relationship was found between the seroprevalence of brucellosis and the gender of the blood donors, but a significant relationship was observed with age (P < ۰.۰۵). All ۳۷ individuals who had a positive Rose Bengal test were reported negative by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Conclusion: If we consider the Wright test titer as the criterion for Brucella infection, the contamination with Brucella in the donors from Ardabil Province is not negligible.

کلیدواژه ها:

Brucellosis ، Seroprevalence ، Blood Donors ، Rose Bengal ، PCR ، ۲-Mercaptoethanol ، Wright