Should serological screening be done in the areas at risk for brucellosis

Objective: in this study, after diagnosis of 2 brucellosis cases in a village where dwellers live on by animal husbandry, a serologically investigation was aimed to make on village dwellers to show the importence of this surveillance. method: this investigation was made in misirli village at yalvac, isparta. one hundred and ninty four people older than 2 years old were included in this study after giving information about this disease and receiving their consents to participate in the research. blood samples were collected from the participants and brucella agglutination tests (rose bengal and wright) were applied. after screening with rose bengal test, wright test was performed on positive results. all village people were trained about brucellosis symptoms, risk factors and ways to protect the individuals at-risk and then infected people were treated. results: of the 194 people , 93 (48.0%) were male and 101 (52.0 %) were female. seven of the 194 people on which rose bengal test resulted positive, wright test was applied and 6 samples were detected greater than or equal to 1/160 and 1 sample was detected as 1/80 dilution. seropositivity was detected in 7 of 194 (3.6 %) people. seropositivity was 4,95 % in women and 2.15 % in men. conclusion: in cases who were working in animal husbandry, consuming raw milk and dairy products and suffering from prolonged fever and joint pain, brucellosis should be considered primarily and furthermore it should be borne in mind that this disease may occur in very different clinical presentations. as in this study, we surmise that in areas where brucellosis cases were diagnosed, serological screening may be useful for the detection and treatment of new cases.