Sero-Prevalence of Brucellosis in Pregnant Women Visiting Gynaecology Department of Kathmandu Model Hospital of Nepal

Abstract

Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by ingestion of unpasteurized milk or under cooked meat from infected animals or close contact with their secretions. Sero-prevalence of brucellosis in pregnant women was conducted for the first time in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. A total of 80 sera samples were collected from the pregnant women visiting Kathmandu Model Hospital. The patients were categorized on the basis of age, trimester and ethnic groups. The sera samples were tested by ELISA method. The sero-prevalence of brucellosis among pregnant women was found to be 11.25%. Madhesi ethnic group showed the highest (16.66%) seropositivity rates followedby janajati (11.53%) and the lowest was in Brahmin (8.33%) ethnic group. Similarly, the age group 31-35 years showed highest prevalence (29.41%) followed by the age group 26-30 years (13.33%). There is absence of seropositivity among the age group 16-20 years and 21-25 years. The highest sero-prevalence rate (12.76%) was found in the third trimester followed by first trimester (10%) and the lowest was in second trimester(8.69%). In a questionnaire survey of 200 pregnant women done to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the brucellosis, knowledge about the disease was found very poor.About 3% of them consume raw milk directly from milking animals which is one of the risk factors of brucellosis in pregnant women. The prevalence was found to be high in pregnant women and ELISA was a sensitive and specific test for the detection of IgG antibodies against Brucella.