Risk factors for occupational Brucella infection in veterinary personnel in India

Brucellosis is an important animal and human health issue in developing countries. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with occupational Brucella infection in veterinary personnel in India. Blood samples were collected from 279 veterinary personnel working in the public sector. Sera were tested with rose bengal plate test (RBPT), standard tube agglutination test (STAT), and IgG and IgM ELISAs. Information about participant demographics, risk of exposure and infection control practices was collected using a self-completed questionnaire. The outcome measure of Brucella infection was created based on a positive RBPT or STAT test and a positive IgG ELISA test. Binomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between explanatory variables and the outcome variable. Of the 279 participants, 61 (21.9%), 67 (24.0%), 55 (19.7%) and 150 (53.8%) were positive in RBPT, STAT, IgM and IgG ELISA, respectively. Compared to a trained veterinarian, veterinary pharmacists and animal handlers had greater odds of being test positive, suggesting that they were at greater risk of Brucella infection. Number of years spent working with animals was associated with greater odds of a person being positive for Brucella infection (p = .015). Counter-intuitively, those using personal protective equipment (PPE) for handling sick animals were found to be at greater risk, suggesting that either the use of PPE is inappropriate-making it ineffective-or that it is reverse association whereby those experiencing brucellosis symptoms start using PPE. Brucellosis is a common occupational zoonosis among veterinary personnel in India with the risk being higher in paraveterinary staff than veterinarians and in those who have been practicing for a longer period of time. Further investigations are required to clarify the effectiveness of PPE to reduce Brucella infection in veterinary personnel in India.