Abstract
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of occupational nature, and it is endemic in Eastern Mediterranean countries including Jordan. In 2022, we conducted a seroprevalence and molecular study in Jordan among the high-risk occupation of slaughterhouse workers in the central slaughterhouses of three governorates, Amman, Karak and Mafraq, to study brucellosis risk factors and estimate Brucella seropositivity among pre-slaughtered animals and workers. A questionnaire was administered, and blood samples were collected from all workers (356) in the slaughterhouses (Amman n=300, Karak n=22 and Mafraq n=34). Job categories represented in the study included administrative staff, veterinarians, slaughterers and animal skinners, viscera handlers, loaders of live animals, meat sellers, carcass handlers, cleaners, and drivers. The collected samples were tested for Brucella-specific IgM and IgG antibodies using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The positive samples were then tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Anti-Brucella antibodies were detected in 11.8% of the samples. The seroprevalence rate was highest among viscera handlers (15.7%) followed by cleaners (15.6%), and slaughterers (11.7%). About 35.4% reported eating while working, and 19.9% don’t wear any personal protective equipment (PPEs). Moreover, 140 blood sampleswere collected from animals in each slaughterhouse (Amman n=88, Karak n=20 and Mafraq n=32), and serologically tested. Close to 16% were positive by Rose Bengal, and 37% were positive by Fluorescent Polarization Assay. All human and animal samples were negative by PCR. In conclusion, brucellosis is an infection of occupational health importance. The use of PPEs and safer working practices in slaughterhouses should be advocated. This can be done by conducting awareness sessions in endemic countries like Jordan. Regular laboratory testing of brucellosis in animals arriving at slaughterhouses should be conducted.
