Abstract
A total of 282 blood samples from patients having clinical symptoms and signs of brucellosis was collected from Allied and District Headquarter Hospitals, Faisalabad. Slide agglutination test for initial screening and standard tube agglutination test for further confirmation of Brucella species were used. Two major antigens, Br. abortus and Br. melitensis were used for each test. Frequency of the disease with Br. abortus was 97.7 % and with Br. melitensis was 90.3 %. Seroprevalence of brucellosis in patients having family history (30%), fever (95%), body aches (90%),lack of energy (91%),joint pain (85%), back pain (60%), chills (44%), headache (67%), loss of appetite (40%), sweating (48%), weight loss (58%), abdominal pain (13%), sleep disturbance (26%),constipation (36%), signs of ill-looking (46%),pallor (48%),lymphadenopathy (23%), joint swelling (45%) and spinal tenderness (10%) was assessed. Minor differences of prevalence between married (51 %) and unmarried patients (49%)was found. The age group of 21-30 years showed the highest seroprevalence (46%). Patient's hygienic conditions, consumption of raw milk, occupation and contact with animals were the main risk factors. Key words: antigens, brucellosis, seroprevalence
