Molecular Method for Direct Detection of Brucella spp. in Human Blood Samples

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is a zoonosis of worldwide public health and economic importance, affects mainly domestic animals and it may be the genus Brucella, transmitted to humans by contact with infected domestic animals. Brucellosis control and eradication require serological tests and vaccines. The purpose of present study was to detection of Brucella spp. infection in human blood samples by molecular method.

Methodology: The number of 200 blood specimens (including 118 males and 82 females, between 10 and 70 years of age) were obtained from companion humans referred to the Polyclinic Laboratory in Kashani hospital, Shahrekord. Total DNA was extracted and the region encoded the omp2a gene was amplified by PCR using specific primers.

Results: 12 out of the 200 serum samples (6%) were found to be positive for Brucella spp (193 bp). 7 positive samples were in male group and 5 positive samples were in female group.

Conclusion: PCR was considered as the golden test for diagnosis of brucellosis. The eradication of brucellosis as a major zoonotic problem in animals is a necessary step to control the disease in human.