Risk factors for brucellosis in Samarqand Oblast, Uzbekistan.

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the potential risk factors for human brucellosis infection in Samarqand, Uzbekistan.

Methods: Clinically identified cases admitted to different hospitals during 2004-2006 (N=144), and age-, sex- and residence-matched control patients (N=288) with other unrelated conditions, were included in this study. Structured questionnaires were completed and consent forms signed. Patients and controls were tested on site for Brucella infection by standard tube agglutination test and culture. Statistical analyses were performed with Stata software for univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results: Among the 144 patients with confirmed brucellosis, 137 (95.1%) owned farm animals, 135 (93.8%) were from rural areas, and 119 (82.6%) were enrolled during the animal breeding season. Multivariate analysis indicated that brucellosis was highly associated with contact with aborted animals (adjusted matched odds ratio (AMOR) 87.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 9.36-911.85; p<0.001), slaughtering/butchering animals (AMOR 35.35, 95% CI 6.25-199.77; p<0.001) in the household, consumption of raw milk (AMOR 54.13, 95% CI 1.98-1476.13; p=0.018), and being in a family that had brucellosis sharing the same exposure (AMOR 15.93, 95% CI 1.37-184.97; p=0.027).

Conclusions: To reduce the burden of brucellosis in Samarqand Oblast, veterinary services should be improved. Also public health education programs should be increased. Implementing these measures will minimize exposure to infected farm animals and reduce the risk of infection.