Sero-prevalence of brucellosis among blood donors in Ahvaz, Southwest Iran

ObjectiveTo identify sero-prevalence of brucellosis among blood donors in Ahvaz city, Southwest Iran.MethodsA total number of 1 450 serum samples from blood donation were collected and were screened for the presence of brucella antibody. Rose Bengal Plate Test, Standard Agglutination Test (SAT), and 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME) agglutination were tested in the sample. SAT dilution ≥1/80 and 2ME agglutination ≥1/40 were considered positive.ResultsSero-prevalence of brucellosis among the blood donors was 0.70%, 0.34%, and 0.20% by Rose Bengal Plate Test, SAT, and 2ME respectively.ConclusionsConsidering the 1/80 titer of SAT as the criteria of contamination with brucella, routine screening of sero-prevalence of brucella in blood donors is not recommended in this area.