Seroprevalence of Brucella Antibodies in High-Risk Patients With Low Back Pain: A Case-Control Study

Elham Ahmed Hassan100 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this observational case-control study is to assess the presence of Brucella antibodies in patients with low back pain who are at high risk for brucellosis exposure, such as those with animal contact or consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. The main question it aims to answer is: Is there a significant association between Brucella seropositivity and low back pain in high-risk individuals? Researchers will compare patients with low back pain to age- and sex-matched healthy controls without back pain but with similar exposure risks, to see if Brucella antibodies are more frequent in the patient group. Participants will: Undergo a detailed clinical history and physical examination Provide blood samples for serological testing using ELISA for Brucella IgG/IgM/IgA Be evaluated for other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and joint pain

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

100

Conditions

Brucellosis Low Back Pain

Interventions

Brucella Antibody Testing (ELISA)DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Serological testing for Brucella antibodies using the SERION ELISA classic Brucella IgG/IgM/IgA kit (Institut Virion\\Serion GmbH, Würzburg, Germany). The test detects Brucella-specific IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies in serum samples to assess current or past exposure. All samples were processed and interpreted according to the manufacturer's instructions. This diagnostic intervention was used for both the low back pain group and the control group.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults of any sex at high risk of Brucella exposure (e.g., contact with livestock or consumption of unpasteurized dairy products) * Patients presenting with non-specific low back pain * Willing and able to provide informed consen Exclusion Criteria: * Evidence of tuberculosis (Pott's disease) * Evidence of septic spondylitis * Known metastatic bone lesions * Known degenerative or autoimmune rheumatologic spinal diseases * History of prior spinal surgery or trauma

Locations (2)

Assiut University Hospital

Asyut, Egypt

Assiut University

Asyut, Egypt

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Prevalence of Brucella Antibodies in High-Risk Patients with Low Back Pain

The presence of Brucella antibodies (IgG, IgM, and IgA) in serum was assessed using the SERION ELISA classic Brucella kit. A positive result indicates prior or current exposure to Brucella species. The outcome compares the proportion of seropositive individuals between patients with low back pain and matched controls.

Time frame: February 2024 to February 2025

Prevalence of Brucella Antibodies in High-Risk Patients with Low Back Pain

Time frame: At enrollment