Human brucellosis from consumption of unpasteurized milk in a rural area of Manabí

Brucellosis remains a significant zoonosis in various regions of the world and persists as a public health threat, especially in rural communities where the consumption of unpasteurized milk is still common. This practice increases exposure to infections caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. The objective of this study was to analyze human brucellosis due to the consumption of unpasteurized milk in a rural area of Manabí. An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted among residents of the rural area of Olmedo. All participants underwent serological testing: agglutination of the febrile antigen for Brucella and an ELISA-based assay for the detection of IgG antibodies. One sample showed positive reactivity by agglutination, while all samples tested negative in the ELISA assay, indicating greater reliability and accuracy of the ELISA method for the diagnosis of Brucella. It was concluded that serological methods, such as the ELISA assay, should be used to prevent cases of brucellosis in rural areas.