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

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