Séroprévalence à Coxiella burnetii et facteurs de risque associés dans la population humaine du sud-ouest du Québec
Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic bacterium for which the main source of transmission to humans are ruminants, especially small ruminants. A human infection with this pathogen can, in its persistent phase, and to a lesser extent in its acute phase, cause severe health problems. Very little information is available about the risk of infection with this pathogen in the human population of Quebec. A study was therefore undertaken in five administrative regions of southwestern Quebec (Lanaudière, Laurentides, Laval, Montérégie and Montréal) to provide information on the risk of infection with C. burnetii in the general adult population of these regions and to investigate potential risk factors of seropositivity to this bacterium. Observed seroprevalences of 1.2% (95% CI : 0.0-6.5), 2.6% (95% CI : 0.0-5.6), and 5.9% (95% CI : 3.0-8.9) were estimated in the regions of Montréal, Lanaudière and Montérégie respectively. One seropositive individual (1/9) was detected from the region of Laval, while no seropositive individuals (0/14) were detected from the Laurentides region. A higher percentage of seropositive results was identified among veterinarians compared to participants whose work does not involve contact with animals (OR = 6.21; 95% CI : 1.61-23.99; P <.01), as well as participants who had worked or lived on a small ruminant farm during their lifetime in comparison to participants who never did (OR = 5.35; 95% CI : 1.62-17.68; P <.01). The greatest number of cases was observed in the region of Montérégie where the density of ruminant farms is the highest. Also, people with a significant occupational contact with domestic animals showed a higher seropositivity to C. burnetii.
Coxiella burnetii Q fever seroprevalence human risk factor bovine caprine ovine environmental characteristic