Study of C. burnetii human and animal seroprevalence in a rural population in Madrid community
A pilot study on human seroprevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii in the Madrid region, initiated in a small rural population, shows a 15.4% positivity by the indirect immunofluorescence test. An urban sample shows an 8.8% positivity. Animal seroprevalence in livestock located in the village under study is 76.6% in caprine and 17.7% in bovine. A high risk epidemiological situation is detected.
Epidemiological study of Q fever in humans, ruminant animals, and ticks in Cyprus using a geographical information system
A cross-sectional study of Q fever was conducted in a representative sample of the human and animal population in Cyprus in order to assess the seroprevalence of Q fever and the prevalence of related risk factors. A total of 583 human and 974 ruminant animal serum samples were collected and tested for the detection of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii phase II antigen using an indirect immunofluorescent assay. One hundred forty-one ticks were collected from the infested animals examined; the polymerase chain reaction and the shell-vial technique were used to detect and isolate C. burnetii. Standardized questionnaires were used to obtain information concerning inhabitants and their animals. A geographical information system was used to identify high-risk regions. The prevalence of IgG antibodies against C. burnetii phase II antigen was estimated at 52.7% for humans, 48.2% for goats, 18.9% for sheep, and 24% for bovines. C. burnetii was detected in 11 (7.8%) ticks. Using the geographical information system, two villages were identified as high-risk regions on the basis of high seroprevalence rates of IgG antibodies in humans and animals. Risk factors related to Q fever seropositivity were identified by logistic regression analysis and included age, residence, occupation, use of manure in the garden, ownership of animals (especially goats), and the presence of tick-infested or aborting animals. Q fever poses an occupational hazard to humans living in close contact with sheep and/or goats. In parallel, ticks should be considered an important aspect in the epidemiology of Q fever and should be further studied to better elucidate their role.
Q fever in the Milwaukee area. 3. Epidemiological studies of Q fever in humans.
Evidence of human infections in Milwaukee is reviewed to determine if the progressive spread of Q fever in the cattle of the Milwaukee milk shed affect human infections. However, only sporadic clinical cases have been encountered. A study of 1,106 individuals in various selected population groups showed that 3.4% had complement-fixing antibodies for Q fever. A review of 2,428 patients with respiratory infections of suspected viral origin between 1955 and 1965 confirmed 29 cases of active or recent infection of Q fever. Epidemiological studies on 22 of these cases demonstrated that fever of undetermined origin was the predominant syndrome, that the majority were men between the ages of 38 and 55, and that contact with cattle or infected premises was the most significant contributing factor.