A survey of Q-fever in Sweden

Macellaro, Anna; Åkesson, Åke; Norlander, Lena

doi:10.1007/bf00158795

Cited by 31 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…On the other hand, the greater risk factors of Co burnetii infection are ascribable in our study to the close relationship with domestic animals and occupations related to agriculture and/or care of animals. This is consistent with the findings previously reported in Spain [15, ~7] and Sweden [30]. On the other hand, the significant!y higher seroprevalence obtained in our study among people consuming dairy products seems to be a confusion factor because when in statistical analysis occupation and consumption of dairy products are taken together, only differences related co work but not with feeding practices were observed.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Seroepidemiological survey of Q fever in Le�n Province, Spain

et al. 1996

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A seroepidemiological survey, using an indirect immunofluorescence test against Coxiella burnetii (antigenic phase II), was carried out in León province, north-western Spain. A total of 406 serum samples was collected from people (from 15 to more than 65 years old) living in a rural environment during the winter and spring of 1994. The overall prevalence was 40.6%, titres ranged from 1:80 to 1:640, and a titre of 1:80 was encountered among 60.6% of positive samples. A significant higher prevalence was observed among males globally, as well as among those aged 15-44 and 45-64 years old; however, no difference was encountered among males and females older than 64 years. In the same way, a significant higher Q fever prevalence was observed among individuals having occupations related to agriculture and among those having close relationship with animals.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Seroepidemiological survey of Q fever in Le�n Province, Spain

et al. 1996

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“…International prevalence rates vary greatly. For example, published prevalence rates for cattle workers in Sweden, Austria, Bavaria and Spain vary from 10% to 30% [21][22][23][24][25]. Such variation may reflect either geographical differences and/or variable sensitivity of the available testing techniques (e.g., complement fixation test -CFT, ELISA, immunofluorescence assay, skin prick testing) [8].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence and occupational risk survey for Coxiella burnetii among exposed workers in Sicily, Southern Italy

Fenga¹,

Gangemi²,

Luca³

et al. 2015

Int J Occup Med Environ Health

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International Journal of Occupational Medicine and EnvironmentalThe aim of this survey was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) in subjects at risk of exposure in Sicily, Southern Italy. Material and Methods: Prevalence of IgG antibodies to C. burnetii phase II antigens was evaluated by ELISA in a group of 140 workers at risk of exposure (38 veterinarians, 38 slaughterhouse workers, 44 livestock handlers, 20 laboratory and technical personnel) included in a medical surveillance program and in 42 control subjects. Positive samples were classified as suggestive of prior exposure to C. burnetii. Results: Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 88 out of 140 (62.9%) exposed workers and in 6 out of 42 (14.3%) subjects of the control group. The variables evaluated did not seem to have a significant effect on seropositivity to Coxiella with the exception of symptoms in the last 6 months preceding the survey. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a high seroprevalence of C. burnetii in the group of exposed workers in comparison to non-exposed subjects of the control group. Clinical illness appears to be rare; nevertheless, physicians should consider Q fever in patients with compatible symptoms and occupational exposure to animals and their products. As aerosols represent the main route of infection in animals and humans, these workers are strongly advised to wear respiratory masks. In addition, occupational physicians should consider routine serologic evaluation and vaccination of occupationally exposed workers.

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“…A large outbreak in an urban area in the United Kingdom was also recently reported, and windbome spread form surrounding farmlands was proposed as the route of infection [16]. In southern Sweden, 24-30 % of sheep farmers and 12% of veterinarians have been exposed to C. burnetii; although in the non-risk groups of draftees and hospital employees, 5-7% were also sero-positive [17]. In other urban areas in Europe, the United States, and Japan, cats have been implicated as the carriers of infection to humans [2,18,19].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High incidence of Coxiella burnetii markers in a rural population in France

et al. 1996

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Since Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is often transmitted from goats and sheep to humans through aerosols, we examined the sera from 168 persons involved in goat breeding in the Centre region of France and 40 members of veterinary and medical staff from the same region for the presence of antibodies against C. burnetii. An immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the presence of antibodies of the IgG isotope against epitopes from phase II of C. burnetii, which are the first antibodies to appear in infected people, and from phase I, which reflect more chronic stages of the infection. Our serological survey showed that most of the tested sera were positive for C. burnetii markers, indicating at least an encounter with the bacterium. In the overall population of 208 subjects, 71% of the sera had antibodies against phase II epitopes (titres > or = 1:40). Among the goat farmers and their immediate families, 78% had antibodies against phase II and 33% against phase I (titres > or = 1:40). Considering only high titres (> or = 1:320), though, only 37% of the farmers had antibodies against phase II and 15% against phase I. Only 3 out of 12 veterinarians working in the field had high titres of antibodies against phase II and phase I, while none of 28 members of veterinary and medical laboratories had significant levels of antibodies. These results emphasize the need for closer surveillance of populations at risk for Q fever, to prevent the infection by C. burnetii from reaching chronic stages of the disease.

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A survey of Q-fever in Sweden

Cited by 31 publications

References 13 publications

Seroepidemiological survey of Q fever in Le�n Province, Spain

Seroepidemiological survey of Q fever in Le�n Province, Spain

Seroprevalence and occupational risk survey for Coxiella burnetii among exposed workers in Sicily, Southern Italy

High incidence of Coxiella burnetii markers in a rural population in France

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