Evidence of exposure to C. burnetii among slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya

Abstract

Q fever, caused by C. burnetii , has been reported in slaughterhouse workers worldwide. The most reported risk factor for seropositivity is the workers' role in the slaughterhouse. This study examined the seroprevalence and risk factors for antibodies to C. burnetii in slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya to fill a data gap relating to this emerging disease in East Africa. Individuals were recruited from all consenting slaughterhouses in the study area between February and November 2012. Information was collected from participating workers regarding demographic data, animals slaughtered and role in the slaughterhouse. Sera samples were screened for antibodies to C. burnetii using a commercial ELISA and risk factors associated with seropositivity were identified using multi-level logistic regression analysis. Slaughterhouse workers ( n = 566) were recruited from 84 ruminant slaughterhouses in western Kenya. The seroprevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii was 37.1% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 33.2–41.2%). The risk factors identified for C. burnetii seropositivity included: male workers compared to female workers, odds ratio (OR) 5.40 (95% CI 1.38–21.22); slaughtering cattle and small ruminants compared to those who only slaughtered cattle, OR 1.52 (95% CI 1.06–2.19). In addition, specific roles in the slaughterhouse were associated with increased odds of being seropositive, including cleaning the slaughterhouse, OR 3.98 (95% CI 1.39–11.43); cleaning the intestines, OR 3.24 (95% CI 1.36–7.73); and flaying the carcass OR 2.63 (95% CI 1.46–4.75) compared to being the slaughterman or foreman. We identified that slaughterhouse workers have a higher seroprevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii compared to published values in the general population from the same area. Slaughterhouse workers therefore represent an occupational risk group in this East African setting. Workers with increased contact with the viscera and fluids are at higher risk for exposure to C. burnetii . Education of workers may reduce transmission, but an alternative approach may be to consider the benefits of vaccination in high-risk groups.

Sero-epidemiological survey of Coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in Tana River and Garissa counties in Kenya

“…In general, men are involved in various livelihood activities such as the herding of livestock, working in abattoirs/slaughterhouses, assisting animals during birthing and slaughter which could increase their risk of exposure to this pathogen due to higher chances of encountering sick animals, contaminated viscera/fluids, aborted materials, or contaminated aerosols while grazing animals. A recent study on slaughterhouse workers in Western Kenya found that this occupational risk group had a higher seroprevalence of C. burnetii [34] compared with the general community in the same area [36]. Most of these workers were also male, highlighting the gender role in the transmission of C. burnetii.…”

“…A recent study on slaughterhouse workers in Western Kenya found that this occupational risk group had a higher seroprevalence of C . burnetii [ 34 ] compared with the general community in the same area [ 36 ]. Most of these workers were also male, highlighting the gender role in the transmission of C .…”

“…Brucellosis, leptospirosis, staphylococcal infections, dengue fever, enteric fever, rickettsial infections and malaria are common causes of fever in Africa [ 29 , 30 ] and Latin America [ 31 ]. Studies on Q fever have been conducted in Kenya, but the majority of these studies targeted either livestock only [ 26 , 32 , 33 ], humans only [ 21 , 34 ], or ticks as vectors of C . burnetii [ 35 ] with very few covering both livestock with humans [ 36 , 37 ].…”

“…Brucellosis, leptospirosis, staphylococcal infections, dengue fever, enteric fever, rickettsial infections and malaria are common causes of fever in Africa [29,30] and Latin America [31]. Studies on Q fever have been conducted in Kenya, but the majority of these studies targeted either livestock only [26,32,33], humans only [21,34], or ticks as vectors of C. burnetii [35] with very few covering both livestock with humans [36,37]. Over the last decade, One Health studies that incorporate humans and livestock and their social and environmental components are increasingly being used as they allow for better estimation of the risk of infectious disease transmission between livestock and humans, besides providing a comprehensive picture of disease epidemiology [38][39][40].…”

First report of an outbreak of “Q” fever IN an abattoir from Argentina

“…Occupational groups with direct animal contact, such as farmers, abattoir workers, and veterinarians, are particularly at risk of developing Q fever (CDC, 2013; Park et al, 2018). For airborne exposure pathways, C. burnetii appears to be the zoonotic pathogen of greatest concern in abattoirs because of the risk posed by exposure to contaminated aerosols from the slaughter of pregnant and infected animals (Carrieri et al, 2002; Cook et al, 2021; Gilroy et al, 2001; Jain et al, 2003; Mioni et al, 2020; Schneeberger et al, 2014).…”