Human Seroprevalence to Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Despite the widespread prevalence of infection with Coxiella burnetii, there have been few large population-based studies examining the epidemiology of this infection. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution and determinants of C. burnetii past infection in Northern Ireland (NI). Coxiella burnetii phase II specific IgG antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in stored serum from 2,394 randomly selected subjects, aged 12-64, who had participated in population-based surveys of cardiovascular risk factors performed in 1986 and 1987. The overall prevalence of C. burnetii antibody positivity was 12.8%. The prevalence of sero-positivity was slightly higher in males than that in females (14.3% versus 11.2%, P = 0.02). Sero-positivity was low in children (<10%), increasing to 19.5% and 16.4% in males and females, respectively, in the 25-34 age group and subsequently remaining fairly steady with increasing age. Sero-positivity among farmers, at 48.8%, was significantly higher than the general population. More sero-positive than sero-negative women had a history of a miscarriage or still-birth (19.5% versus 9.8%, P < 0.001). In conclusion, this study demonstrated a high prevalence of evidence of past C. burnetii infection in NI. Associations between past C. burnetii infection and age, sex, social class, occupation and reproductive history were seen. We estimate that 20% of Q fever infections in NI occur in farmers.

Seroepidemiological Survey of Q Fever and Brucellosis in Kurdistan Province, Western Iran

“…In the only study conducted in recent years (2010), the prevalence of IgG phases I and II of C. burnetii was reported at 24% and 36%, respectively, in febrile patients of Kerman Province (southeast Iran) ). In the present study, age and length of employment were correlated parameters and had a positive significant association with the seroprevalence of Q fever, and these findings are consistent with other similar studies (McCaughey et al 2008, Anderson et al 2009). Studies conducted around the world have shown that livestock is the main reservoir for Q fever in humans (Angelakis and Raoult 2010).…”

Q Fever: Current State of Knowledge and Perspectives of Research of a Neglected Zoonosis

“…Cases of hepatitis and pneumonia have however been reported in children and can be fatal [93, 200]. In Northern Ireland, McCaughey et al [201] reported a seropositivity rate inferior to 10% in children. The seropositivity rate increased markedly during the late teenage years and especially in young adults [201].…”

“…In Northern Ireland, McCaughey et al [201] reported a seropositivity rate inferior to 10% in children. The seropositivity rate increased markedly during the late teenage years and especially in young adults [201]. Increased exposure with age is a plausible hypothesis to explain this phenomenon.…”

Spread of Q fever within dairy cattle herds: key parameters inferred using a Bayesian approach

“…Since 2007, Q fever has become an important public health problem in several parts of Europe (McCaughey et al 2008;Karagiannis et al 2009;Panaiotov et al 2009;Schimmer et al 2009). Although Q fever in humans is asymptomatic in more than 60 per cent of cases, it may lead to either an acute or a chronic disease (Raoult et al 2000).…”