Low seroprevalence of Q fever in The Netherlands prior to a series of large outbreaks

Abstract

The Netherlands has experienced large community outbreaks of Q fever since 2007. Sera and questionnaires containing epidemiological data from 5654 individuals were obtained in a nationwide seroprevalence survey used to evaluate the National Immunization Programme in 2006-2007. We tested these sera for IgG phase-2 antibodies against Coxiella burnetii with an ELISA to estimate the seroprevalence and to identify determinants for seropositivity before the Q fever outbreaks occurred. Overall seroprevalence was 1·5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·3-1·7]. Corrected for confirmation with immunofluorescence results in a subset, the estimated seroprevalence was 2·4%. Seropositivity ranged from 0·48% (95% CI 0·00-0·96) in the 0-4 years age group to 2·30% (95% CI 1·46-3·15) in the 60-79 years age group. Keeping ruminants, increasing age and being born in Turkey were independent risk factors for seropositivity. The low seroprevalence before the start of the outbreaks supports the hypothesis that The Netherlands has been confronted with a newly emerging Q fever problem since spring 2007.

Coxiella burnetiiseroprevalence and risk factors in sheep farmers and farm residents in The Netherlands

“…Generally, it is difficult to compare international seroprevalence studies, because most studies use different tests or cut-off values. The cut-off value of the test in our study (⩾1:32) was chosen because it allowed comparison with other population surveys conducted in The Netherlands [23, 28]. …”

Prevalence and risk factors for Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) in Dutch dairy cattle herds based on bulk tank milk testing

“…This study is part of a larger study conducted in 2009 -2011 that describes the relationship between the presence of C. burnetii in several ruminant species on farm-level and seropositivity for C. burnetii among household members (Schimmer et al, 2012De Lange et al, 2014). They elaborately describe the methods of our study .…”

A Q Fever Outbreak in the Netherlands: Consequences for Tissue Banking

“…The seroprevalence of Q fever in the Dutch population prior to the large outbreaks was reported to be 2.4% [30]. In people with occupational hazard, e.g.…”