Seroepidemiologic Survey for Coxiella burnetii Among Hospitalized US Troops Deployed to Iraq*

Abstract

Q fever is a zoonotic illness which frequently has a non-specific clinical presentation. Cases among deployed US military personnel have been reported in increasing numbers indicating an emerging at-risk occupational group. Banked serum specimens were utilized to estimate seroprevalence and risk factors among military personnel deployed to Iraq. Coxiella burnetii antibody testing was performed and epidemiologic data were analysed from 909 servicemembers. The overall number who seroconverted to Q fever was 88 (10%). The most common ICD-9 code assigned to Q fever cases was fever not otherwise specified (NOS) (45%). A combat occupational specialty was a risk factor for Q fever seroconversion (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-2.8) as well as receiving a primary diagnosis of fever NOS (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.6-4.1). These findings indicate that Q fever is a significant infectious disease threat to military personnel deployed to Iraq. A heightened awareness among physicians is necessary to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Seroepidemiologic Survey for Coxiella burnetii Among US Military Personnel Deployed to Southwest and Central Asia in 2005

“…17 The overall seroincidence in the Al Asad group was lower (7.2%) but not significantly different (P = 0.20), whereas the seroincidence of the Qatar group (0.51%) was significantly lower (P 0.0001). However, these populations may not be comparable given the differences in selection criteria, demographics, occupational specialties, dates of deployment, and travel locations.…”

“…However, these populations may not be comparable given the differences in selection criteria, demographics, occupational specialties, dates of deployment, and travel locations. Additionally, Anderson and others 17 used a different laboratory testing methodology (i.e., indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay) to detect phases I and II IgG and IgM antibodies.…”

Clinician Assessment forCoxiella burnetiiInfection in Hospitalized Patients with Potentially Compatible Illnesses During Q Fever Outbreaks and Following a Health Alert, Montana, 2011

“…We conducted a retrospective medical record review of patients with one of the following International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, (ICD-9) codes as their primary diagnosis at the time of discharge: Fever, unspecified (ICD-9 code 780.6); viral infection in conditions classified elsewhere and of unspecified site (viral infection not otherwise specified [NOS]; 079.0-079.99); pneumonia, organism unspecified (486); and, chest pain, unspecified (786.5) (Anderson et al 2011). We reviewed records with a hospital admission date occurring within a 3-week period when C. burnetii transmission was likely occurring in the community and a 3-week period following the release on June 8 of the statewide health alert.…”

<b><i>Coxiella burnetii</i></b> - Pathogenic Agent of Q (Query) Fever

“…In Europe, outbreaks of Q fever in sheep herds occurred in the German Federal states of Baden-Württemberg [59], Bavaria [60] and Thuringia [61], as well as in France [62], Cheltenham in England [63], and Bosnia [64]. C. burnetii infected individuals were also identified among soldiers returning from Kuwait [65], Iraq [66], and Afghanistan [67]. …”