Seroepidemiology of Q fever in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

Abstract

The prevalence of Coxiella burnetti infection (Q fever) was determined among Nova Scotia (N.S.) and Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) blood donors by using the complement fixation and microimmunofluorescence (IF) test. The complement fixation and IF antibody tests measured antibody prevalence for the phase II or phase I and II antigens, respectively. Complement-fixing antibodies to phase II antigen were detected in 4.1% of 997 N.S. and 5.0% of 219 P.E.I. blood donors. Anti-phase II antibodies were detected by microimmunofluorescence in 11.8 and 14.6% of the blood donors in the two provinces, respectively. Anti-phase I antibodies were detected among 2.8% of the N.S. blood donors and 6.3% of the P.E.I. blood donors. Comparison of rates of anti-phase II IF by counties in N.S. revealed that there was at least one county where infection by C. burnetti is hyperendemic. Rates of antibody prevalence were similar in all three areas of P.E.I. examined. We conclude that "Q fever" is endemic in N.S. and P.E.I. and that the microimmunofluorescence test is more suitable than the complement fixation test for seroepidemiologic studies.

Goat-Associated Q Fever: A New Disease in Newfoundland

“…The seroprevalence of C. burnetii in Newfoundland blood donors (8.3%) is consistent with results from blood donors in other Atlantic Canadian provinces (24,25). The higher seroprevalence in the population from communities surrounding the outbreak area (22.7%) could be due to their close proximity to the outbreak area or may reflect a difference in prevalence, which is often higher in rural areas (11).…”

Legionnaires′ Disease ‐ Results of a Multicenter Canadian Study

“…In addition, the 539 serum samples were also tested (272 had acute and convalescent serum samples tested and 267 had single serum samples tested) for antibodies to Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumolysin, pneumolysin immune complexes, C polysaccharide, surface protein A, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis (7)(8)(9). Antibodies to Coxiella burnetii phase I and II antigens were determined using a microimmunofluoresence assay as previously described (10).…”

Truckin' pneumonia—an outbreak of Q fever in a truck repair plant probably due to aerosols from clothing contaminated by contact with newborn kittens

“…Antibodies to Coxiella burnetii phase I and phase II antigens were determined using an indirect immunofluorescence test (Marrie et al 1984) and to phase II antigen only by a complement fixation test . Antibodies to Mycoplasma pneurnoniae, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A, B viruses, parainfluenza 1, 2, 3 viruses and cytomegalovirus were tested for by a complement fixation technique (Marrie, 1982).…”

“…Antibodies to Mycoplasma pneurnoniae, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A, B viruses, parainfluenza 1, 2, 3 viruses and cytomegalovirus were tested for by a complement fixation technique (Marrie, 1982). Antibodies to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence test using antigens obtained from the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA. (Marrie et al 1984). …”

“…Antibodies to Coxiella burnetii phase I and phase II antigens were demonstrated in feline and rabbit serum samples using the IFA test and the appropriate antisera (Marrie et al 1984). …”