Study of C. burnetii human and animal seroprevalence in a rural population in Madrid community

Abstract

A pilot study on human seroprevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii in the Madrid region, initiated in a small rural population, shows a 15.4% positivity by the indirect immunofluorescence test. An urban sample shows an 8.8% positivity. Animal seroprevalence in livestock located in the village under study is 76.6% in caprine and 17.7% in bovine. A high risk epidemiological situation is detected.

Detection ofCoxiella burnetiiin Ticks Collected from Central Spain

“…The two cycles are interrelated when control measures are not well implemented. Previous serological studies performed on livestock in Madrid indicated that up to 76.6% of goats and 8.8% of cattle had antibodies against C. burnetii (Téllez et al 1989). More recently, Carballedo et al (2008) found rates of positivity of 31.5%, 22.4%, and 5.6% for sheep, goats, and cattle, respectively.…”

“…Central Spain is also an area where C. burnetii has an active role in human disease (de los Ríos-Martín et al 2006). However, although studies were performed on livestock farms (Téllez et al 1989, Carballedo et al 2008, we have no data about the distribution of this agent in the environment. The aim of the present study was to detect the presence of C. burnetii in ticks collected both from vegetation and animals in this area in order to determine the intensity of the circulation of this pathogen in ticks, and to establish the role of some species of ixodids in the maintenance of this pathogen in nature.…”

Seroprevalence of Human Infection by Coxiella Burnetii in Barcelona (Northeast of Spain)

“…In effect, the highest seroprevalence data are found in northern Spain (Cantabria [48.6%], 13 Basque country [38.5%] 14 ), Salamanca (50.2%), 15 and Leon (40.6%), 16 probably because of more cattle-raising activities. In contrast, Q fever seems to be less prevalent in central Spain (Madrid [12.7%] 17 ) and southern Spain (Huelva [4-6%] 18 ). In this study, the seroprevalence of C. burnetii was 15.3%, showing the endemic infection by C. burnetii in our predominantly urban area.…”

“…19 No statistically significant correlation was found between seropositivity and living place. Although seroprevalence has been considered higher in rural areas because farm animals are the main reservoirs, 8,9,13,14,17,19 some studies have shown a rise in cases in people living in urban areas. 20 Increased exposure to farm animals caused by travels to rural areas and outside activities, contact with pets, urbanization of rural areas, and windborne spread could contribute to the rising probability of being infected among urban residents.…”

Vaccination against Q fever for biodefense and public health indications

“…Seroepidemiology studies have been conducted around the world in both humans and agricultural animals. Table 1 provides a synopsis of key studies with respect to the seroprevalence of C. burnetii ( Marrie et al, 1984 ; Tellez et al, 1989 ; Letaief et al, 1995 ; Okabayashi et al, 1999 ; Ko et al, 2000 ; Kim et al, 2006 ; Kilic et al, 2008 ; McCaughey et al, 2008 ; Anderson et al, 2009 ; Gozalan et al, 2010 ; Frankel et al, 2011 ; Tozer et al, 2011 ; Esmaeili et al, 2014 ; Schimmer et al, 2014 ; van Wijk et al, 2014 ). This synopsis sought to focus on those studies that did not specifically target at-risk individuals such as agricultural workers.…”