Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies among febrile patients in Croatia, 2008-2010

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2012 Apr;12(4):293-6. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0681. Epub 2012 Jan 12.

Abstract

Despite the widespread distribution of Q fever, the prevalence in humans is not accurately known, because many infected people seroconvert without symptoms or with a mild febrile disease. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Q fever in different regions of Croatia. During a 2-year period (2008-2010), serum samples from 552 febrile patients with prolonged cough aged 1-88 were tested for the presence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies by using indirect immunofluorescent assay. Sera from 27.5% patients showed IgG antibodies. Serological evidence of C. burnetii infection was found in patients from all parts of Croatia. Seroprevalence rates significantly differed among regions from 21.5% to 41.2% (p=0.001). Men were more often seropositive (31.6%) than women (22.2%; p=0.016). According to age, a progressive increase in the IgG seropositivity rates was observed as ranging from 6.7% in children less than 10 years of age to 39.2% in patients aged 40-49 (p=0.001). Above the age of 50, the IgG seroprevalence remained stable. Patients from rural areas were more often seropositive than patients from urban areas (40.8% vs. 19%), p<0.001). Acute Q fever was confirmed in 5.8% of patients. Cases occurred throughout the year. A majority of cases were reported during summer months.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cough / epidemiology
  • Cough / immunology
  • Cough / microbiology
  • Coxiella burnetii / immunology*
  • Coxiella burnetii / isolation & purification
  • Coxiella burnetii / pathogenicity
  • Croatia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Q Fever / epidemiology
  • Q Fever / immunology*
  • Q Fever / microbiology
  • Rural Population
  • Seasons
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Urban Population
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M