Epidemiological study of Q fever in humans, ruminant animals, and ticks in Cyprus using a geographical information system

Abstract

A cross-sectional study of Q fever was conducted in a representative sample of the human and animal population in Cyprus in order to assess the seroprevalence of Q fever and the prevalence of related risk factors. A total of 583 human and 974 ruminant animal serum samples were collected and tested for the detection of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii phase II antigen using an indirect immunofluorescent assay. One hundred forty-one ticks were collected from the infested animals examined; the polymerase chain reaction and the shell-vial technique were used to detect and isolate C. burnetii. Standardized questionnaires were used to obtain information concerning inhabitants and their animals. A geographical information system was used to identify high-risk regions. The prevalence of IgG antibodies against C. burnetii phase II antigen was estimated at 52.7% for humans, 48.2% for goats, 18.9% for sheep, and 24% for bovines. C. burnetii was detected in 11 (7.8%) ticks. Using the geographical information system, two villages were identified as high-risk regions on the basis of high seroprevalence rates of IgG antibodies in humans and animals. Risk factors related to Q fever seropositivity were identified by logistic regression analysis and included age, residence, occupation, use of manure in the garden, ownership of animals (especially goats), and the presence of tick-infested or aborting animals. Q fever poses an occupational hazard to humans living in close contact with sheep and/or goats. In parallel, ticks should be considered an important aspect in the epidemiology of Q fever and should be further studied to better elucidate their role.

Review of common causes of abortion in dairy cattle in Ethiopia

“…Previous studies have shown that ticks seem to play an important role in the dissemination of bacteria in animals, especially wild, believing it to be an important factor in the transmission to domestic animals (Psaroulaki et al, 2006). On the other hand, a recent study developed in the Netherlands, after three years of an outbreak of Q fever, researchers investigated the role ticks play in the transmission C. burnetii, showing that actual risk of this infection by ticks is negligible.…”

The Sensitivity of the PCR Method for Detection of Coxiella burnetii in the Milk Samples

“…Cattle, sheep and goats are the main sources of infection in humans [3,4]. Infected animals excrete C. burnetii into the environment via birth products such as the placenta.…”

Prevalence of Chronic Q Fever in Patients with a History of Cardiac Valve Surgery in an Area Where Coxiella burnetii Is Epidemic

“…A third reason for underestimation of chronic Q fever cases is the possibility that we overestimated the number of past C. burnetii infections by using a detection cutoff titer of Ն1:32 for phase I and II IgG. These titers can also be caused by antibodies cross-reacting to other pathogens or by aspecific reactions (18). Yet, it is also known that, following C. burnetii infection, antibodies to C. burnetii can disappear over time or titers can become very low, leading to an underestimation of the infection rate (12,25).…”