Overview of Q fever in Brazil: an underestimated zoonosis

Abstract

This review aims to provide current information about Q fever, elucidating the etiological, epidemiological, pathogenic, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic aspects of the disease for the medical community. We discuss the main forms of presentation of the agent, its ability to persist in the body, the infinite possibilities of susceptible hosts, the main known forms of transmission, its importance in populations at occupational risk, and the role of arthropods in the natural history of the disease. Focusing on Brazil, we present the cases already described and studies developed since its first report, and how there is still much to unravel. We are aware of the possibilities of the persistence of the agent and the development of severe clinical pictures and the specific treatments currently instituted. We also wish to raise awareness about the future, the new genotypes that are emerging, the need to study the effects of vaccines, and the impact of Q fever on the population. Q fever is a poorly understood disease in Latin America, and recent studies, especially in Brazil, have revealed the importance of developing new studies.

Global and regional seroprevalence of coxiellosis in small ruminants: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…To better understand the situation, more studies are needed in these regions in order to investigate the role of goats in the transmission of coxiellosis to humans. The South American country of Brazil had the highest pooled seroprevalence of coxiellosis in goats (55.13%), where it is identified as an underestimated zoonosis (França et al., 2023). Apart from these, Europe (25.23%) and Africa (25.08%) revealed the highest pooled seroprevalence of coxiellosis in goats in this study.…”

Serosurvey of Coxiella burnetii in Police Officers and Working Dogs in Brazil: Case Report and One Health Implications

“…The seropositivity presented in this study may provide important data on canine infection by C. burnetii, particularly regarding why working dogs may be more vulnerable to infection than domestic dogs, as was also observed in military dogs in the French Army [ 5 ] when compared to other dog categories worldwide ( Table 1 ). As higher seropositivity rates in dogs are reportedly uncommon when compared with humans [ 1 ], the dogs examined in this study may have been infected by ticks during operations or at the kennels in the BOPE headquarters.…”

“…Despite recent reports throughout Brazil of Coxiella burnetii infections in animals and people [ 1 ], Q fever is still considered an undetermined disease in the country. Large livestock herds nationwide and in neighboring countries may be the cause of the high prevalence rates observed in recent human serosurveys in Brazil [ 2 , 3 ].…”

Serosurvey of Coxiella burnetii in Descendants of Former Black Slaves (Quilombola Communities) of Southern Brazil

“…A representative sample size was proportionally calculated using open-source epidemiological statistics (Openepi) [ 12 ]. The calculation was made considering a regional population of 4000 quilombola individuals with a precision of 5%, a confidence interval of 95%, and a frequency of 12.68%, considering the average prevalence obtained in studies in nearby states [ 10 ].…”

“…Human infection has been associated with direct contact with domestic ruminants and living in rural areas, which may contribute to C. burnetti spreading [ 10 ]. Although quilombola individuals and their dogs may be exposed to C. burnetti , no study to date has assessed these Brazilian quilombola populations.…”