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

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Tatjana Vilibić-Čavlek
• Author: Jasmina Kučinar
• Author: Sunčanica Ljubin-Sternak
• Author: Branko Kolarić
• Author: Bernard Kaić
• Author: Lorena Lazarić-Stefanović
• Author: Blaženka Hunjak
• Author: Gordana Mlinarić-Galinović
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

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.

• Keywords (english): 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
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Accepted version
• Journal title: Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
• Numbering: vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 293-296
• p-ISSN: 1530-3667
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2011.0681
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:415974
• Publication: 2012-04
• Document URL: https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2011.0681
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-27 20:03:55