scholarly journals Assessment of Coxiella burnetii presence after tick bite in north-eastern Poland

Infection ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-90
Author(s):  
Karol Borawski ◽  
Justyna Dunaj ◽  
Piotr Czupryna ◽  
Sławomir Pancewicz ◽  
Renata Świerzbińska ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The aim of the study is to assess anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies presence in inhabitants of north-eastern Poland, to assess the risk of Q fever after tick bite and to assess the percentage of co-infection with other pathogens. Methods The serological study included 164 foresters and farmers with a history of tick bite. The molecular study included 540 patients, hospitalized because of various symptoms after tick bite. The control group consisted of 20 honorary blood donors. Anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies titers were determined by Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) Phase 1 IgG ELISA (DRG International Inc. USA). PCR was performed to detect DNA of C. burnetii, Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Results Anti-C. burnetii IgG was detected in six foresters (7.3%). All foresters with the anti-C. burnetii IgG presence were positive toward anti-B. burgdorferi IgG and anti-TBE (tick-borne encephalitis). Anti-C. burnetii IgG was detected in five farmers (6%). Four farmers with anti-C. burnetii IgG presence were positive toward anti-B. burgdorferi IgG and two with anti-TBE. Among them one was co-infected with B. burgdorferi and TBEV. Correlations between anti-C. burnetii IgG and anti-B. burgdorferi IgG presence and between anti-C. burnetii IgG presence and symptoms of Lyme disease were observed. C. burnetii DNA was not detected in any of the 540 (0%) patients. Conclusions C. burnetii is rarely transmitted by ticks, but we proved that it is present in the environment, so it may be a danger to humans. The most common co-occurrence after tick bite concerns C. burnetii and B. burgdorferi.

Author(s):  
Lelde Grantiņa-Ieviņa ◽  
Ilga Bubula ◽  
Maija Sergejeva ◽  
Žanete Šteingolde ◽  
Guntis Boikmanis ◽  
...  

Abstract Q fever is an important zoonotic disease worldwide. The main sources of human infection are inhalation of aerosols containing Coxiella burnetii bacteria and exposition to infected materials during parturition or slaughtering. The high-risk group includes people who work directly with infected livestock, such as farmers, veterinarians, veterinary medicine students, slaughterhouse and laboratory staff. Here we present a pilot study of risk-group human seroprevalence to C. burnetii in Latvia. The study included 240 sera samples — 190 from the risk groups and 50 from the control group. Samples were tested with Coxiella burnetii (Q-fever) Phase 1 and 2 IgG ELISA kits. All sera from the control group were negative. The seroprevalence among risk group persons was 8.04–11.54%. No statistically significant differences were observed between genders. The highest percentage of seropositive and equivocal sera samples (25%) were detected in age categories 39–48 years and 49–58 years. Working as a practicing veterinarian or former veterinarian was the only risk factor identified as statistically significant, and belonging to the risk group in general. The geographical distribution of seropositive risk group participants indicated that they tend to located more in the northern, central, and eastern part of the country.


1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (s7) ◽  
pp. 367s-368s ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Fernandez-Cruz ◽  
M. Luque Otero ◽  
L. Llorente Perez ◽  
C. Fernandez Pinilla ◽  
N. Martell Claros

1. Human leucocyte AB antigens were determined by means of a lymphocyte toxicity test in 84 patients with essential hypertension and in 1000 blood donors. 2. The prevalence of HLA B8 was 16.4% in hypertensive patients and 8.9% in controls (P = 0.07). 3. The prevalence of HLA B12 was 34.5% in hypertensive patients and 26.9% in the control group (N.S.). In WHO stage III hypertension HLA B12 was found in six out of 10 patients. 4. The prevalence of HLA B15 was 1.2% in hypertensive patients and 6.4% in controls (P < 0.05). 5. In view of a previous report of HLA antigens in a Spanish diabetic population, this study does not support the suggestion of a genetic and possibly HLA-linked connection between essential hypertension and diabetes mellitus among the Spanish population. 6. A positive family history of hypertension tended to be more common in those patients with essential hypertension associated with HLA B8.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataša Knap ◽  
Diana Žele ◽  
Urška Glinšek Biškup ◽  
Tatjana Avšič-Županc ◽  
Gorazd Vengušt

Abstract Background The obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii causes globally distributed zoonotic Q fever. Ruminant livestock are common reservoirs of C. burnetii. Coxiella burnetii are shed in large numbers in the waste of infected animals and are transmitted by inhalation of contaminated aerosols. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of C. burnetii infection in domestic animals and ticks in areas of Slovenia associated with a history of Q fever outbreaks. Results A total of 701 ticks were collected and identified from vegetation, domestic animals and wild animals. C. burnetii DNA was detected in 17 out of 701 (2.4%) ticks. No C. burnetii DNA was found in male ticks. Ticks that tested positive in the PCR-based assay were most commonly sampled from wild deer (5.09%), followed by ticks collected from domestic animals (1.16%) and ticks collected by flagging vegetation (0.79%). Additionally, 150 animal blood samples were investigated for the presence of C. burnetii-specific antibodies and pathogen DNA. The presence of pathogen DNA was confirmed in 14 out of 150 (9.3%) blood samples, while specific antibodies were detected in sera from 60 out of 150 (40.4%) animals. Conclusions Our results indicate that ticks, although not the primary source of the bacteria, are infected with C. burnetii and may represent a potential source of infection for humans and animals. Ticks collected from animals were most likely found to harbor C. burnetii DNA, and the infection was not lost during molting. The persistence and distribution of pathogens in cattle and sheep indicates that C. burnetii is constantly present in Slovenia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 2383
Author(s):  
S. HIRECHE ◽  
A. AGABOU ◽  
Ο. BOUAZIZ

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the rickettsia-like Coxiella burnetii and leads to abortions and decreased reproductive performances in domestic ruminants. A serological survey, using ELISA test, was conducted to assess the prevalence of this infection in 226 ewes belonging to 39 flocks localized in Constantine (North-eastern Algeria). A pretested questionnaire has been submitted to farmers/shepherds to collect information related to relevant risk factors. Results revealed the presence of C. burnetii antibodies in 12.4% (95% CI: 8.08%−16.72%) of individual animals while 35.9% (95% CI: 21.20%−52.82%) of sampled flocks accounted at least one seropositive ewe. Significant causative associations were observed for origin of animals (χ2=14.29, P=0.001), vaccination against enterotoxaemia (χ2=12.12, P=0.002) and pox (χ2=5.30, P=0.025), access to the farm by foreign visitors (χ2=10.87, P=0.004), farmers/shepherds’ visits to other farms (χ2=6.31, P=0.021), disinfection frequency (χ2=7.98, P=0.046), pest infestation within farms (χ2=9.55, P=0.049) and abortion history (χ2=5.54, P=0.029). This recorded prevalence of Coxiella infection would indicate a possible responsibility of this agent in causing abortion and reproductive failures in the tested flocks. Implementing active surveillance programs and further investigations using more accurate analyses and including large samples of more animal species from several provinces are needed to eluci date the real occurrence and dynamics of this infection in the national livestock.


2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (05) ◽  
pp. 648-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Nilsson ◽  
Jan-Åke Nilsson ◽  
Peter Svensson ◽  
Ola Björgell

SummaryResistance to activated protein C due to FV:R 506Q mutation is the most common known genetic risk factor for deep leg vein thrombosis (DVT). The aim of this prospective study was to describe and compare the location and extent of DVT, reflected by a scoring system, in a group of patients with and without FV:R 506Q mutation. Of 247 consecutively included patients undergoing phlebography 105 had a DVT, 36 (35%) in the FV:R 506Q mutation group and 69 (65%) in the non-FV:R 506Q mutation group. Compared to the non-FV:R 506Q mutation group there was a significant increase in the incidence of DVT in the FV:R 506Q mutation group (p = 0.041, OR = 1.79 [1.02–3.15]), a significantly lower mean DVT score of the iliofemoral vein segments (p = 0.0081) and a significantly lower incidence of DVT in the iliofemoral vein segments (p = 0.007, OR = 10.6 [1.3–83.3]), 1/36 (2.8%) compared to 16/69 (23.2%). As controls 288 blood donors were included, with and without FV:R 506Q mutation and with no history of DVT in order to evaluate risk factors of DVT. The odds ratio of an iliofemoral DVT was 0.5 ([0.06–3.90), p = 0.50]) when FV:R 506Q mutation was present, compared to the control group, and at locations below the iliofemoral segments 5.28 ([3.01–9.28], p = less than 0.0001). Our findings provide the basis of a detailed phlebographic description and for the first time, to our best knowledge, shows a specific phlebographic pattern that may be linked to an inherited hypercoagulable state.


Transfusion ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris M. Hogema ◽  
Ed Slot ◽  
Michel Molier ◽  
Peter M. Schneeberger ◽  
Mirjam H. Hermans ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Chakrabartty ◽  
P. K. Bhattacharjee ◽  
R. R. Sarker ◽  
A. K. M. A. Rahman ◽  
K. Henning ◽  
...  

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection in domestic ruminants and to detect Coxiella burnetii DNA from ticks and serum samples. A total of 24 ticks, 91 goats and 81 cattle serum samples with the history of abortion and reproductive disorders were collected from the different areas in Bangladesh. The serum samples were tested by CHEKIT Q-Fever Antibody ELISA Test Kit and Coxiella burnetii DNA was detected by multiplex quantitative real- time PCR. The overall prevalence was 7.6% and 6.1% in goats and cattle, respectively. However, none of seropositive samples and tick samples was positive in quantitative real-time PCR.


Author(s):  
A. Chakrabartty ◽  
N. Nahar ◽  
M. S. Rahman ◽  
A. K. M. A. Rahman ◽  
A. S. Sarker ◽  
...  

Background: Q-fever is an important zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii with wide host range of mammals, birds and arthropods worldwide. The prevalence of C. burnetii infection has been reported in domestic ruminants in Bangladesh with no attention on the ‘One Health’ approach for the epidemiological investigation associated with risk factors for prevention of the disease. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the sero-molecular prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection and associated risk factors in domestic ruminants and humans based on ‘One Health’ approach in Bangladesh Materials and Methods: This study on C. burnetii infection was conducted in cattle, goats and humans of the four randomly selected districts (Kurigram, Sirajgonj, Pabna and Mymensingh) in Bangladesh during the period from 2018 to 2021. A total of 162 and 172 serum samples respectively from cattle and goats with the reproductive disorders, 159 serum samples from human patients with pyrexia of unknown origin lasting over a period of three weeks and who were in close contact with animal, 119 milk samples from cows with reproductive disorders and 6 aborted materials from goat were collected from these selected districts for the detection of C. burnetii antibody by ELISA and DNA by PCR assay. The research was performed with the collaboration of OIE reference laboratory for Q fever, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Germany. Results: The overall sero-prevalence of C. burnetii infection by ELISA was 3.01% in cattle, 7.6 % in goats and 0.63% in humans. The highest sero-positivity was recorded in cattle in Mymensingh (4.5%) in comparison to Pabna (2.8%), Kurigram (2.5%) and Sirajgonj (2.4%) districts. Risk factors associated with higher sero-positivity of C. burnetii infection was recorded in cattle with  5 years (4.4%) than 3 to 5 years (2.1%), indigenous (4.2%) than cross-bred (2.6%), history of retention of placenta (5.6%) than abortion (2.3%) and natural service (5.9%) than artificial insemination (2.3%). The sero-positivity of C. burnetii infection in goat showed highest in Kurigram (10.0%), followed by Sirajgonj (9.5%) and Mymensingh (9.3%) with no positive reactors in Pabna district. Risk factors associated with sero-positivity of C. burnetii infection in goats showed higher in > 2 years (14.1%) than up to 2 years (2.1%) age group and higher with the history of abortion (10.0%) than retention of placenta (4.2%). Risk factors associated with positivity of C. burnetii infection detected in milk samples of cows by ELISA showed an overall 21.85% positivity associated with history of reproductive disorders, with highest positivity in anestrus (33.3%), followed by retention of placenta (24.4%), abortion (21.7%) and lowest with repeat breeding (8.3%). In addition, higher positivity was recorded in cross-bred (24.2%) than in indigenous (12.5%) cattle. In case of humans, only one human patient (0.63%) had positive for IgG phase-II ELISA. C. burnetii DNA was detected in two sero-positive milk samples but all of the intermediate positive milk samples by ELISA were negative by PCR assay and even none of the aborted material of goat was positive in PCR and cell culture. Conclusions: This study recorded the prevalence and risk factors associated with the zoonotic C. burnetii infection in both the domestic ruminants and humans but still it is unrecognized and underestimated in both human and animal health and research in Bangladesh. The findings of this study support the further research on C. burnetii in both human and veterinary medicine under ‘One Health’ approach particularly targeting epidemiology on the agent, host and environment for the control and prevention of the disease in Bangladesh. Keywords: C. burnetii, Ruminants, Humans, ELISA, PCR, Sera, Milk, Prevalence, Risk factors, ‘One Health’ approach


Author(s):  
William Stokes ◽  
Jack Janvier ◽  
Stephen Vaughan

Chronic Q fever is a potentially life-threatening infection from the intracellular, Gram-negativeCoxiella burnetii. It presents most commonly as endocarditis or vascular infection in people with underlying cardiac or vascular disease. We discuss a case of a 67-year-old male withCoxiella burnetiivascular infection of a perirenal abdominal aortic graft. The patient had a history of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair 5 years earlier. He presented with a 12 × 6 × 8 cm perirenal pseudoaneurysm and concomitant L1, L2, and L3 vertebral body discitis. He underwent an open repair which revealed a grossly infected graft perioperatively. Q fever serology revealed phase I serological IgG titer of 1 : 2048 and phase II 1 : 1024 consistent with chronic Q fever. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on infected vascular tissue was positive forC. burnetii. The patient was started on doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine with good clinical response and decreasing serological titers. Recognizing chronic Q fever is a difficult task as symptoms are nonspecific, exposure risk is difficult to ascertain, and diagnosis is hidden from conventional microbiological investigations. Its recognition, however, is critical asC. burnetiiis inherently resistant to standard empiric therapies used in cardiovascular infections.


2020 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pouquet ◽  
N. Bareille ◽  
R. Guatteo ◽  
L. Moret ◽  
F. Beaudeau

Abstract Domestic ruminants (cattle, goats and sheep) are considered to be the main reservoirs for human Coxiella burnetii infection. However, there is still a need to assess the specific contribution of cattle. Indeed, most seroprevalence studies in humans were carried out in areas comprising both cattle and small ruminants, the latter being systematically implicated in human Q fever outbreaks. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study in areas where C. burnetii infection in cattle was endemic, where the density of cattle and small ruminant farms were respectively high and very low. The aim was to estimate the seroprevalence rates among two occupational (cattle farmers and livestock veterinarians), and one non-occupational (general adult population) risk groups. Sera were collected in 176 cattle farmers, 45 veterinarians and 347 blood donors, and tested for phase I and II antibodies using immunofluorescence assay. Seroprevalence rates were 56.3% among cattle farmers, 88.9% among veterinarians and 12.7% among blood donors. This suggests that a specific risk for acquiring C. burnetii infection from cattle in endemically infected areas exists, mainly for occupational risk groups, but also for the general population. Further research is needed to identify risk factors for C. burnetii infection in humans in such areas.


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