Coxiella burnetii infection in a patient did not involve tick bite

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
changwoo kim ◽  
Choon Mee Kim ◽  
Na Ra Yun ◽  
Dong-Min Kim
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Serum Sample ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Igg Antibody

Abstract Background: Coxiella burnetii that causes Q fever in humans is transmitted through contaminated aerosols or consumption of raw milk from infected animals. Ticks are known to be vectors of C. burnetii, but their role in human infection is still controversial. Method: In this study, an epidemiological investigation was conducted on a 60-year-old man hospitalized with fever. Polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) were performed on the blood sample of the patient and the four ticks collected from the patient to diagnose vector-borne infectious diseases. Indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFAs) were performed on the serum sample to detect IgG and IgM antibodies specific to Q fever, spotted fever, Lyme disease, and anaplasmosis. Results: The ticks collected were identified as adult female Haemaphysalis longicornis. All PCRs performed on blood specimens yielded negative results, except for the Coxiella sp.-specific 16S rRNA nested PCR (N-PCR). Coxiella 16S rRNA N-PCR and sequencing results confirmed the presence of C. burnetii. IFA results indicated that the serum sample showed ≥ 4-fold increase in both IgM and IgG antibody titers against Q fever. PCR results were positive only for three ticks and showed the presence of C. endosymbiont. The phylogenetic tree showed that ticks had Coxiella-like bacteria and the patient had C. burnetii. The ticks carrying Coxiella-like bacteria were Haemaphysalis symbionts. Conclusions: Even though the patient and ticks were all positive to Coxiella sp.-specific 16S rRNA N-PCR, since different bacterial species were isolated from the patient and the ticks, we concluded that he was not infected with C. burnetii through tick bites.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards spotted fever group rickettsioses and Q fever in Laikipia and Maasai Mara, Kenya

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Ndeereh ◽  
Gerald Muchemi ◽  
Andrew Thaiyah
Keyword(s):  
Q Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Sub Saharan

Many factors contribute to misdiagnosis and underreporting of infectious zoonotic diseases in most sub-Saharan Africa including limited diagnostic capacity and poor knowledge. We assessed the knowledge, practices and attitudes towards spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR) and Q fever amongst local residents in Laikipia and Maasai Mara in Kenya. A semistructured questionnaire was administered to a total of 101 respondents including 51 pastoralists, 17 human health providers, 28 wildlife sector personnel and 5 veterinarians. The pastoralists expressed no knowledge about SFGR and Q fever. About 26.7% of the wildlife sector personnel in Laikipia expressed some knowledge about SFGR and none in Maasai Mara. None of these respondents had knowledge about Q fever. About 45.5 and 33.3% of the health providers in Laikipia and Maasai Mara respectively expressed knowledge about SFGR and 9.1% in Laikipia expressed good knowledge on Q fever and none in Maasai Mara. The diseases are not considered amongst potential causes of febrile illnesses in most medical facilities except in one facility in Laikipia. Majority of pastoralists practiced at least one predisposing activity for transmission of the diseases including consumption of raw milk, attending to parturition and sharing living accommodations with livestock. Education efforts to update knowledge on medical personnel and One-Health collaborations should be undertaken for more effective mitigation of zoonotic disease threats. The local communities should be sensitized through a multidisciplinary approach to avoid practices that can predispose them to the diseases.

scholarly journals Identification of Coxiella burnetii in Raw Milk of Livestock Animal in Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ashraf Mohabati Mobarez ◽  
Ehsan Mostafavi ◽  
Mohammad Khalili ◽  
Saber Esmaeili
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Goat Milk ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Sheep Milk ◽  
Dairy Animals

Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever in humans and animals. This study aimed to determine the frequency of C. burnetii in milk samples of dairy animals (goats, sheep, and cattle) in some selected regions in Iran, where there is no information about prevalence of C. burnetii. In this study, 162 individual milk samples were collected from 43 farms in three provinces (Tehran, Hamadan, and Mazandaran). Real-time PCR was used for the detection of IS1111a element of C. burnetii. In total, 23 of 162 samples (14.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 9.65–20.2%) were positive for C. burnetii by real-time PCR. C. burnetii was detected in 10.17% (95% CI: 4.74–20.46) of goat milk samples. In sheep milk samples, 18.6% (95% CI: 9.74–32.62) were positive, and C. burnetii was detected in 15% (95% CI: 8.1–26.11) of cattle milk samples. Molecular evidence of the presence of C. burnetii was seen in milk samples of dairy animals in all the studied regions. These findings demonstrated that C. burnetii infection, especially in raw milk samples, deserves more attention from the health care system and veterinary organization in Iran.

scholarly journals Inactivation Kinetics of Coxiella burnetii During High-Temperature Short-Time Pasteurization of Milk

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Wittwer ◽  
Philipp Hammer ◽  
Martin Runge ◽  
Peter Valentin-Weigand ◽  
Heinrich Neubauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
High Heat ◽  
Inactivation Kinetics ◽  
Causative Organism ◽  
Codex Alimentarius ◽  
High Temperature Short Time ◽  
Heat Treated

The Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii is the causative organism of the zoonosis Q fever and is known for its resistance toward various intra- and extracellular stressors. Infected ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats can shed the pathogen in their milk. Pasteurization of raw milk was introduced for the inactivation of C. burnetii and other milk-borne pathogens. Legal regulations for the pasteurization of milk are mostly based on recommendations of the Codex Alimentarius. As described there, C. burnetii is considered as the most heat-resistant non-spore-forming bacterial pathogen in milk and has to be reduced by at least 5 log10-steps during the pasteurization process. However, the corresponding inactivation data for C. burnetii originate from experiments performed more than 60 years ago. Recent scientific findings and the technological progress of modern pasteurization equipment indicate that C. burnetii is potentially more effectively inactivated during pasteurization than demanded in the Codex Alimentarius. In the present study, ultra-high heat-treated milk was inoculated with different C. burnetii field isolates and subsequently heat-treated in a pilot-plant pasteurizer. Kinetic inactivation data in terms of D- and z-values were determined and used for the calculation of heat-dependent log reduction. With regard to the mandatory 5 log10-step reduction of the pathogen, the efficacy of the established heat treatment regime was confirmed, and, in addition, a reduction of the pasteurization temperature seems feasible.

scholarly journals Phylogeography of Human and Animal Coxiella burnetii Strains: Genetic Fingerprinting of Q Fever in Belgium

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Tomaiuolo ◽  
Samira Boarbi ◽  
Tiziano Fancello ◽  
Patrick Michel ◽  
Damien Desqueper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeat ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Apparent Prevalence ◽  
Domestic Ruminants ◽  
Contamination Routes

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants are the primary source for human infection, and the identification of likely contamination routes from the reservoir animals the critical point to implement control programs. This study shows that Q fever is detected in Belgium in abortion of cattle, goat and sheep at a different degree of apparent prevalence (1.93%, 9.19%, and 5.50%, respectively). In addition, and for the first time, it is detected in abortion of alpaca (Vicugna pacos), raising questions on the role of these animals as reservoirs. To determine the relationship between animal and human strains, Multiple Locus Variable-number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) (n=146), Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) (n=92) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) (n=4) methods were used to characterize samples/strains during 2009-2019. Three MLVA clusters (A, B, C) subdivided in 23 subclusters (A1-A12, B1-B8, C1-C3) and 3 SNP types (SNP1, SNP2, SNP6) were identified. The SNP2 type/MLVA cluster A was the most abundant and dispersed genotype over the entire territory, but it seemed not responsible for human cases, as it was only present in animal samples. The SNP1/MLVA B and SNP6/MLVA C clusters were mostly found in small ruminant and human samples, with the rare possibility of spillovers in cattle. SNP1/MLVA B cluster was present in all Belgian areas, while the SNP6/MLVA C cluster appeared more concentrated in the Western provinces. A broad analysis of European MLVA profiles confirmed the host-species distribution described for Belgian samples. In silico genotyping (WGS) further identified the spacer types and the genomic groups of C. burnetii Belgian strains: cattle and goat SNP2/MLVA A isolates belonged to ST61 and genomic group III, while the goat SNP1/MLVA B strain was classified as ST33 and genomic group II. In conclusion, Q fever is widespread in all Belgian domestic ruminants and in alpaca. We determined that the public health risk in Belgium is likely linked to specific genomic groups (SNP1/MLVA B and SNP6/MLVA C) mostly found in small ruminant strains. Considering the concordance between Belgian and European results, these considerations could be extended to other European countries.

scholarly journals First serological record of Coxiella burnetii infection in the equine population of Slovakia

Biologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Drážovská ◽  
Marián Prokeš ◽  
Boris Vojtek ◽  
Jana Mojžišová ◽  
Anna Ondrejková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Elisa Method ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Specific Antibodies

AbstractCoxiella burnetii is a worldwide zoonotic pathogen causing Q fever in various animal species and humans. In Slovakia, cases of C. burnetii infection in both animals and humans are confirmed every year. The role of horses in the epidemiology of this neglected disease is still unclear. In our study, we focused on a serosurvey of C. burnetii in the equine population in Slovakia by the ELISA method. Subsequently, a nested PCR was performed to detect the 16S rRNA fragment of the genus Coxiella. Among 184 horse sera, the presence of specific antibodies to C. burnetii was detected in four samples, representing a 2.17% seropositivity. All the positive horses were mares; two originated from Central Slovakia and two from Eastern Slovakia. Although the number of positive samples was too small for a determination of statistical significance, our results provide the first confirmation of antibodies to C. burnetii in horses from Slovakia. Although no positive PCR result was obtained, these serological findings may help to clarify the circulation of the pathogen in the environment.

scholarly journals COMPARISON OF DIAGNOSTIC EFFECTIVENESS OF METHODS OF DETECTION OF COXIELLA BURNETII IN BLOOD OF PATIENTS WITH Q FEVER BASED ON AMPLIFICATION OF 16S rRNA GENE FRAGMENTS (STANDARD PCR) AND groEL GENE (REALTIME PCR)

2016 ◽  
pp. 70-74
Author(s):  
Yu. A. Panferova ◽  
O. A. Freilikhman ◽  
N. K. Tokarevich ◽  
S. F. Karpenko ◽  
Kh. M. Galimzyanov
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Clinical Material ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Gene Fragment ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Marker ◽  
Infectious Process

Aim. Comparison of diagnostic capabilities of 2 variants of PCR for detection of Coxiella burnetii persistence in dynamics of infectious process in patients with Q fever. Materials and methods. 110 samples of clinical material, obtained from patients with Q fever in an endemic region for this infection (Astrakhan region), were studied. The samples were studied in a standard PCR (marker - 16S rRNA gene fragment) and in real-time PCR (RT-PCR) (marker - groEL gene fragment). Results. Both markers were established to be perspective for detection of C. burnetii DNA in clinical material, and RT-PCR detects positive result including late stages of the disease (illness day 21 - 31). Conclusion. This study is the first Russian publication on comparison on different PCR variants for detection of C. burnetii in blood of Q fever patients in dynamics of the infectious process.

scholarly journals Serological survey of Coxiella burnetii infections in dairy cattle, sheep, goats and zoo animals in Hungary – Short communication

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Dobos ◽  
István Fodor ◽  
Gerda Kiss ◽  
Miklós Gyuranecz
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Ruminant Species ◽  
Zoo Animals

AbstractQ fever is a disease of high zoonotic potential, but interest in its causative agent is rather low although it causes some public health problems in Hungary. The prevalence of Q fever is highly variable by country. The main reservoirs of the disease are the same domestic ruminant species everywhere, but the epidemiological profile depends on the features of the specific reservoir. The aim of this large-scale study was to demonstrate the importance of Q fever in different species as a possible source for human infection in most regions of Hungary. A total of 851 serum samples from 44 dairy farms, 16 sheep flocks, 4 goat farms and 3 zoos located in different parts of Hungary were tested. The presence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii was surveyed in dairy cattle (n = 547), goats (n = 71), sheep (n = 200) and zoo animals (n = 33). The animal species tested in Hungary showed different seroprevalence values of C. burnetii infection. Seropositivity by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was found in 258 out of 547 (47.2%) cows and in 69 out of 271 (25.5%) small ruminants, among them in 47 out of 200 (23.5%) sheep and in 22 out of 71 (31.0%) goats. Antibodies to C. burnetii were not detected in zoo animals. Seropositivity was demonstrated in 44 out of 44 (100%) dairy cattle farms, with at least one serum sample found to be positive on each farm. The seropositivity rate of small ruminant farms was 55.0% (11 positive out of 20 tested), with 9 out of 16 (56.3%) sheep flocks and 2 out of 4 (50.0%) goat herds showing seropositivity.

A One Health Perspective on Q Fever

2019 ◽  
pp. 174-194
Author(s):  
Rita Cruz ◽  
Carmen Vasconcelos-Nobrega ◽  
Fernando Esteves ◽  
Catarina Coelho ◽  
Ana Sofia Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
One Health ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Veterinary Public Health ◽  
Human Infections

Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease caused by Coxiella burnetii and ruminants, namely, cattle, sheep, and goats, are known to be the main reservoir for human infection. C. burnetii infection in animals can result in epizootic abortions which are often associated with vast bacteria shedding in birth fluids and placentas. Human infections mainly occur in persons handling infected animals and their products. Here the authors describe the history, bacteriology, biosafety, and epidemiology of Q fever, now known to be a serious threat to veterinary public health.

scholarly journals Proteome and Antigen Profiling of Coxiella burnetii Developmental Forms

2006 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 290-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry A. Coleman ◽  
Elizabeth R. Fischer ◽  
Diane C. Cockrell ◽  
Daniel E. Voth ◽  
Dale Howe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Proteome Analysis ◽  
Large Cell ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Developmental Cycle ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Immunogenic Proteins ◽  
Acute Q Fever ◽  
Insight Into

ABSTRACT A biphasic developmental cycle whereby highly resistant small-cell variants (SCVs) are generated from large-cell variants (LCVs) is considered fundamental to the virulence of Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of human Q fever. In this study a proteome analysis of C. burnetii developmental forms was conducted to provide insight into their unique biological and immunological properties. Silver-stained gels of SCV and LCV lysates separated by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis resolved over 675 proteins in both developmental forms. Forty-eight proteins were greater than twofold more abundant in LCVs than in SCVs, with six proteins greater than twofold more abundant in SCVs than in LCVs. Four and 15 upregulated proteins of SCVs and LCVs, respectively, were identified by mass spectrometry, and their predicted functional roles are consistent with a metabolically active LCV and a structurally resistant SCV. One-dimensional and 2-D immunoblots of cell form lysates probed with sera from infected/vaccinated guinea pigs and convalescent-phase serum from human patients who had recovered from acute Q fever, respectively, revealed both unique SCV/LCV antigens and common SCV/LCV antigens that were often differentially synthesized. Antigens recognized during human infection were identified by mass spectroscopy and included both previously described immunodominant proteins of C. burnetii and novel immunogenic proteins that may be important in the pathophysiology of clinical Q fever and/or the induction of protective immunity.

scholarly journals Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Symptomatic Acute Q Fever Do Not Prohibit IgG Antibody Responses to Coxiella burnetii

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 1661-1666 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. H. Wielders ◽  
L. M. Kampschreur ◽  
P. M. Schneeberger ◽  
M. M. Jager ◽  
A. I. M. Hoepelman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Phase I ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Acute Q Fever

ABSTRACTLittle is known about the effect of timing of antibiotic treatment on development of IgG antibodies following acute Q fever. We studied IgG antibody responses in symptomatic patients diagnosed either before or during development of the serologic response toCoxiella burnetii. Between 15 and 31 May 2009, 186 patients presented with acute Q fever, of which 181 were included in this retrospective study: 91 early-diagnosed (ED) acute Q fever patients, defined as negative IgM phase II enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and positive PCR, and 90 late-diagnosed (LD) acute Q fever patients, defined as positive/dubious IgM phase II ELISA and positive immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Follow-up serology at 3, 6, and 12 months was performed using IFA (IgG phase I and II). High IgG antibody titers were defined as IgG phase II titers of ≥1:1,024 together with IgG phase I titers of ≥1:256. At 12 months, 28.6% of ED patients and 19.5% of LD patients had high IgG antibody titers (P= 0.17). No statistically significant differences were found in frequencies of IgG phase I and IgG phase II antibody titers at all follow-up appointments for adequately and inadequately treated patients overall, as well as for ED and LD patients analyzed separately. Additionally, no significant difference was found in frequencies of high antibody titers and between early (treatment started within 7 days after seeking medical attention) and late timing of treatment. This study indicates that early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment of acute Q fever do not prohibit development of the IgG antibody response.

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