Q fever.
نویسندگان
چکیده
Q fever is a zoonosis with a worldwide distribution with the exception of New Zealand. The disease is caused by Coxiella burnetii, a strictly intracellular, gram-negative bacterium. Many species of mammals, birds, and ticks are reservoirs of C. burnetii in nature. C. burnetii infection is most often latent in animals, with persistent shedding of bacteria into the environment. However, in females intermittent high-level shedding occurs at the time of parturition, with millions of bacteria being released per gram of placenta. Humans are usually infected by contaminated aerosols from domestic animals, particularly after contact with parturient females and their birth products. Although often asymptomatic, Q fever may manifest in humans as an acute disease (mainly as a self-limited febrile illness, pneumonia, or hepatitis) or as a chronic disease (mainly endocarditis), especially in patients with previous valvulopathy and to a lesser extent in immunocompromised hosts and in pregnant women. Specific diagnosis of Q fever remains based upon serology. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antiphase II antibodies are detected 2 to 3 weeks after infection with C. burnetii, whereas the presence of IgG antiphase I C. burnetii antibodies at titers of >/=1:800 by microimmunofluorescence is indicative of chronic Q fever. The tetracyclines are still considered the mainstay of antibiotic therapy of acute Q fever, whereas antibiotic combinations administered over prolonged periods are necessary to prevent relapses in Q fever endocarditis patients. Although the protective role of Q fever vaccination with whole-cell extracts has been established, the population which should be primarily vaccinated remains to be clearly identified. Vaccination should probably be considered in the population at high risk for Q fever endocarditis.
منابع مشابه
Epidemiologic Investigation of Acute Q Fever in North of Iran
Background and purpose: Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis which is an endemic in many regions. Its diagnosis is usually missed especially in human. This research aimed at investigating acute Q fever among suspected patients in northern Iran. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 56 suspected cases of Q fever selected from 476 febrile patients admitted in Qaemshahr R...
متن کاملThe Frequency of IgM anti-Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) Antibodies among Slaughterhouse Workers in Kerman city, 2012
Background & Aim: Q fever is an important zoonotic disease caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii, a Gram negative, obligate intracellular bacterium classified within the order Legionellales. Farmers, veterinarians, abattoir workers and laboratory personnel are among persons at risk of Q fever. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of IgM anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies in slau...
متن کاملQ fever a Forgotten Disease in Iran
There have already been a few studies on Q fever in Iran and most of them go back to more than 50 years ago. Preliminary serologic studies on ruminants and febrile patients in Southeast Iran show a high seropositivity in this region. Misdiagnosis as well as poor attention of public health authorities to this infection can facilitate the epidemic spread of Q fever. Further studies on the diagnos...
متن کاملSeroprevalence of Q Fever in Rural Pregnant Women in Khorramabad Using Method
Background: Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular microorganism that causes Q fever in humans and animals. A high risk for obstetric complications has been reported among women infected with Coxiella burnetii. The present study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of C.burnetii infection among rural pregnant women in Khorramabad. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a t...
متن کاملSeroepidemiology of coxiellosis (Q fever) in sheep and goat populations in the northeast of Iran
Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of coxiellosis in animals and Q fever (a zoonotic disease) in humans. Cattle, sheep and goats are the main reservoirs of infection for humans. This serological survey was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of coxiellosis in sheep and goat populations in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. Four hundred and sixty animals (255 sheep from 29 herds in 12...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید
ثبت ناماگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید
ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
دوره 20 3 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 1995