Frequency of seropositivity for Coxiella burnetii immunoglobulins in livestock and abattoir workers in Trinidad

ABSTRACT

Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic, rickettsial pathogen which causes mild and severe diseases often referred to as Q-fever in humans, particularly those occupationally exposed. This study determined the seropositivity for Coxiella burnetii IgM immunoglobulins using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in livestock and abattoir workers in Trinidad and related to selected personal characteristics to seroprevalence. Overall, of the 455 humans whose serum samples were tested, 20 (4.4%) were seropositive for C. burnetii IgM immunoglobulin, comprising 13 (4.6%) out of 283 livestock workers, 4 (4.7%) out of 85 abattoir workers and 3 (3.4%) out of 87 office workers (P>0.05; ö2).The age, sex and race of workers were not significantly associated with the occurrence of acute Q-fever (P>0.05; ö2). This is considered the first documentation of Q-fever in the human population in Trinidad. It is difficult to assess the impact of the disease in the country since the disease is not routinely tested for in the local hospitals or diagnostic laboratories.