Cross-Sectional Study of Q Fever Seroprevalence among Blood Donors, Israel, 2021.

We evaluated Q fever prevalence in blood donors and assessed the epidemiologic features of the disease in Israel in 2021. We tested serum samples for Coxeilla burnetii phase I and II IgG using immunofluorescent assay, defining a result of >200 as seropositive. We compared geographic and demographic data. We included 1,473 participants; 188 (12.7%) were seropositive. The calculated sex- and age-adjusted national seroprevalence was 13.9% (95% CI 12.2%-15.7%). Male sex and age were independently associated with seropositivity (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2; p = 0.005 for male sex; OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.01-1.03; p<0.001 for age). Residence in the coastal plain was independently associated with seropositivity for Q fever (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.3; p<0.001); residence in rural and farming regions was not. Q fever is highly prevalent in Israel. The unexpected spatial distribution in the nonrural coastal plain suggests an unrecognized mode of transmission.

A sero-epidemiological analysis of Coxiella burnetii infection and its risk factors in livestock from Addis Ababa, Adama, and Modjo abattoirs and pastoral areas of Oromia, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Coxiella burnetii is causing infections in both humans and animals, resulting in Q fever and Coxiellosis, respectively. Information on the occurrence of C. burnetii infection is scarce in Ethiopia. This study estimated the sero-prevalence of C. burnetii infection and associated risk factors in four common livestock species from Addis Ababa, Adama, and Modjo abattoirs and pastoral areas of Oromia, Ethiopia. RESULTS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Sera samples were analyzed for the presence of anti-C. burnetii antibodies using an indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay kit. Out of the 4140 serum samples tested, 777 (18.77%; 95% CI: 17.59, 19.99) were found positive for C. burnetii. The sero-prevalence estimate was 27.17% at Addis Ababa abattoir, 19.41% at Adama abattoir, 19.13% at Modjo abattoir and 12.1% in animals tested from pastoral areas. Sera analysis at the animal species level showed that cattle exhibited the lowest sero-prevalence estimate (11.83%; 95% CI, 10.27-13.53%), while the highest was observed in camels (28.39%; 95% CI, 25.16-31.80%). The sero-prevalence estimate was 21.34% (95% CI, 18.86-23.99%) in goats and 20.17% (95% CI, 17.49-23.07%) in sheep. The results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that species, age, sex of animals and tick infestation were important risk factors for C. burnetii infection. The odds of infection were 3.22 times higher in camels and almost twice as high in goats and sheep compared to cattle. Adult animals were infected more likely (OR = 3.23) than young ones. Interestingly, a significant difference was observed in the sero-prevalence of infection between animals that were infested with ticks (OR = 16.32) and those which were tick-free. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights into the sero-epidemiology of C. burnetii infection in four common livestock species at major abattoirs and pastoral areas of Ethiopia. The findings highlight the need for further studies and implementing surveillance and biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease in both humans and livestock to safeguard the economical and public health aspects.

Molecular and serological diagnosis of multiple bacterial zoonoses in febrile outpatients in Garissa County, north-eastern Kenya.

Bacterial zoonoses are diseases caused by bacterial pathogens that can be naturally transmitted between humans and vertebrate animals. They are important causes of non-malarial fevers in Kenya, yet their epidemiology remains unclear. We investigated brucellosis, Q-fever and leptospirosis in the venous blood of 216 malaria-negative febrile patients recruited in two health centres (98 from Ijara and 118 from Sangailu health centres) in Garissa County in north-eastern Kenya. We determined exposure to the three zoonoses using serological (Rose Bengal test for Brucella spp., ELISA for C. burnetti and microscopic agglutination test for Leptospira spp.) and real-time PCR testing and identified risk factors for exposure. We also used non-targeted metagenomic sequencing on nine selected patients to assess the presence of other possible bacterial causes of non-malarial fevers. Considerable PCR positivity was found for Brucella (19.4%, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 14.2-25.5) and Leptospira spp. (1.7%, 95% CI 0.4-4.9), and high endpoint titres were observed against leptospiral serovar Grippotyphosa from the serological testing. Patients aged 5-17 years old had 4.02 (95% CI 1.18-13.70, p-value = 0.03) and 2.42 (95% CI 1.09-5.34, p-value = 0.03) times higher odds of infection with Brucella spp. and Coxiella burnetii than those of ages 35-80. Additionally, patients who sourced water from dams/springs, and other sources (protected wells, boreholes, bottled water, and water pans) had 2.39 (95% CI 1.22-4.68, p-value = 0.01) and 2.24 (1.15-4.35, p-value = 0.02) times higher odds of exposure to C. burnetii than those who used unprotected wells. Streptococcus and Moraxella spp. were determined using metagenomic sequencing. Brucellosis, leptospirosis, Streptococcus and Moraxella infections are potentially important causes of non-malarial fevers in Garissa. This knowledge can guide routine diagnosis, thus helping lower the disease burden and ensure better health outcomes, especially in younger populations.

Infection by Coxiella burnetii in a patient from a rural area of Monteria, Colombia / Infección por Coxiella burnetii en un paciente de un área rural de Montería, Colombia

O objetivo deste estudo foi construir um instrumento que avalia a qualidade de vida no trabalho de forma global, seguindo os moldes dos instrumentos de avaliação da qualidade de vida da Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHOQOL) e alicerçado nos modelos teóricos clássicos de qualidade de vida no trabalho, com direcionamento para a sociedade contemporânea brasileira. Metodologia A validação de conteúdo foi realizada através da análise por pesquisadores da área da qualidade de vida no trabalho, enquanto a verificação da consistência interna ocorreu por meio da utilização do coeficiente alfa de Cronbach, em uma aplicação a 143 indivíduos. Resultados A versão final do instrumento é constituída de 47 questões, sendo cinco para conhecimento da amostra e 42 seccionadas em cinco esferas que contemplam as dimensões da qualidade de vida no trabalho. O alfa de Cronbach obtido a partir da aplicação do instrumento foi de 0,8568. Para o cálculo dos resultados do instrumento fora desenvolvida a sintaxe SPSS e uma ferramenta no software Microsoft Excel que realiza os cálculos forma automatizada após a tabulação dos dados. Conclusão Conclui-se que o objetivo de validar um instrumento global de avaliação da qualidade de vida no trabalho validado a partir da cultura hodierna brasileira, com características psicométricas satisfatórias foi atingido, podendo este ser aplicado sem a obrigatoriedade de utilização do software SPSS...

The objective of this study was to build an instrument that evaluates quality of working life (QW:) in a comprehensive way that is in line with the WHOQOL instruments and is based on QWL's classic theoretical models, directed toward contemporary Brazilian society. Methods The content validation was performed through analysis by researchers in the area of QWL, and the verification of internal consistency was performed with Cronbach's alpha. The instrument was administered to 143 individuals. Results The final version of the instrument consists of 47 questions, with five for sampling knowledge and the remaining 42 divided into five spheres that take into account the dimensions of QWL.. Cronbach's alpha obtained from the administration of the instrument was 0.8568. A SPSS syntax and a tool in Microsoft Excel that performs the automated calculation after data tabulation was developed to calculate the results. Conclusions We conclude that the goal of validating a comprehensive instrument with satisfactory psychometrical characteristics for the evaluation of QWL based on contemporary Brazilian culture was reached. This tool may be used without a need for SPSS utilization...

Diagnóstico serológico de la fiebre Q: ¿una asignatura pendiente? / Serological diagnosis of Q- fever: a pending matter?

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Diagnóstico serológico de la fiebre Q / Serological diagnosis of Q fever

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Diagnóstico serológico de la fiebre Q. Respuesta de los autores / Serological diagnosis of Q fever. Reply

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Estudio clínico-serológico de la Fiebre Q en nuestro medio / Clinical and serological study of Q Fever in our means

Se pretende estudiar la seroprevalencia de infección porCoxiella burneti, y la incidencia de esta patología en nuestromedio. También destacamos la importancia del diagnósticoprecoz en su forma aguda para evitar las formas crónicas.MATERIAL Y METODOS.Analizamos 1259 sueros de 927 pacientes con clínica deinfección por Coxiella burneti, determinando anticuerpos IgG eIgM frente al antígeno en Fase II, resultando positivos 81. En19, determinamos anticuerpos IgG frente al antígeno en FaseI. Analizamos 102 sueros de donantes frente al antígeno enFase II . Se utilizaron los programas SPSS 6.0. y el test x2.RESULTADOS.Anticuerpos IgG positivos frente al antígeno en Fase II en132 pacientes (18,34%). De 132 pacientes, 78 tenían anticuerposIgG a título significativo, 3 anticuerpos IgM , seroconversiónen 34. De 81 pacientes, 19 presentaban clínica de FiebreQ crónica y anticuerpos frente al antígeno en Fase I, 8. Enlos donantes, 102, la seroprevalencia fue del 3,92 % al 11,69%. No se encontraron diferencias significativas respecto aedad, sexo ni procedencia, si en títulos menor o igual a 1/32. CONCLUSIONES.La Fiebre Q es un patología en la que hay que pensar paraevitar complicaciones graves sobre todo en su forma crónica.Su diagnóstico se incluirá en el protocolo de fiebres de origendesconocido

The objective of this work is to study the seroprevalence ofinfection for Coxiella burneti, in four years, evaluating the incidenceof this pathology in our means, in his sharp form and inchronic Q Fever. Also we highlighted the importance of the precociousdiagnosis in his sharp form to avoid the chronic forms.METHODS.Examined him 927 patients’s 1259 serums with clinic ofinfection for Coxiella burneti. In wholes, we determined antibodiesIgG and IgM in front of the antigen in Phase II, clause positive81. In 19 we determined antibodies IgG in front of the antigenin Phase I. We examined 102 donors’s serums in front ofthe antigen in Phase II. The SPSS utilized the programs themselves6,0 and the test x2.RESULTS.Antibodies IgG positive in front of the antigen in Fase II in132 patients, (18.34 %). Of 132 patients, 78 had antibodiesIgG to significant title, 3 antibodies IgM, seroconversion in 34.Of 81 patients, 19 presented clinical of Fever chronic Q andantibodies in front of the antigen in Phase I, 8. In donors, 102,the seroprevalence was from 3.92 % to 11.69 %. They did notfind significant differences in relation to age, sex neither precedence,but yes in younger titles or equal to 1/32. CONCLUSIONS.Fever the Q is one pathology that it is necessary to thinkabout to avoid grave complications most of all in his chronicform. His diagnosis will be included in the protocol of fevers ofunknown origin