Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anne Conan, Christa A. Gallagher, Nicole Erskine, Michael Howland, Marshalette Smith-Anthony, Silvia Marchi, Ioannis Magouras, Ananda Mueller, Anne A. M. J. Becker
Summary: A study conducted on veterinary students in St. Kitts revealed that they have a low risk of exposure to Coxiella burnetii while attending the veterinary school on the island. However, it was found that they are highly exposed to the bacterium before arriving on the island, indicating a need for increased surveillance and prevention measures.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ranya oezcelik, Mahamat Fayiz Abakar, Michel Jacques Counotte, Fatima Abdelrazak Zakaria, Pidou Kimala, Ramadane Issa, Salome Duerr
Summary: Brucellosis, Rift Valley fever (RVF), and Q fever are prevalent zoonoses among agro-pastoralist communities and their livestock in Chad. A serological survey conducted in two rural health districts found high seroprevalence of RVF and Q fever among humans and animals, while brucellosis had a low prevalence. There was a correlation between human and animal RVF seroprevalence, highlighting the importance of a One Health approach.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anastasia N. Tellis, Sam M. Rowe, Ronald Coilparampil, Cheryl Jenkins, Andrew Dart, Ruth N. Zadoks, Corey D. Regnerus, Katrina L. Bosward
Summary: This study evaluated three testing methods for detecting C. burnetii infection in alpacas, with results showing that immunofluorescence assay (IFA) may be the most appropriate method for use in alpacas. Different testing methods had varying specificity and sensitivity, with low positive predictive values.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dilaram Acharya, Ji-Hyuk Park, Jeong-Hoon Chun, Mi Yeon Kim, Seok-Ju Yoo, Antoine Lewin, Kwan Lee
Summary: This study investigated the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Q fever among VSL workers in South Korea. The seroprevalence and seroreactivity of C. burnetii infection were found to be 7.9% and 16.0%, respectively. The study identified specific work tasks and contact with Q fever-infected animals as significant risk factors for seroprevalence. Precautions, such as using personal protective equipment, are recommended to prevent C. burnetii infections.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Abdelfattah Selim, Marawan A. Marawan, Abdelhamed Abdelhady, Fahdah Ayed Alshammari, Abdulmohsen H. Alqhtani, Hani A. Ba-Awadh, Isiaka O. Olarinre, Ayman A. Swelum
Summary: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in cattle raising in four governorates of Nile Delta, Egypt, and evaluate the associated risk factors for infection. A total of 480 serum samples were collected from cattle and tested for anti-C. burnetii antibodies using indirect ELISA. The overall seroprevalence of C. burnetii was 19.8%, with the highest prevalence in Qalyubia governorate. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed significant association between C. burnetii seropositivity and age, communal grazing and/or watering, contact with small ruminants, and history of infertility. Adequate hygiene procedures and biosecurity measures should be implemented to limit pathogen transmission and potential human exposure in cow herds.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Mathilde Puges, Xavier Berard, Caroline Caradu, Mailys Ducours, Carole Eldin, Mathilde Carrer, Noemie Sauvage, Marc-Olivier Vareil, Laure Alleman, Fatima M'Zali, Sabine Pereyre, Charles Cazanave
Summary: This study presents 5 cases of vascular Q fever with polymicrobial superinfection in patients without risk factors for acute Q fever. Q fever was diagnosed using serologic and molecular assays for Coxiella burnetii, with additional infections confirmed through conventional graft cultures.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Karen O. Mathews, Cathie Savage, Jacqueline M. Norris, David Phalen, Nick Malikides, Paul A. Sheehy, Katrina L. Bosward
Summary: Australian wildlife rehabilitators are at increased risk of developing Q fever, and the risk is not associated with direct contact with wildlife. Rehabilitators who primarily rehabilitate wildlife at veterinary clinics, have domestic ruminants at their rehabilitation sites, have received high school/technical and further education, and are over 50 years old are more likely to develop Q fever. Despite the recommendation for Q fever vaccination, uptake is low in this at-risk group.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fenja Winter, Amely Campe
Summary: Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a zoonotic disease with knowledge gaps among human and veterinary health professionals, mainly due to a lack of awareness. Differences in Q fever knowledge exist between stakeholders in southwestern and northeastern Germany. Information sources to address these gaps involve direct conversations and interdisciplinary resources for cooperation between stakeholders.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Valentina Virginia Ebani, Lisa Guardone, Fabrizio Bertelloni, Stefania Perrucci, Alessandro Poli, Francesca Mancianti
Summary: Wild avifauna can serve as a potential fecal source of bacterial and parasitic zoonotic pathogens, posing a threat to farm animals. Despite low prevalence rates, the results confirm the importance of monitoring and controlling pathogen transmission from wild birds to other species.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Maryam Rahravani, Meysam Moravedji, Ehsan Mostafavi, Mehrdad Mohammadi, Hamid Seyfi, Neda Baseri, Mohammad Mahdi Mozoun, Mina Latifian, Saber Esmaeili
Summary: This study investigated C. burnetii infection in small ruminants and their ticks in western Iran. Results showed the presence of C. burnetii DNA in the samples, indicating a possible role of ticks in the epidemiology of Q fever in Iran.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Michal K. Krzysiak, Martyna Puchalska, Wanda Olech, Krzysztof Anusz
Summary: Q fever is an important zoonotic disease caused by the intracellular Gram-negative bacteria Coxiella burnetii, with a wide range of potential animal sources. The European bison was found to have low levels of infection, suggesting it is not a significant reservoir for the disease.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Morana Tomljenovic, Danijela Lakoseljac, Lucija Knezevic, Marina Bubonja-Sonje, Maja Abram, Silvio Spicic, Maja Zdelar-Tuk, Sanja Duvnjak, Irena Reil, Orea Valjin, Melanija Kramaric, Tihana Miskic, Ivana Lohman Jankovic, Dobrica Roncevic
Summary: In March 2022, a non-occupational exposure outbreak of Q fever occurred in a semi-urban area in Cavle, Croatia. Veterinary and human epidemiological investigations identified airborne transmission as the most likely route of transmission. People living near the farms and in the nearest street had the highest risk of contracting Q fever.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ana Hurtado, Ion I. Zendoia, Eva Alonso, Xabier Beraza, Joseba Bidaurrazaga, Blanca Ocabo, Inaki Arrazola, Aitor Cevidanes, Jesus Barandika, Ana Garcia-Perez
Summary: A large Q fever outbreak occurred in Spain, with 108 cases reported, including 53 cases of pneumonia and 27 hospitalizations. The outbreak began in February 2021 among rock climbers visiting a cave in Bizkaia and continued until October 2021. Most cases were reported after the Easter holiday in April-May 2021.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abdelfattah Selim, Hanem Khater, Hamdan Almohammed
Summary: The study found that the prevalence rate of Neospora caninum among sheep in Egypt was 8.6%, with significant increases associated with age, contact with dogs, and pregnancy status. However, location, season, and pregnancy status did not have a significant impact on the infection.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Laura Laakso, Pikka Jokelainen, Hans Houe, Eystein Skjerve, Johnni Hansen, Elsebeth Lynge, Jan-Ivar Martinsen, Ingrid Sivesind Mehlum, Jenny Selander, Johanna Eyrun Torfadottir, Elisabete Weiderpass, Sanna Heikkinen, Eero Pukkala
Summary: Despite potential exposure to carcinogens, there has been limited research on the cancer profile of veterinarians. This large-scale cohort study in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden found that overall cancer incidence in veterinarians was similar to the general population. However, male veterinarians had elevated incidence of certain cancers before the 1990s, with skin melanoma showing the highest increase. The findings suggest that lifestyle factors may play a role, but there may also be a link between work exposures and kidney and bladder cancers.