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Seroprevalence estimate and risk factors for Coxiella burnetii infections among humans in a highly urbanised Brazilian state

2021; Oxford University Press; Volume: 116; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/trstmh/trab113

1878-3503

Igor Rosa Meurer, Márcio Roberto Silva, Marcos Vinícius Ferreira Silva, Ana Íris de Lima Duré, Talita Adelino, Alana Vitor Barbosa da Costa, Chislene Pereira Vanelli, Ricardo José de Paula Souza e Guimarães, Tatiana Rozental, Elba Regina Sampaio de Lemos, José Otávio do Amaral Corrêa,

Viral Infections and Vectors

Abstract Background Q fever is among the top 13 global priority zoonoses, however, it is still neglected and under-reported in most of the world, including Brazil. Thus, we evaluated the seroprevalence of and the risk factors for Coxiella burnetii infections in humans from Minas Gerais, a highly urbanised Brazilian state. Methods Coxiella burnetii was searched for patient samples (n=437), which were suspected of then later confirmed as negative for dengue fever, by the indirect immunofluorescence technique and real-time PCR. Risk factors for infections and spatial clusters for both C. burnetii-seropositive individuals and livestock concentration were evaluated. Results We found that 21 samples (4.8%; 95% CI 3.0 to 7.2%) were reactive for at least one class of anti-C. burnetii antibodies (titer of ≥64), with rural residence (p=0.036) being a risk factor. Also, two spatial clusters of seropositivity were found within a significant area by Scan, and a probable relationship between the Scan result and the livestock concentration by area was found. Conclusions Seropositive individuals were associated with rural residence, with a likely relationship with the livestock concentration. Thus, this study establishes baseline figures for C. burnetii seroprevalence in humans in a state of Brazil, allowing the monitoring of trends and setting of control targets, as well as more representative longitudinal and risk analysis studies.