Analysis of seroprevalence against [i]Coxiella burnetii[/i] in a sample of farm workers in Western Sicily
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2016, Vol 23, Issue 1
Abstract
[b]Introduction and objective. [/b]Little is known about the development of chronic Q fever caused by [i]Coxiella burnetii [/i]in occupational risk groups and in the general population in Italy, as well as in many countries in the world. The aim of this study was to highlight the presence of the infection in a sample of workers operating outdoors (but not directly in contact with animals), in three provinces of western Sicily, in order to detect the human seroprevalence and compare the obtained data with those found in animals raised in the same territory. [b]Materials and methods.[/b] The study included 126 generic seasonal agricultural workers (labourers), 84 male and 42 female; none of whom were aware of any previous contact with[i] Coxiella burnetii.[/i] Their immunologic status against [i]Coxiella burnetii[/i] was tested through research and titration of both phases I and II specific antibodies (IgG) with an indirect immunofluorescence assay, using anti-antibodies labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. All data were statistically analyzed, comparing all positive results from the three provinces through variance analysis, and then comparing human results with those obtained from animals raised in the considered areas, specifically, 1,511 cows, 46 of which were found positive (3.04%), and 3,391 sheep, 548 of which were found positive (16.16%). [b]Results.[/b] Anti-Coxiella antibodies were found in nine of 42 females sampled (21.4%; 95%CI=[9.0–33.8]) and 21 of 84 males sampled (25.0%; 95%CI=[15.7–34.3]). 60% (18 of 30; 95%CI=[42.5–77.5]) of seropositive samples were positive either for Phase I antigen or for both Phase I and II antigens, representing cases of chronic infection. Applying Spearman’s rank correlation, the percentage of seropositive humans was significantly correlated with that observed for sheep (r=1.00; p<0.001), but not for cows (r=-0.5; p=0.667). [b]Conclusions. [/b]The results obtained, although based on a small sample, suggest that the disease is present in the territory of Western Sicily, both in animals and in humans. A closer collaboration between doctors and veterinarians is therefore necessary to fight against the spread of the infection.
Authors and Affiliations
MG Verso, G Vesco, S Villari, P Galluzzo, V Gargano, D Matranga, P De Marchis
Selected breast cancer risk factors and early detection of the neoplasm in women from Lublin region attending screening program in St. John’s Cancer Center, years 2005–2006
[b]introduction and objective[/b]. In Poland, consulting is offered to women about risk factors of breast cancer, breast symptoms and early cancer detection. Study aims were to evaluate the correlation between some risk...
Improving Health in Central and Eastern Europe
It is essential to understand from the outset that Health is not Sickness, nor is it simply the absence of sickness. Public Health is not simply about the health situation in individuals, but essentially about the Health...
The prevalence and distribution of <em>Dirofilaria repens</em> in dogs in the The prevalence and distribution of Dirofilaria repens in dogs in the Mazovian Province of Central-Eastern Poland
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of canine dirofilariosis from different districts of the Mazovian Province in central-eastern Poland. 462 dogs aged from 1.5–14 years were examined f...
Human dirofilariosis in Poland: the first cases of autochthonous infections with [i]Dirofilaria repens[/i]
[i]Dirofilaria (Nochtiella)[/i] [i]repens[/i] Railliet et Henry, 1911 (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) is a subcutaneous parasite of dogs and other carnivorous animals, with human acting as incidental hosts. [i]D. repens[/i] oc...
Comparison of filtering methods, filter processing and DNA extraction kits for detection of mycobacteria in water
Introduction and objective. Mycobacteria have been isolated from almost all types of natural waters, as well as from man-made water distribution systems. Detection of mycobacteria using PCR has been described in differen...