Serological evidence of Coxiella burnetii infection in cattle and farm workers: is Q fever an underreported zoonotic disease in Ecuador?

• Published in: Infection and drug resistance Vol. 12; pp. 701 - 706
• Main Authors: Echeverría, Gustavo, Reyna-Bello, Armando, Minda-Aluisa, Elizabeth, Celi-Erazo, Maritza, Olmedo, Lisbeth, García, Herakles A, Garcia-Bereguiain, Miguel Angel, de Waard, Jacobus H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.04.2019; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Agricultural laborers; Analysis; Antibodies; Cattle; Cattle industry; Coxiella burnetii; Dairy cattle; Diseases; Ecuador; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Infection; Original Research; phase I and phase II antibodies; Public health; Public health movements; Q fever; Questions and answers; Surveys; Workers; Zoonoses; Ecuador; Ecuador; phase I antibodies, phase II antibodies; Q fever; Coxiella burnetii
• ISSN: 1178-6973; 1178-6973
• DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S195940

Q fever is an underreported zoonotic disease of cattle and men in most countries of the world. Very little information about the prevalence of infection in animals and humans comes from South and Central America and systematic studies are lacking. A seroprevalence survey for Q fever amongst cattle, farm workers and students was conducted in Ecuador using a commercial ELISA kit. Survey results showed an unexpectedly high prevalence of antibodies in dairy cattle (43%) and in farm workers (34%). In addition, a clinical case in a human of acute Q fever in the convalescent stage was detected. We conclude that the disease is endemic in Ecuador but is overlooked by medical and laboratory personnel. Q fever should be considered a public health issue in Ecuador and further research into the clinical relevance of this infection is recommended.