Absence of convincing evidence of Coxiella burnetii infection in Chile: a cross-sectional serosurvey among healthy adults in four different regions

dc.contributor.authorWeitzel, Thomas
dc.contributor.authorLopez, Javier
dc.contributor.authorAcosta-Jamett, Gerardo
dc.contributor.authorEdouard, Sophie
dc.contributor.authorParola, Philippe
dc.contributor.authorAbarca, Katia
dc.date.accessioned2017-08-16T12:16:40Z
dc.date.available2017-08-16T12:16:40Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractBackground: Coxiella burnetii is an important zoonotic pathogen of global distribution. Still, in most parts of South America including Chile, systematic epidemiological data are lacking. The presented study aims to determine the seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies in healthy adults of four different regions in Chile. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, which included healthy adults living in rural and urban areas of four cities located in different regions in northern, central, and southern Chile. In urban sectors, households were chosen by double stratified random sampling, while in rural areas convenience sampling was performed. Serum specimens were taken and screened for the presence of IgG antibodies against C. burnetii phase II antigen using a commercial ELISA kit. Positive and indeterminate results were confirmed by a reference laboratory using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Results: A total of 1112 individuals were included. Of those, 8 were positive by ELISA, but only one sample was confirmed using IFA. Statistical analysis for population freedom from disease revealed a high probability that C. burnetii was absent in our study population. Conclusion: Our work provides the first epidemiological data on human Q fever in Chile indicating either a very low endemicity or the absence of this pathogen in the studied areas.
dc.format.extent6
dc.identifier.citationBMC Infectious Diseases (2016) 16:541
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11447/1573
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-016-1880-9
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherBMJ Publishing Group
dc.subjectQ fever
dc.subjectCoxiella burnetii
dc.subjectEpidemiology
dc.subjectSeroprevalence
dc.subjectZoonoses
dc.subjectSouth America
dc.titleAbsence of convincing evidence of Coxiella burnetii infection in Chile: a cross-sectional serosurvey among healthy adults in four different regions
dc.typeArtículo

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