Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii and Brucella abortus among pregnant women

Authors: Baud, D.; Peter, O.¹; Langel, C.¹; Regan, L.²; Greub, G.³

Source: Clinical Microbiology & Infection, Volume 15, Number 5, May 2009 , pp. 499-501(3)

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Abstract:

Clin Microbiol Infect 2009; 15: 499-501 Abstract

Coxiella burnetii and Brucella abortus are two intracellular bacteria implicated in zoonotic miscarriage. In the present study, C. burnetii and B. abortus seroprevalence was compared among women from London with and without miscarriage. Coxiella burnetii seroprevalence was high (4.6%, 95% CI 2.8-7.1) despite the rare apparent exposure of this urban population. Only two patients exhibited anti-B. abortus antibodies. As a result of the risk of chronic Q fever with endocarditis and/or hepatitis, the mode of Coxiella burnetii infection in this population merits further investigation.

Keywords: Chlamydia-like; Coxiella burnetii; cross-reaction; miscarriage; Parachlamydia acanthamoebae; Q fever; seroprevalence; Waddlia chondrophila

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.02779.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Infectious diseases, Central Institute of Valais, Sion, Switzerland 2: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK 3: Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne

Publication date: 2009-05-01