Screening for Q fever. A tertiary care hospital-based experience in central Saudi Arabia

Saudi Med J. 2018 Dec;39(12):1195-1199. doi: 10.15537/smj.2018.12.23695.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the presence of Coxiella burnetii (C. brunetii) infection among patients presenting with fever of unknown origin (FUO).

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 100 patients (54 men and 46 women; mean age: 34.3 ± 19.2 years) with FUO was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between March 2015 and June 2016. Phase 1 and phase 2 C. burnetii-specific antibodies in serum samples were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Coxiella burnetii phase 1 and phase 2 antibodies were detected in 16% of the patients. Phase 2 IgM was present in 2% of the patients, whereas phase 2 IgG antibodies were detected in 11% of the patients. Coxiella burnetii-specific phase 1 IgG was found in 2% of the patients, and 8% of the patients harbored phase 1 IgA antibodies in their serum.

Conclusion: The presence of C. burnetii-specific antibodies in many patients suffering from FUO highlights the importance of Q fever screening among patients presenting with febrile illness.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology
  • Coxiella burnetii / immunology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Fever of Unknown Origin / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Q Fever / complications
  • Q Fever / diagnosis*
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serologic Tests
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M