Last data update: May 13, 2024. (Total: 46773 publications since 2009)
Records 1-2 (of 2 Records) |
Query Trace: Patterson NE[original query] |
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Presence of Coxiella burnetii DNA in the environment of the United States (2006-2008)
Kersh GJ , Wolfe TM , Fitzpatrick KA , Candee AJ , Oliver LD , Patterson NE , Self JS , Priestley RA , Loftis AD , Massung RF . Appl Environ Microbiol 2010 76 (13) 4469-75 Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes the zoonotic disease Q fever. Because C. burnetii is highly infectious, can survive under a variety of environmental conditions, and has been weaponized in the past, it is classified as a select agent and is considered a potential bioweapon. The agent is known to be present in domestic livestock and in wild animal populations, but the background levels of C. burnetii in the environment have not been reported. To better understand the amount of C. burnetii present in the environment of the U.S., greater than 1,600 environmental samples were collected from 6 geographically diverse U.S. states in the years 2006-2008. DNA was purified from these samples, and the presence of C. burnetii DNA was evaluated by quantitative PCR of the IS1111 repetitive element. Overall, 23.8% of the samples were positive for C. burnetii DNA. The prevalence in the different states ranged from 6 to 44 percent. C. burnetii DNA was detected in locations with livestock and also in locations with primarily human activity (post offices, stores, schools, etc.). This study demonstrates that C. burnetii is fairly common in the environment in the U.S., and any analysis of C. burnetii after a suspected intentional release should be interpreted in light of these background levels. It also suggests that human exposure to C. burnetii may be more common than what is suggested by the number of reported cases of Q fever. |
Seroprevalence of Q fever in the United States, 2003-2004
Anderson AD , Kruszon-Moran D , Loftis AD , McQuillan G , Nicholson WL , Priestley RA , Candee AJ , Patterson NE , Massung RF . Am J Trop Med Hyg 2009 81 (4) 691-4 We performed serum testing for IgG antibodies against Coxiella burnetii (phase I and phase II) and analyzed questionnaire data from 4,437 adults > or = 20 years of age who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004 survey cycle. National Q fever seroprevalence was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by using immunofluorescent antibody testing. Overall seroprevalence for Coxiella burnetii was 3.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1-4.3%) among 4,437 adults > or = 20 years of age. Coxiella burnetii age-adjusted antibody prevalence was higher for men than for women (3.8%, 95% CI = 2.7-5.2% versus 2.5%, 95% CI = 1.5-3.7%, respectively, P < 0.05). Mexican Americans had a significantly higher antibody prevalence (7.4%, 95% CI = 6.6-8.3%) than either non-Hispanic whites (2.8%, 95% CI = 1.7-4.3%) or non-Hispanic blacks (1.3%, 95% CI = 0.6-2.5%) (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk for Q fever antibody positivity increased with age and was higher among persons who were foreign-born, male, and living in poverty. These findings indicate that the national seroprevalence of Q fever in the United States is higher than expected on the basis of case numbers reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from state health departments. Potential differences in risk for exposure by race/ethnicity warrant further study. |
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