High Coxiella burnetii Seroconversion Rate in Veterinary Students, the Netherlands, 2006-2010

Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Dec;26(12):3086-3088. doi: 10.3201/eid2612.200063.

Abstract

We examined Coxiella burnetii seroconversion rates by measuring C. burnetii IgG among 2 cohorts of veterinary students. During follow-up of 118 seronegative veterinary students, 23 students seroconverted. Although the clinical importance of the presence of antibodies is unknown, veterinary students should be informed about the potential risks for Q fever.

Keywords: Coxiella burnetii; Netherlands; Q fever; bacteria; seroconversion; seroepidemiologic studies; students; veterinarians; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Coxiella burnetii*
  • Humans
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Q Fever* / epidemiology
  • Q Fever* / veterinary
  • Seroconversion
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Students

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial