High Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii Antibodies in Veterinarians Associated with Cattle Obstetrics, Bavaria, 2009

Abstract

Q fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii. Infection can result in severe disease. However, little is known about the risk of infection in veterinarians. In a cross-sectional study among German veterinarians, participants provided sera and completed an exposure questionnaire. We investigated predictors for seropositivity using multivariable logistic regression modelling. The 424 participants' median age was 40 (18–74) years, and 276 (65%) were female. Sera of 162 (38%) were positive for Coxiella burnetii phase II IgG antibodies (by ELISA and IFAT). Predictors for seropositivity were occupational exposure to cattle (aOR 2.83, 95% CI 1.64–4.87), occupational exposure to sheep (2.09, 1.22–3.58), male sex (1.9, 1.15–3.13), and increasing age (30–39 years: 4.91, 2.00–12.04; 40-49 years: 5.32, 2.12–13.33; >50 years: 6.70, 2.60–17.25; compared with