Epidemiology and public health implications of Q fever
Journal Title: Perspectives In Medical Research - Year 2016, Vol 4, Issue 3
Abstract
Introduction: Zoonotic diseases remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Q fever is considered as an emerging and re-emerging zoonosis of global concern. Disease is caused by Coxiella burnetii, an intracellular, Gram negative organism, which is prevalent throughout the world. Despite the fact that Q fever is important from public health and economic point of view, it remains poorly reported and its surveillance is mostly neglected. It has extensive reservoirs that include mammals, birds, and arthropods, mainly the ticks. Domestic ruminants are considered as the main reservoirs for the pathogen, which can infect wide range of hosts. Coxiella burnetii can cause reproductive problems in domestic animals. During an abortion in animal, about 1 billion C. bunetii per gram of placenta are excreted. Different mode of transmission is observed in Q fever. Disease outbreaks have been associated with slaughterhouses, farms, and institutions with intensive sheep rearing programs. The clinical manifestations of Q fever range from no symptoms to pneumonia, hepatitis, and endocarditis. Because the clinical signs of Q fever are nonspecific, laboratory evidence of infection is needed for making an unequivocal diagnosis. A number of antibiotics such as doxycycline, erythromycin, and clarithromycin are helpful in the treatment of patient. Fatality rate in untreated patients is high. Since human-to-human transmission is extremely rare and Q fever is mainly an airborne disease, measures of prevention are aimed at avoiding the exposure of humans and particularly persons at risk, to animal and environmental contamination. Therefore, improvements in surveillance, such as increasing medical reporting, and making animal infections notifiable is needed. It is emphasized to undertake detailed comprehensive study to determine the prevalence and incidence of Q fever, which has emerged as a significant public health problem in many regions of the world.
Authors and Affiliations
Mahendra Pal
Keywords
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