Sivabalan Pirathaban, Saboo Apoorva, Yew James, Norton Robert
Mackay Base Hospital, Australia.
Townsville Hospital, Australia.
One Health. 2017 Mar 4;3:51-55. doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2017.03.002. eCollection 2017 Jun.
Q fever is a zoonotic infection caused by . Endemic Q fever has long been recognised in north Queensland, with north Queensland previously acknowledged to have the highest rate of notification in Australia. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the demographics and exposure of patients diagnosed with Q fever in an endemic region of north Queensland, to identify trends and exposure factors for the acquisition of Q fever.
A retrospective study looking at patients in the region that had tested positive for Q fever by case ascertainment between 2004 and 2014. This involved both a chart review and the completion of a patient questionnaire targeting demographics, clinical presentation, risk factors and outcomes.
There were 101 patients with a positive Q fever serology and/or PCR that were identified in the region of north Queensland that was studied, between 2004 and 2014. The cohort was residents of Mackay Hospital and Health Service. Of these, 4 patients were excluded and 63 patients successfully completed a questionnaire on demographic and risk factors. Out of the 63 patients, the highest prevalence was in the patients residing in the coastal region of Proserpine (42/100,000 people per year) followed by the Whitsundays region (14.8/100,000 people per year). A significantly higher proportion of patients were reportedly exposed to macropods (69.8%) and possums (66.7%) as compared to cattle (23.8%). A trend between increased cases of Q fever infection and high seasonal rainfall was noted.
In this endemic region of north Queensland, exposure to wildlife and seasonal rainfall may be substantial exposure factors for the development of Q fever. The region studied is a popular tourist destination. An understanding of risk factors involved can help practitioners who see residents or returned travelers from the region, with an undifferentiated fever.
Q热是一种由……引起的人畜共患感染病。昆士兰北部长期以来一直存在地方性Q热，此前昆士兰北部被认为是澳大利亚报告率最高的地区。在这项回顾性研究中，我们回顾了昆士兰北部一个地方性流行区被诊断为Q热患者的人口统计学特征和暴露情况，以确定Q热感染的趋势和暴露因素。
一项回顾性研究，观察2004年至2014年期间该地区通过病例确诊Q热检测呈阳性的患者。这包括病历审查和针对人口统计学、临床表现、危险因素和结果的患者问卷调查。
在2004年至2014年期间研究的昆士兰北部地区，有101例Q热血清学和/或PCR检测呈阳性的患者。该队列是麦凯医院和卫生服务机构的居民。其中，4例患者被排除，63例患者成功完成了关于人口统计学和危险因素的问卷调查。在这63例患者中，患病率最高的是居住在普罗瑟派恩沿海地区的患者（每年每10万人中有42例），其次是圣灵群岛地区（每年每10万人中有14.8例）。据报道，与牛（23.8%）相比，接触大袋鼠（69.8%）和负鼠（66.7%）的患者比例明显更高。注意到Q热感染病例增加与季节性降雨量大之间存在一种趋势。
在昆士兰北部这个地方性流行区，接触野生动物和季节性降雨可能是Q热发病的重要暴露因素。所研究的地区是一个受欢迎的旅游目的地。了解相关危险因素可以帮助诊治来自该地区的居民或归国旅行者中出现不明原因发热的医生。
