Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Korea.
School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2022 Feb 2;16(2):e0010054. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010054. eCollection 2022 Feb.
The incidence of Q fever has rapidly increased in South Korea since 2015. This study was undertaken to investigate the seroprevalence and seroreactivity of Q fever and the risk factors associated with its seroprevalence among workers in the veterinary service laboratory (VSL) in South Korea. This seroepidemiologic study was conducted in a total of 661 human subjects out of 1,328 subjects working in 50 VSL existing in South Korea between July 15 and July 29, 2019. Data were collected by administering survey questionnaires and by analyzing collected blood samples to determine the presence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii. The seroprevalence and seroreactivity of C. burnetii infection were determined based on serum titers as (phase II IgG ≥1:256 and/or IgM ≥1:16) and (phase II IgG ≥1:16 and/or IgM ≥1:16) as determined by indirect immunofluorescent assay. Work, work environment, behavioral risk and protective factors associated with seroprevalence of Q fever were assessed by employing multivariable logistic regression analysis. Among the 661, the seroprevalence and seroreactivity of C. burnetii infection were 7.9% and 16.0%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the risk factors significantly associated with seroprevalence were the antemortem inspection of cattle, goats, or sheep (APR (adjusted prevalence ratio), 2.52; 95% CI, 1.23-4.70)), animal blood splashed into or around eyes (APR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.04-4.41), and contact with animals having Q fever (APR, 6.58; 95% CI, 3.39-10.85) during the previous year. This study suggests the need for precautions when contact with cattle, goats, or sheep is expected, especially during the antemortem inspection, when dealing with C. burnetii infected animals, or when there is a risk of ocular contact with animal derivatives. Therefore, we recommend the consistent use of appropriate personal protective equipment and other protective measures including PPE treatment and washing of body surfaces after work to prevent C. burnetii infections among VSL staff in South Korea.
自 2015 年以来，韩国的 Q 热发病率迅速上升。本研究旨在调查韩国兽医服务实验室（VSL）工作人员中 Q 热的血清流行率和血清反应性，以及与血清流行率相关的危险因素。这项血清流行病学研究共对韩国 50 个 VSL 中 1328 名工作人员中的 661 名进行了调查，调查时间为 2019 年 7 月 15 日至 7 月 29 日。通过问卷调查和收集血液样本分析来收集数据，以确定是否存在针对贝氏柯克斯体的抗体。根据间接免疫荧光测定结果（II 期 IgG≥1:256 和/或 IgM≥1:16 和/或 II 期 IgG≥1:16 和/或 IgM≥1:16）确定贝氏柯克斯体感染的血清流行率和血清反应性。采用多变量逻辑回归分析评估与 Q 热血清流行率相关的工作、工作环境、行为风险和保护因素。在 661 名参与者中，贝氏柯克斯体感染的血清流行率和血清反应性分别为 7.9%和 16.0%。多变量逻辑回归分析显示，与血清流行率显著相关的危险因素是牛、山羊或绵羊的生前检查（APR（调整后的流行率比），2.52；95%CI，1.23-4.70））、动物血液溅入或溅到眼睛周围（APR，2.24；95%CI，1.04-4.41）），以及去年与 Q 热动物接触（APR，6.58；95%CI，3.39-10.85））。本研究表明，在接触牛、山羊或绵羊时需要采取预防措施，特别是在生前检查、处理感染贝氏柯克斯体的动物时，或在动物衍生物接触眼睛时有风险时。因此，我们建议韩国 VSL 工作人员在工作中持续使用适当的个人防护设备和其他防护措施，包括 PPE 处理和工作后清洗身体表面，以预防贝氏柯克斯体感染。
