Pascual-Velasco F, Montes M, Marimón J M, Cilla G
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Comarcal de Laredo, Cantabria, Spain.
Int J Epidemiol. 1998 Feb;27(1):142-5. doi: 10.1093/ije/27.1.142.
Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, a worldwide zoonosis which shows a wide diversity of clinical manifestations. The objective of this seroepidemiological study was to estimate the prevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii in a representative population of the Eastern area of the Cantabrian Community (Northern Spain).
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 595 subjects from Eastern Cantabria. Four different zones (one urban and three rural zones) were defined according to the geographical characteristics of the area and the economic activities of the population. The population sample for this study was collected between December 1994 and March 1995, and was stratified by age, sex and municipality of residence. IgG and IgM antibodies against C. burnetii were assayed by an indirect immunofluorescence technique.
The prevalence of anti-phase II Coxiella IgG (titre > or = 1:16) was 48.6% (95% confidence interval: 44.6-52.6%), with 81.3% havinga titre of > or = 1:64. The prevalence of IgG increased with age, ranging from 12.0% in people < 15 years to 70.3% in those > 65 years (P < 0.001). The antibody detection rate was higher in males (53.6%) than in females (43.3%) (P < 0.01). The prevalence of anti-phase II Coxiella IgG was less among subjects living in the urban zone (32.8%) than in those living in the other three rural zones: the two situated on the coast (54.0% and 54.9% respectively) and the inner mountainous zone (82.3%) (P < 0.001).
The prevalence of C. burnetii infection observed in this study is one of the highest reported in Europe. The eastern area of Cantabria is a hyperendemic area for Q fever.
伯氏考克斯体是Q热的病原体，Q热是一种全球范围的人畜共患病，临床表现多种多样。这项血清流行病学研究的目的是评估在坎塔布里亚自治区东部地区（西班牙北部）具有代表性的人群中伯氏考克斯体抗体的流行情况。
对来自坎塔布里亚东部的595名受试者进行了一项横断面研究。根据该地区的地理特征和人群的经济活动定义了四个不同区域（一个城市区域和三个农村区域）。本研究的人群样本于1994年12月至1995年3月采集，并按年龄、性别和居住市镇进行分层。采用间接免疫荧光技术检测抗伯氏考克斯体的IgG和IgM抗体。
抗II相考克斯体IgG（滴度≥1:16）的流行率为48.6%（95%置信区间：44.6 - 52.6%），81.3%的人滴度≥1:64。IgG流行率随年龄增长而升高，15岁以下人群中为12.0%，65岁以上人群中为70.3%（P < 0.001）。男性的抗体检测率（53.6%）高于女性（43.3%）（P < 0.01）。居住在城市区域的受试者中抗II相考克斯体IgG的流行率（32.8%）低于居住在其他三个农村区域的受试者：两个沿海区域（分别为54.0%和54.9%）以及内陆山区（82.3%）（P < 0.001）。
本研究中观察到的伯氏考克斯体感染流行率是欧洲报道的最高流行率之一。坎塔布里亚东部地区是Q热的高度流行区。
