Targeted Screening for Chronic Q Fever, the Netherlands

Daphne F.M. Reukers*, Pieter T. De Boer, Alfons O. Loohuis, Peter C. Wever, Chantal P. Bleeker-Rovers, Arianne B. Van Gageldonk-Lafeber, Wim Van der Hoek, Aura Timen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Early detection of and treatment for chronic Q fever might prevent potentially life-threatening complications. We performed a chronic Q fever screening program in general practitioner practices in the Netherlands 10 years after a large Q fever outbreak. Thirteen general practitioner practices located in outbreak areas selected 3,419 patients who had specific underlying medical conditions, of whom 1,642 (48%) participated. Immunofluorescence assay of serum showed that 289 (18%) of 1,642 participants had a previous Coxiella burnetii infection (IgG II titer >1:64), and 9 patients were suspected of having chronic Q fever (IgG I y titer >1:512). After medical evaluation, 4 of those patients received a chronic Q fever diagnosis. The cost of screening was higher than estimated earlier, but the program was still cost-effective in certain high risk groups. Years after a large Q fever outbreak, targeted screening still detected patients with chronic Q fever and is estimated to be cost-effective.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1403-1409
Number of pages7
JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases
Volume28
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands..

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All rights reserved.

Funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands..

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