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Veterinarians may be at increased risk for Q fever
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Veterinarians who treat livestock and have frequent contact with ponds may be at an increased risk for Q fever due to frequent exposure to Coxiella burnetii.
Researchers tested 508 veterinarians for antibodies against C. burnetii at the 143rd American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Convention in 2006. There were 113 (22.2%) participants who were seropositive for the antibodies.
Multivariate analysis revealed that veterinarians who were 46 years or older, had routine contact with ponds, and frequently treated cattle, swine or wildlife were at an increased risk for antibody seropositivity.
Univariate analysis demonstrated that working with large animals or mixed small and large animals significantly increased the likelihood of having antibody seropositivity than working with only small animals. Veterinarians who offered mobile services or who had ever lived on a farm also were at increased risk. Routine contact with fresh water sources including ditch or sewage water, lakes, ponds, rivers or streams significantly increased risk, as did contact with other animals including exotic livestock, horses, mammalian wildlife, nonhuman primates, poultry or ruminants.
Clin Infect Dis. 2009;48:550-557.