Open AccessSeroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in patients presenting with acute febrile illness at Marigat District Hospital, Baringo County, Kenya
Author(s) -
Lemtudo Allan P.,
Mutai Beth K.,
Mwamburi Lizzy,
Waitumbi John N.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
veterinary medicine and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 11
ISSN - 2053-1095
DOI - 10.1002/vms3.493
Subject(s) - coxiella burnetii , q fever , seroprevalence , medicine , titer , immunology , district hospital , population , antibody , kenya , virology , biology , serology , emergency medicine , environmental health , ecology
Q fever is not routinely diagnosed in Kenyan hospitals. This study reports on Q fever in patients presenting at Marigat District Hospital, Kenya, with febrile illness. ELISA was used to detect Coxiella burnetii phase antigens. Of 406 patients, 45 (11.1%) were judged to have acute disease (phase II IgM or IgG > phase I IgG), 2 (0.5%) were chronic (phase I IgG titer >800 or phase I IgG > phase II IgG), while 26 (6.4%) had previous exposure (phase I IgG titer <800). Age (6–10 years, p = 0.002) and contact with goats ( p = 0.014) were significant risk factors. Compared to immunofluorescence antibody test, the sensitivity and specificity for phase I IgG were 84% and 98%, respectfully, 46% and 100% for phase II IgG and 35% and 89% for phase II IgM. It is concluded that the low sensitivity of phase II ELISA underestimated the true burden of acute Q fever in the study population.