Prevalence of Q fever in a rural practice.
BACKGROUND
Q fever is a world-wide condition caused by the rickettsia Coxiella burnetii. It appears more prevalent in agrarian communities and may have serious sequelae.


METHODS
A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study using a randomly selected group of the adult working practice population in a rural practice in West Wales was devised. An immunofluorescence test, which identified past infection, was used to look for associations between C. burnetii seropositivity and farm-related or social activities, and to compare the findings with those of other studies. An attempt was made to establish a clinical profile for the illness Q fever.


RESULTS
Twenty-one subjects were found to be seropositive to C. burnetii. No definite consistent clinical features were identified. Farming was undoubtedly a risk factor for the disease, maybe with other related factors also important. There was a possibility that alcohol had a protective effect. No sinister sequelae were described.


CONCLUSIONS
Q fever occurs more frequently in farmers than in non-farmers, but was less common than previously thought. Is Q fever accurately described in medical textbooks? A case is made for a more co-operative approach between primary carers and epidemiologists in the study of illnesses in populations.
Davies
T R
TR
Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
Edwards
Y
Y
Morgan
A
A
Caul
E O
EO
D000383:Agriculture; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011778:Q Fever / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology