title: [Q fever in Gran Canaria: 40 new cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiologic features of Q fever in the southern area of the island of Gran Canaria (Spain).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical and epidemiological data of the cases of Q fever diagnosed by the Microbiology Laboratory of the Hospital Universitario Insular in Gran Canaria between 1998 and 2000. Antibodies against phase II Coxiella burnetii antigens were detected using an indirect immunofluorescence test. The diagnosis of acute Q fever was established by IgG titers > or = 1:320 and IgM titers > or = 1:80, or by seroconversion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the period of study 59 cases of acute Q fever were diagnosed, making an incidence of 5 cases/100,000 inhabitants/year. The seroprevalence (IgG > or = 1:80) in the patients for whom Q fever serology was requested during that period was 23.9%. Clinical and epidemiologic data were available for 40 patients. All were sporadic cases and 57% were hospitalized. The mean age of the patients was 40.6 6 13.3 years (range 20-74 years), 85% were males and 67.5% came from a rural background. The majority of cases (65%) clustered from April to July. The most frequent clinical presentation was an acute febrile process with elevated liver enzymes (87.5%). Pneumonia was infrequent (only three cases).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our area Q fever is mainly manifested as an acute febrile illness with subclinical hepatic involvement. This fact and the small number of cases with pneumonia and chronic forms suggest the etiological involvement of C. burnetii strains different from those in other geographic areas.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria. España.
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bolaños
authors.forename: Otilia-Evora
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pérez-Arellano
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Angel-Moreno
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Juan Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Burgazzoli
authors.forename: Antonio Manuel
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Martín-Sánchez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D016997:Coxiella burnetii / Q000187:drug effects*; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000453:epidemiology; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D015995:Prevalence; D011778:Q Fever / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline