Seroprevalence of zoonoses in a Cree community (Canada).
Cree trappers and hunters are at risk for contracting infectious diseases conveyed by wildlife. We performed a study in a Cree community (Canada) to determine the seroprevalence of 8 zoonotic infections among hunters and trappers for evidence of exposure to Trichinella sp., Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara canis, Echinococcus granulosus, Leptospira sp., Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, and Sin Nombre virus. A total of 50 participants (28 women and 22 men) were included in this study. Results indicate no or infrequent exposure to the Sin Nombre virus (0%) and 3 of the 4 parasites investigated (0-4%). Exposure to T. gondii (10%) and some bacteria appeared to be more prevalent (range, 4-18%). Overall, seropositivity was related to fishing, hunting, and trapping activities. Physicians should be aware of these infections in this population, particularly Q fever, tularemia, and leptospirosis.
Lévesque
Benoît
B
Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Direction des risques biologiques, environnementaux et occupationnels, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada G1V 5B3. benoit.levesque@inspq.qc.ca
Messier
Valérie
V
Bonnier-Viger
Yv
Y
Couillard
Michel
M
Côté
Suzanne
S
Ward
Brian J
BJ
Libman
Michael D
MD
Gingras
Suzanne
S
Dick
Daryl
D
Dewailly
Eric
E
D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D011778:Q Fever / Q000453:epidemiology; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014406:Tularemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology*