title: Serological survey of Q fever in Crete, southern Greece.
abstract: Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is an obligatory intracellular bacterium with worldwide distribution. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of C. burnetii phase II antibodies in two different groups (high and low risk) of healthy human population and investigate the epidemiological characteristics of the infection in the island of Crete (southern Greece). Collection and testing by IFA of 493 sample sera for IgG and IgM antibodies against C. bumetii phase II antigen indicated a prevalence of IgG antibodies of 48.7%. Of the seropositive individuals, 34% also revealed IgM seropositive antibody titers. Analysis of 225 sample sera by IFA from high risk population presented a prevalence for C. burnetii of 62.2%. Our findings revealed that C. burnetii is highly endemic in Crete, indicating a high exposure of the population to the pathogen regardless of occupation or place of residence.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Staurakia-Voutes, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Iosif
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vranakis
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kokkini
authors.forename: Dimosthenis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chochlakis
authors.forename: Vassillios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sandalakis
authors.forename: Eirini
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pasparaki
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minadakis
authors.forename: Achilleas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gikas
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tselentis
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Psaroulaki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D016997:Coxiella burnetii / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011778:Q Fever / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G