title: Q fever and spontaneous abortion.
abstract: Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, may result in abortions in infected animals and pregnant women. However, the role that Q fever plays in spontaneous abortions is still unknown. This study examined the association between Q fever serology and abortion in a region where Q fever is endemic. A case-control population-based study was conducted in General Yagüe Hospital (Burgos area, Spain) between June 2009 and July 2010. A total of 801 samples from 500 pregnant women were tested, of whom 273 had a spontaneous abortion and 227 gave birth. IgG and IgM antibody titres against Q fever were determined in their two phases (I and II) by immunofluorescence assay. Seropositivity (phase I IgG ≥1:16 or phase II IgG ≥1:80) was detected in 88/273 (32.2%) cases and 53/227 (23.3%) controls; p <0.01, OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.3. Seropositivity for both phases of IgG, compatible with recent or persistent infection, was detected in 55 (20.1%) vs 22 (9.7%); p <0.001, OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-3.9. High phase II IgG antibodies compatible with active or recent infection (titres ≥1:160) were detected in 27 (9.6%) vs 7 (3.1%); p <0.002, OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.4-8.0, respectively. Q fever was diagnosed in 14 (5.1%) cases. The risk of abortion associated with serological markers of active or recent Q fever in pregnant women was measurable and noticeable in this population, and accounted for 12% (95% CI 4-21%).
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, General Yagüe Hospital, Burgos, Spain. santiago-monica@hotmail.com
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Quijada
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Terán
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Murias
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Anitua
authors.forename: J L B
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cermeño
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Frías
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016997:Coxiella burnetii / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011778:Q Fever / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M