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Abstract(s)
A febre Q, causada por Coxiella burnetii, é uma zoonose que apresenta uma ocorrência
mundial. Os ruminantes são reconhecidos como importantes fontes de infeção, podendo os animais
infetados eliminar o agente através de secreções e/ou excreções. O contacto com animais,
nomeadamente com ruminantes parece aumentar a probabilidade de exposição a C. burnetii.
O presente estudo visou identificar os fatores de risco de infeção nos Médicos Veterinários
com exercício profissional na área das espécies pecuárias (grupo teste). Para tal foi determinado o
título de anticorpos anti-C. burnetii, em soro de indivíduos do grupo teste (n=92) e do grupo controlo
(n=184; dadores de sangue) utilizando um teste ELISA comercial. Foi ainda aplicado um questionário
aos Médicos Veterinários que integraram o grupo teste com o intuito de identificar os fatores
relacionados com a atividade que aumentam a probabilidade de exposição a C. burnetii.
Foi evidenciada uma exposição em 33,7% (n=31) dos indivíduos do grupo teste e em 17,4%
(n=32) dos indivíduos do grupo controlo. Verificou-se que a diferença encontrada entre os dois grupos
é estatisticamente significativa (P=0,0023) e que o risco de exposição é superior no grupo teste
(OR=2,41).
Uma análise univariada permitiu identificar (P=0,0404) o contacto com ruminantes em regime
extensivo com o maior risco de exposição a C. burnetii em médicos veterinários de espécies pecuárias.
Do nosso conhecimento, este é o primeiro estudo, realizado em Portugal, que evidenciou a
exposição de médicos veterinários a C. burnetii.
Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a zoonosis with worldwide occurrence. Ruminants are recognized as important sources of infection, as infected animals can shed the agent through secretions and/or excretions. Contact with animals, particularly ruminants, appears to increase the likelihood of exposure to C. burnetii. The present study aimed to identify risk factors for infection in veterinarians working professionally in the area of livestock species (test group). To this end, the titter of anti-C. burnetii antibodies was determined in serum from the test group (n=92) and the control group (n=184; blood donors) using a commercial ELISA test. A questionnaire was also administered to the veterinarians in the test group to identify activity-related factors that increase the likelihood of exposure to C. burnetii. Exposure was evident in 33.7% (n=31) of the test group and in 17.4% (n=32) of the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.0023), and the risk of exposure was higher in the test group (OR=2.41). A univariate analysis identified (P=0,0404) contact with extensively farmed ruminants as the highest risk factor for C. burnetii exposure in veterinarians dealing with livestock species. To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted in Portugal that highlights the exposure of veterinarians to C. burnetii.
Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a zoonosis with worldwide occurrence. Ruminants are recognized as important sources of infection, as infected animals can shed the agent through secretions and/or excretions. Contact with animals, particularly ruminants, appears to increase the likelihood of exposure to C. burnetii. The present study aimed to identify risk factors for infection in veterinarians working professionally in the area of livestock species (test group). To this end, the titter of anti-C. burnetii antibodies was determined in serum from the test group (n=92) and the control group (n=184; blood donors) using a commercial ELISA test. A questionnaire was also administered to the veterinarians in the test group to identify activity-related factors that increase the likelihood of exposure to C. burnetii. Exposure was evident in 33.7% (n=31) of the test group and in 17.4% (n=32) of the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.0023), and the risk of exposure was higher in the test group (OR=2.41). A univariate analysis identified (P=0,0404) contact with extensively farmed ruminants as the highest risk factor for C. burnetii exposure in veterinarians dealing with livestock species. To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted in Portugal that highlights the exposure of veterinarians to C. burnetii.
Description
Keywords
C. Burnetii Elisa Zoonose Ocupacional Fatores De Risco Seroprevalência Zoonosis Occupationally Risk Facts Prevalence