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. 2011 Feb;84(2):318-20.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0268.

Seroprevalence to Coxiella burnetii among residents of the Hunter New England region of New South Wales, Australia

Aminul Islam  1 , John Ferguson, Rod Givney, Stephen Graves
Affiliations

Seroprevalence to Coxiella burnetii among residents of the Hunter New England region of New South Wales, Australia

Aminul Islam et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Exposure to Coxiella burnetii is a risk in the Hunter New England (HNE) region of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, based on yearly reported cases of Q fever. We assessed seroprevalence of phase II antibodies to C. burnetii by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA; screening at 1/50 dilution) of residents of 24 local government areas (LGA) of the HNE region of NSW. A total of 2,438 randomly selected sera sent to the Hunter Area Pathology Service for routine diagnostic purposes (not Q fever testing) during the period of 2006-2009 were tested. The overall seroprevalence in sample group was 7%. The proportion of males (59%) was higher than females (41%). In age distribution, the largest proportion (37%) of seropositives was in the > 60 years age group. Lower prevalence was observed in 0-9 years (1%) and 10-19 years (5%) age groups. The seroprevalence in different LGAs varied between 0.5% and 22%. It was highest in Guyra (22%), Gunnedah (21%), Tenterfield (18%), and Narrabri (16%), with Newcastle (0.5%), Port Stephens (2%), Lake Macquarie (3%), and Singleton (3%) being the lowest. In most of the LGAs, seroprevalence was between 6% and 12%. This report indicates a considerable exposure to C. burnetii of residents in rural areas of the HNE region and is consistent with the high notification rate for Q fever in this part of Australia.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Geographic distribution of the sampled population in the Hunter New England (HNE) region of New South Wales, Australia. The HNE region consists of 24 local government areas (LGAs). The population density of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie LGAs is much higher than the other LGAs; these areas are considered as urban populations (right map), and the rest are mostly rural areas.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Seroprevalence to C. burnetii by sex among residents of the HNE region of New South Wales (N = 176).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Seroprevalence to C. burnetii by age group of residents of the HNE region of New South Wales (N = 174).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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