Molecular evidence and risk factors of Coxiella burnetii among seropositive high-risk individuals in the center of Iran

Abstract

This study evaluated the prevalence of C. burnetii DNA in blood samples of the high-risk population in central Iran. In spring 2015, a nested PCR was applied to detect C. burnetii DNA in 173 blood samples from seropositive high-risk individuals in Isfahan County. A checklist was used for extracting data. Univariate tests and multivariable binary logistic regression were performed to analyze the data and P values < 0.05 were considered significant. In total, 9.83 of the samples were positive and an association was found between the prevalence of C. burnetii DNA and the presence of IgG antibodies against phase I and/or II (P = 0.04) in univariate analysis. However, in multivariable logistic regression model, no risk factor was seen. This study revealed that high-risk populations in Isfahan County had been exposed to C. burnetii. This can alert health policymakers to the possibility of a Q fever epidemic in the region.