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© 1997 Faculty of Public Health Medicine of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom

research-article

Prevalence of Q fever in a rural practice


Terry R. Davies, General Practitioner, and Honorary Departmental Fellow
Yvonne Edwards, Practice Nurse
Amanda Morgan, Practice Nurse
E. O. Caul, Consultant Clinical Scientist

Meddygfa Teilo, Crescent Road, Llandeilo SA19 6HL
Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Wales Aberystwyth
PHLS Bristol


Address correspondence to Dr T. R. Davies

BACKGROUND: Q fever is a world-wide condition caused by the rickettsia Coxiella burnetii. It appears more prevalent in agrarian communities and may have serious sequelae.

METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study using a randomly selected group of the adult working practice population in a rural practice in West Wales was devised. An immunofluorescence test, which identified past infection, was used to look for associations between C. burnetii seropositivity and farm-related or social activities, and to compare the findings with those of other studies. An attempt was made to establish a clinical profile for the illness Q fever.

RESULTS: Twenty-one subjects were found to be seropositive to C. burnetii. No definite consistent clinical features were identified. Farming was undoubtedly a risk factor for the disease, maybe with other related factors also important. There was a possibility that alcohol had a protective effect. No sinister sequelae were described.

CONCLUSIONS: Q fever occurs more frequently in farmers than in non-farmers, but was less common than previously thought. Is Q fever accurately described in medical textbooks? A case is made for a more co-operative approach between primary carers and epidemiologists in the study of illnesses in populations.

Keywords: Q fever, farm, rickettsia, zoonosis


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Home page
 Clin. Microbiol. Rev.Home page
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Clin. Microbiol. Rev., October 1, 1999; 12(4): 518 - 553.
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