Seroprevalence And Risk Factors of Coxiella burnetii For Q Fever in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu (Research Article)

Author(s): Kalaimani Saravanan, Rajasekar Aruliah, John A J Prakash and Ernest David*

Abstract: Background: Q fever is an infection remain under-diagnosed and rarely reported due to limited data on seroprevalence and lack of diagnostic facilities in India. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Q fever infection in Vellore district, Tamilnadu. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional serosurvey was conducted from September 2017 to February 2018 in seven urban and seven rural areas of Vellore districts of Tamil Nadu. Serum samples were collected from 536 healthy individuals and tested by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Q Fever (QF) antibodies at the Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. Results: Of the 537 participants, 188 (35%) were males and 349 (65%) were female. The median age of participants was 42 years (IQR 31-54 years). The majority were either farmers or housewives. Exposure to Q fever is infection was observed in more than 1/3rd of the population surveyed. Q fever infection, including Agriculture & non-agriculture labourers 9.2% (16/172) Housewives 6.1% (14/226), Service/business 4% (2/54), Student 2% (1/48) and Unemployed 3%(1/37). Q fever was the commonest among the three diseases surveyed. The seroprevalence of QF was higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Conclusion: Q fever is an infection are common in the Vellore district and prevalence is higher in rural than urban areas.

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