Prevalence of Q fever in a rural practice

Background Q fever is a world-wide condition caused by the rickettsia Coxiella bumetii. 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 immunofluores cence test, which identified past infection, was used to look for associations between C. bumetii 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. bumetii. 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.