Identification of Risk Factors for Chronic Q Fever, the Netherlands

• Main Authors: Linda M. Kampschreur, Sandra Dekker, Julia C.J.P. Hagenaars, Peter J. Lestrade, Nicole H.M. Renders, Monique G.L. de Jager-Leclercq, Mirjam H.A. Hermans, Cornelis A.R. Groot, Rolf H.H. Groenwold, Andy I.M. Hoepelman, Peter C. Wever, Jan Jelrik Oosterheert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2012-04-01
• Series: Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: Q fever; Coxiella burnetii; chronic Q fever; risk factors; case–control study; acute Q fever
• Online Access: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/18/4/11-1478_article

Since 2007, the Netherlands has experienced a large Q fever outbreak. To identify and quantify risk factors for development of chronic Q fever after Coxiella burnetii infection, we performed a case–control study. Comorbidity, cardiovascular risk factors, medications, and demographic characteristics from 105 patients with proven (n = 44), probable (n = 28), or possible (n = 33) chronic Q fever were compared with 201 patients who had acute Q fever in 2009 but in whom chronic Q fever did not develop (controls). Independent risk factors for development of proven chronic Q fever were valvular surgery, vascular prosthesis, aneurysm, renal insufficiency, and older age.