The lower Saint Lawrence River region of Quebec, a hot spot for sheepfold-associated Q fever in Canada: Review of 258 cases.
Autor: | Dolcé P; Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Centre hospitalier régional de Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada., de Beaumont-Dupont A; Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Centre hospitalier régional de Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada.; Department of Biology, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada., Jutras P; Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Centre hospitalier régional de Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada., Mailhot-Léonard F; Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Centre hospitalier régional de Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada., Alexandra Rosca M; Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Centre hospitalier régional de Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada.; Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada., Aubé-Maurice J; Department of Public Health, CISSS du Bas-St-Laurent, Kamouraska, Quebec, Canada. |
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Jazyk: | angličtina |
Zdroj: | Journal of the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada = Journal officiel de l'Association pour la microbiologie medicale et l'infectiologie Canada [J Assoc Med Microbiol Infect Dis Can] 2023 Nov 29; Vol. 8 (3), pp. 201-213. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 29 (Print Publication: 2023). |
DOI: | 10.3138/jammi-2023-0001 |
Abstrakt: | Background: The lower Saint Lawrence river region (LSLRR), in Quebec, has a 10-fold higher incidence of Q fever compared to the provincial rate. This study aimed to review clinical cases and the Q fever risk exposure in this region. Methods: Data were retrieved from microbiology laboratory, medical records from Rimouski Regional Hospital and Public Health reports between 1991 and 2018. They were analyzed with Epi Info 7.2.2.6. Patients with confirmed acute, probable acute, and chronic Q fever were classified using standard case definitions and mapped according to the postal code, to assess the correlation between cases and sheep distribution. Results: Out of 295 cases, 258 were included (241 confirmed acute, seven probable acute, 10 chronic). Median age was 49 years, 76% were male. For acute cases, the prominent symptoms were fever (99%), headache (83%), chills (80%), sweating (72%), myalgia (69%), and fatigue (67%). Clinical presentation was mostly febrile syndrome with mild hepatitis (84%). A seasonal peak was observed from May to July (56% of acute cases). Most cases (56%) occurred within the two counties where sheep production was highest. Exposure to sheep was prominent 93%, including 64% direct contact (15% shepherds, 49% sheepfold visitors), 14% indirect contact, and 15% sheepfold neighbors. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is one of the largest retrospective studies of Q fever cases reported in Canada. Q fever in Quebec LSLRR is associated mainly with sheep exposure. Fever and hepatitis were the most common manifestations. Preventive measures should be considered in this region to protect sheepfold workers, visitors, and their neighbors. Competing Interests: The authors have nothing to disclose. (© Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada (AMMI Canada), 2023.) |
Databáze: | MEDLINE |
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