Q fever Coxiella Burneti acute infection

This test consists of Q fever phase II (Coxiella burneti IgG) and Q fever (Coxiella burneti IgM) from serum and is used in acute/recent infection. (Phase II IgG and IgM).

However, we advise you to see your doctor if acute Q-Fever is suspected.

For those infectious diseases that are notifiable, we are required to report a positive result to your local GGD (more information).

In case of acute or recent infection, the phase II antibodies are in the foreground. Usually, acute Q fever heals spontaneously after 1 to 2 weeks.

Q fever is a disease transmitted from animals to humans caused by Coxiella burnetii, a bacterium that is highly contagious.

How does infection arise?


The main source of infection is cattle, sheep and goats. Pets (dogs and cats) and birds can also be a source of infection. Usually the animals themselves do not show any symptoms, but they can abort. The bacteria are then excreted in the abortion material (aborted foetus, amniotic membranes and amniotic fluid), in milk, saliva, tear fluid and manure. The bacteria can survive well outside the animal, so animal products can remain a source of contamination for a long time.


Infection occurs mainly through the respiratory tract by inhaling contaminated dust from stables, pastures, raw wool, hides, clothing, etc. Ticks can cause transmission from animal to animal, and sometimes transmission to humans. Infection directly from human to human does not occur.
In addition, contamination is possible through consumption of contaminated raw milk (products) or inadequately heated meat. There have also been cases of mothers infecting newborn children through the placenta and/or breast milk.

Symptoms

In more than 50% of cases, the disease progresses without obvious symptoms or complaints.
Usually, complaints begin 2 to 3 weeks after infection.
Possible symptoms are:

• Fever (39-40°)
• severe headache (frontal or retro-orbital)
• neck stiffness
• General malaise, nausea and/or vomiting
• fatigue
• muscle pain
• low heart rate
• decreased appetite, sometimes leading to acute weight loss (especially if the disease lasts longer than 2 weeks).
• Sometimes the disease is accompanied by pneumonia , characterized by a dry cough and chest pain.
• Another possible complication is a mild form of inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).

In about 5% of infected patients, mainly people with vascular abnormalities, immunodeficiencies or pregnant people, Q fever develops into a chronic disease that often presents as endocarditis (inflammation of the heart wall). Symptoms of this can last up to 10 years. In the Netherlands, 40% of known cases required hospitalization.

Q fever is quite rare. In the Netherlands, the number of human infections is estimated at about 20 per year. Perhaps this is an underestimate because the disease often progresses without symptoms.

Treatment

Most patients recover fully after several weeks to months without treatment.
Antibiotics will, however, shorten the duration of the disease. Doxycycline is the preferred treatment in acute Q fever. Treatment is most effective when started within the first 3 days of illness.