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Balasoupramanien K, Roseau JB, Cazes N, Surcouf C, Le Dault E. Acute Q fever revealed by an anti-phospholipid syndrome: A case report. Rev Med Interne 2024:S0248-8663(24)00568-X. [PMID: 38762438 DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2024.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Q fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii. Acute infection is mainly asymptomatic. In other cases it mainly causes a flu-like illness, a pneumonia, or an hepatitis. We present an atypical case of an acute Q fever revealed by a massive pleural effusion. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 43-year-old man referred to our hospital for an acute respiratory distress. Further analyses showed an exudative eosinophilic pleural effusion, associated with a pulmonary embolism and a deep femoral vein thrombosis. Aetiologic explorations revealed an acute Q fever (IgM and IgG against C. burnetii phase II antigens) associated with anti-phospholipids. The outcome was favorable with vitamin K antagonists, doxycycline, and hydroxychloroquine, till the negativation of the anti-phospholipid antibodies. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION During acute C. burnetii infections, anti-phospholipid antibodies are highly prevalent but thrombotic complications are rare. The 2023 ACR/EULAR APS criteria restricts the diagnosis of APS, as in our case of acute severe infection. In front of an atypical pneumonia and/or thrombotic events, screening of C. burnetii and anti-phospholipid antibodies could be useful. Given its low level of evidence, prolongated treatment by doxycycline, hydroxychloroquine ± anticoagulant for C. burnetii's associated anti-phospholipid syndrome is discussed, but succeeded in our case.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Balasoupramanien
- 173rd Medical Unit, 11th Army Medical Centre, 10, rue Roquemaurel, 31032 Toulouse, France
| | - J-B Roseau
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Military Teaching Hospital Clermont-Tonnerre, rue Colonel Fonferrier, 29240 Brest, France
| | - N Cazes
- Emergency Department, Marseille Naval Fire Battalion, 139, boulevard de Plombières, 13003 Marseille, France
| | - C Surcouf
- Medical Biology Laboratory, Laveran Military Teaching Hospital, 34, boulevard Laveran, 13384 Marseille, France
| | - E Le Dault
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Military Teaching Hospital Laveran, 34, boulevard Alphonse-Laveran, 13384 Marseille, France.
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Cardillo NM, Bastos R, García A, Pérez R, García E, Lloveras S, Suarez C. First report of an outbreak of "Q" fever IN an abattoir from Argentina. Zoonoses Public Health 2023; 70:674-683. [PMID: 37747079 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
In late October 2021, one of the veterinarians and the occupational physician of a bovine and swine abattoir from Entre Ríos Province, Argentina were alerted about workers with atypical pneumonia symptoms, raising suspicious of a possible Q fever outbreak. An outbreak epidemiological investigation was carried out. Analysis was based on the description of the study population, according to gender, age, symptoms, and position within the abattoir, as well as on outbreak epidemic curve and its probable origin. Cases of Q fever in the workers were confirmed by serology. Measurements of the association between the evaluated variables and the risk of exposure were investigated and calculated as attack rates. The outbreak occurred between October and November 2021, symptomatically affecting 11 workers, out of a total exposed population of 49 individuals. The index case was a 33-year-old male who started with symptoms on 27 October 2021, and the outbreak extended for at least 17 days. Workers in the clean zone of the slaughter floor had a 4.68 times higher risk of contracting Q fever than people located in other areas. Importantly, two pregnant cows were slaughtered a few days before the outbreak began, which could have been the origin of the outbreak. The present study demonstrates the urgent need to consider Q fever when diagnosing abortive diseases of ruminants in Argentina, as well as in zoonotic disease epidemiological surveillance to inform all actors of the health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Marina Cardillo
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), EEA-INTA-Paraná, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - Reginaldo Bastos
- Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service Pullman, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Araceli García
- Frigorífico La Esperanza, General Ramírez, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - Rosendo Pérez
- Hospital Nuestra Señora de Luján, General Ramírez, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel García
- Frigorífico La Esperanza, General Ramírez, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - Susana Lloveras
- Sección de Zoopatología Médica, Hospital de Enfermedades Infecciosas Francisco Javier Muñiz, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Suarez
- Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service Pullman, Pullman, Washington, USA
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3
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Ramirez A, Felgner J, Jain A, Jan S, Albin TJ, Badten AJ, Gregory AE, Nakajima R, Jasinskas A, Felgner PL, Burkhardt AM, Davies DH, Wang SW. Engineering Protein Nanoparticles Functionalized with an Immunodominant Coxiella burnetii Antigen to Generate a Q Fever Vaccine. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:1653-1666. [PMID: 37682243 PMCID: PMC10515490 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, for which there is yet to be an FDA-approved vaccine. This bacterial pathogen has both extra- and intracellular stages in its life cycle, and therefore both a cell-mediated (i.e., T lymphocyte) and humoral (i.e., antibody) immune response are necessary for effective eradication of this pathogen. However, most proposed vaccines elicit strong responses to only one mechanism of adaptive immunity, and some can either cause reactogenicity or lack sufficient immunogenicity. In this work, we aim to apply a nanoparticle-based platform toward producing both antibody and T cell immune responses against C. burnetii. We investigated three approaches for conjugation of the immunodominant outer membrane protein antigen (CBU1910) to the E2 nanoparticle to obtain a consistent antigen orientation: direct genetic fusion, high affinity tris-NTA-Ni conjugation to polyhistidine-tagged CBU1910, and the SpyTag/SpyCatcher (ST/SC) system. Overall, we found that the ST/SC approach yielded nanoparticles loaded with the highest number of antigens while maintaining stability, enabling formulations that could simultaneously co-deliver the protein antigen (CBU1910) and adjuvant (CpG1826) on one nanoparticle (CBU1910-CpG-E2). Using protein microarray analyses, we found that after immunization, antigen-bound nanoparticle formulations elicited significantly higher antigen-specific IgG responses than soluble CBU1910 alone and produced more balanced IgG1/IgG2c ratios. Although T cell recall assays from these protein antigen formulations did not show significant increases in antigen-specific IFN-γ production compared to soluble CBU1910 alone, nanoparticles conjugated with a CD4 peptide epitope from CBU1910 generated elevated T cell responses in mice to both the CBU1910 peptide epitope and whole CBU1910 protein. These investigations highlight the feasibility of conjugating antigens to nanoparticles for tuning and improving both humoral- and cell-mediated adaptive immunity against C. burnetii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Ramirez
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Jiin Felgner
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Aarti Jain
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Sharon Jan
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Tyler J. Albin
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Alexander J. Badten
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Anthony E. Gregory
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Rie Nakajima
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Algimantas Jasinskas
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Philip L. Felgner
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Amanda M. Burkhardt
- Department
of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - D. Huw Davies
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Szu-Wen Wang
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vaccine Research and Development
Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
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Fratzke AP, van Schaik EJ, Samuel JE. Immunogenicity and Reactogenicity in Q Fever Vaccine Development. Front Immunol 2022; 13:886810. [PMID: 35693783 PMCID: PMC9177948 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.886810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium which, in humans, causes the disease Q fever. Although Q fever is most often a mild, self-limiting respiratory disease, it can cause a range of severe syndromes including hepatitis, myocarditis, spontaneous abortion, chronic valvular endocarditis, and Q fever fatigue syndrome. This agent is endemic worldwide, except for New Zealand and Antarctica, transmitted via aerosols, persists in the environment for long periods, and is maintained through persistent infections in domestic livestock. Because of this, elimination of this bacterium is extremely challenging and vaccination is considered the best strategy for prevention of infection in humans. Many vaccines against C. burnetii have been developed, however, only a formalin-inactivated, whole cell vaccine derived from virulent C. burnetii is currently licensed for use in humans. Unfortunately, widespread use of this whole cell vaccine is impaired due to the severity of reactogenic responses associated with it. This reactogenicity continues to be a major barrier to access to preventative vaccines against C. burnetii and the pathogenesis of this remains only partially understood. This review provides an overview of past and current research on C. burnetii vaccines, our knowledge of immunogenicity and reactogenicity in C. burnetii vaccines, and future strategies to improve the safety of vaccines against C. burnetii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alycia P. Fratzke
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Erin J. van Schaik
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - James E. Samuel
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, United States
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5
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Jabarzadeh S, Samiminemati A, Zeinoddini M. In Silico Design of a New Multi-Epitope Peptide-Based Vaccine Candidate Against Q Fever. Mol Biol 2021; 55:950-960. [PMID: 34955559 PMCID: PMC8682035 DOI: 10.1134/s0026893321050150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Novel types of the vaccines with high immunogenicity and low risks, including epitope-based vaccines, are sought. Among zoonotic disease, Q fever caused by Coxiella burnetii is an important target due to numerous outbreaks and the pandemic potential. Here we present a synthetic multi-epitope vaccine against Coxiella burnetii. This vaccine was developed using immunoinformatics approach. Antigenic proteins were studied, and five T cell epitopes were selected. Antigenicity, allergenicity, and toxicity of the selected epitopes were evaluated using the VaxiJen 2.0, AllerTOP, and ToxinPred servers, respectively. Selected epitopes were joined in a peptide sequence, with the cholera toxin B subunit (CTXB) as an adjuvant. The affinity of the proposed vaccine to MHC I and II molecules was measured in a molecular docking study. Resultant vaccine has high antigenicity, stability, and a half-life compatible with utilization in vaccination programs. In conclusion, the validated epitope sequences may be used as a potential vaccine to ensure protection against Q fever agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Jabarzadeh
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - A Samiminemati
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - M Zeinoddini
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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6
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Araos-Baeriswyl E. Considering crossed serological reactions and much more: the clinical reasoning. ENFERMEDADES INFECCIOSAS Y MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA (ENGLISH ED.) 2021; 39:536. [PMID: 34561184 DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Araos-Baeriswyl
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Servicio de Medicina, Complejo Asistencial Dr. Sótero del Río, Santiago, Chile.
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7
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Araos-Baeriswyl E. Considerando las reacciones serológicas cruzadas y mucho más: el criterio clínico. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Miller HK, Priestley RA, Kersh GJ. Q Fever: A troubling disease and a challenging diagnosis. CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY NEWSLETTER 2021; 43:109-118. [PMID: 37701818 PMCID: PMC10493821 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Q fever is a disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii. This hardy organism can easily spread long distances in the wind, and only a few infectious aerosolized particles are necessary to cause serious illness. Presentations of Q fever disease can be wide-ranging, allowing it to masquerade as other illnesses and highlight the importance of laboratory testing for diagnosis and treatment. This review summarizes Q fever's epidemiology and clinical presentations and presents classical laboratory diagnostic assays and novel approaches to detecting this troubling disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halie K. Miller
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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9
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Dueck NP, Epstein S, Franquet T, Moore CC, Bueno J. Atypical Pneumonia: Definition, Causes, and Imaging Features. Radiographics 2021; 41:720-741. [PMID: 33835878 DOI: 10.1148/rg.2021200131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pneumonia is among the most common causes of death worldwide. The epidemiologic and clinical heterogeneity of pneumonia results in challenges in diagnosis and treatment. There is inconsistency in the definition of the group of microorganisms that cause "atypical pneumonia." Nevertheless, the use of this term in the medical and radiologic literature is common. Among the causes of community-acquired pneumonia, atypical bacteria are responsible for approximately 15% of cases. Zoonotic and nonzoonotic bacteria, as well as viruses, have been considered among the causes of atypical pneumonia in a patient who is immunocompetent and have been associated with major community outbreaks of respiratory infection, with relevant implications in public health policies. Considering the difficulty of isolating atypical microorganisms and the significant overlap in clinical manifestations, a targeted empirical therapy is not possible. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of atypical pneumonia, as in many cases its findings may first suggest the possibility of an atypical infection. Clarifying and unifying the definition of atypical pneumonia among the medical community, including radiologists, are of extreme importance. The prompt diagnosis and prevention of community spread of some atypical microorganisms can have a relevant impact on local, regional, and global health policies. ©RSNA, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P Dueck
- From the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging (N.P.D., S.E., J.B.) and Department of Infectious Diseases and International Health (C.C.M.), University of Virginia Medical Center, 1215 Lee St, PO Box 800170, Charlottesville, VA 22908; and Department of Radiology, Hospital de Sant Pau-Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (T.F.)
| | - Samantha Epstein
- From the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging (N.P.D., S.E., J.B.) and Department of Infectious Diseases and International Health (C.C.M.), University of Virginia Medical Center, 1215 Lee St, PO Box 800170, Charlottesville, VA 22908; and Department of Radiology, Hospital de Sant Pau-Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (T.F.)
| | - Tomás Franquet
- From the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging (N.P.D., S.E., J.B.) and Department of Infectious Diseases and International Health (C.C.M.), University of Virginia Medical Center, 1215 Lee St, PO Box 800170, Charlottesville, VA 22908; and Department of Radiology, Hospital de Sant Pau-Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (T.F.)
| | - Christopher C Moore
- From the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging (N.P.D., S.E., J.B.) and Department of Infectious Diseases and International Health (C.C.M.), University of Virginia Medical Center, 1215 Lee St, PO Box 800170, Charlottesville, VA 22908; and Department of Radiology, Hospital de Sant Pau-Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (T.F.)
| | - Juliana Bueno
- From the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging (N.P.D., S.E., J.B.) and Department of Infectious Diseases and International Health (C.C.M.), University of Virginia Medical Center, 1215 Lee St, PO Box 800170, Charlottesville, VA 22908; and Department of Radiology, Hospital de Sant Pau-Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (T.F.)
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10
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Fratzke AP, Jan S, Felgner J, Liang L, Nakajima R, Jasinskas A, Manna S, Nihesh FN, Maiti S, Albin TJ, Esser-Kahn AP, Davies DH, Samuel JE, Felgner PL, Gregory AE. Subunit Vaccines Using TLR Triagonist Combination Adjuvants Provide Protection Against Coxiella burnetii While Minimizing Reactogenic Responses. Front Immunol 2021; 12:653092. [PMID: 33815413 PMCID: PMC8010241 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.653092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium, Coxiella burnetii, a designated potential agent of bioterrorism because of its route of transmission, resistance to disinfectants, and low infectious dose. The only vaccine licensed for human use is Q-VAX® (Seqirus, licensed in Australia), a formalin-inactivated whole-cell vaccine, which produces severe local and systemic reactogenic responses in previously sensitized individuals. Accordingly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory bodies around the world, have been reluctant to approve Q-VAX for widespread use. To obviate these adverse reactions, we prepared recombinant protein subunit vaccine candidates containing purified CBU1910, CBU0307, CBU0545, CBU0612, CBU0891, and CBU1398 proteins and TLR triagonist adjuvants. TLR triagonist adjuvants combine different TLR agonists to enhance immune responses to vaccine antigens. We tested both the protective efficacy and reactogenicity of our vaccine candidates in Hartley guinea pigs using intratracheal infection with live C. burnetii. While all of our candidates showed varying degrees of protection during challenge, local reactogenic responses were significantly reduced for one of our vaccine candidates when compared with a formalin-inactivated whole-cell vaccine. Our findings show that subunit vaccines combined with novel TLR triagonist adjuvants can generate protective immunity to C. burnetii infection while reducing reactogenic responses.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/therapeutic use
- Animals
- Antigens, Bacterial/genetics
- Antigens, Bacterial/pharmacology
- Antigens, Bacterial/therapeutic use
- Bacterial Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Proteins/immunology
- Bacterial Vaccines/genetics
- Bacterial Vaccines/pharmacology
- Bacterial Vaccines/therapeutic use
- Coxiella burnetii/immunology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Guinea Pigs
- Humans
- Immunogenicity, Vaccine
- Q Fever/immunology
- Q Fever/microbiology
- Q Fever/prevention & control
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology
- Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use
- Toll-Like Receptors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Vaccines, Subunit/genetics
- Vaccines, Subunit/pharmacology
- Vaccines, Subunit/therapeutic use
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/pharmacology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Alycia P. Fratzke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Sharon Jan
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jiin Felgner
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Li Liang
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Rie Nakajima
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Algis Jasinskas
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Saikat Manna
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Fnu N. Nihesh
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sampa Maiti
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Tyler J. Albin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Aaron P. Esser-Kahn
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - D. Huw Davies
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - James E. Samuel
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Philip L. Felgner
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Anthony E. Gregory
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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11
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Genetic evidence of Coxiella burnetii infection in acute febrile illnesses in Iran. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007181. [PMID: 30742631 PMCID: PMC6386404 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that Q-fever is more prevalent in Iran than originally believed. However, in most parts of the country, clinicians do not pay enough attention to Q fever in their differential diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in suspected cases of acute Q fever in north-western Iran using molecular techniques. Febrile patients were enrolled in the study and investigated for C. burnetii infection. Sera samples were tested using real-time PCR for detection of IS1111 gene, and positive samples were confirmed with nested PCR. Nine patients (4.2%) out of 216 suspected cases were positive for C. burnetii. Weakness and fatigue, headache, and lethargy were the most prevalent clinical symptoms in acute Q fever patients. According to the results of this study and other reports of human cases in Iran, the diagnosis system of Q fever in Iran should be urgently revamped. Q fever is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants are the most common source of human infection. Main route of transmission to humans is inhalation of infected aerosols and dust with C. burnetii. Acute Q fever is usually presented as a non-specific febrile and self-limiting influenza-like illness, but in severe acute cases, may manifest as atypical pneumonia or hepatitis. In Iran, Q fever is an endemic disease with high seroprevalence among humans and domestic animals. However, human Q fever cases remain undiagnosed in most regions of Iran, especially because most clinicians fail to spot this disease in their differential diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of acute Q fever in suspected cases (216 suspected cases) using molecular techniques. Nine acute Q fever patients were diagnosed by Real-time PCR and Nested PCR. Weakness and fatigue, headache, and lethargy were the most prevalent clinical symptoms in positive cases. Human Q fever cases described in this, and previous studies, indicate the need to implement diagnostic techniques for this disease across the country.
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Poch J, Ince D, Thomas C, Dhakal R, Gajurel K. Unusual presentation of Q fever in a kidney-pancreas transplant recipient. Transpl Infect Dis 2018; 21:e13037. [PMID: 30548556 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Q fever is uncommon in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. We describe a case of granulomatous lung disease as an unusual presentation of chronic Q fever in a kidney-pancreas transplant recipient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Poch
- Division of Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Dilek Ince
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Christie Thomas
- Division of Nephrology, Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Reshika Dhakal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Kiran Gajurel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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Kwon EH, Reisler RB, Cardile AP, Cieslak TJ, D'Onofrio MJ, Hewlett AL, Martins KA, Ritchie C, Kortepeter MG. Distinguishing Respiratory Features of Category A/B Potential Bioterrorism Agents from Community-Acquired Pneumonia. Health Secur 2018; 16:224-238. [PMID: 30096247 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2018.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiating between illness caused by community-acquired respiratory pathogens versus infection by biothreat agents is a challenge. This review highlights respiratory and clinical features of category A and B potential biothreat agents that have respiratory features as their primary presenting signs and symptoms. Recent world events make such a reminder that the possibility of rare diseases and unlikely events can occur timely for clinicians, policymakers, and public health authorities. Despite some distinguishing features, nothing can replace good clinical acumen and a strong index of suspicion in the diagnosis of uncommon infectious diseases.
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Sellens E, Norris JM, Dhand NK, Heller J, Hayes L, Gidding HF, Willaby H, Wood N, Bosward KL. Willingness of veterinarians in Australia to recommend Q fever vaccination in veterinary personnel: Implications for workplace health and safety compliance. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198421. [PMID: 29856835 PMCID: PMC5983556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever vaccine uptake among veterinary nurses in Australia is low, suggesting veterinarians are not recommending the vaccination to veterinary personnel. This study aimed to determine the willingness of veterinarians to recommend Q fever vaccination to veterinary personnel and to identify factors influencing Q fever vaccine uptake by veterinary nurses in Australia. An online cross sectional survey targeted veterinarians and veterinary nurses in Australia in 2014. Responses were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. Factors significantly (p<0.05) associated with a willingness to recommend the vaccination, expressed by 35% (95% CI 31-38%) of veterinarians (n = 828), were (1) being very concerned for colleagues regarding Coxiella burnetii (OR 4.73), (2) disagreeing the vaccine is harmful (OR 3.80), (3) high Q fever knowledge (OR 2.27), (4) working within small animal practice (OR 1.67), (5) disagreeing the vaccine is expensive (OR 1.55), and (6) age, with veterinarians under 39 years most likely to recommend vaccination. Of the veterinary nursing cohort who reported a known Q fever vaccination status (n = 688), 29% (95% CI 26-33%) had sought vaccination. This was significantly (p<0.05) associated with (1) agreeing the vaccine is important (OR 8.34), (2) moderate/high Q fever knowledge (OR 5.51), (3) working in Queensland (OR 4.00), (4) working within livestock/mixed animal practice (OR 3.24), (5) disagreeing the vaccine is expensive (OR 1.86), (6) strong reliance on work culture for biosecurity information (OR 2.5), (7) perceiving personal exposure to Coxiella burnetii to be at least low/moderate (OR 2.14), and (8) both agreeing the vaccine is safe and working within a corporate practice structure (OR 4.28). The study identified the need for veterinarians to take greater responsibility for workplace health and safety promotion, and calls for better education of veterinary personnel to raise awareness of the potential for occupational exposure to C. burnetii and improve the perception of the Q fever vaccine as being important, safe and cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Sellens
- Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacqueline M. Norris
- Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Navneet K. Dhand
- Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane Heller
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Lynne Hayes
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Heather F. Gidding
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Harold Willaby
- Sydney School of Public Health, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas Wood
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Katrina L. Bosward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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15
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Alende-Castro V, Macía-Rodríguez C, Novo-Veleiro I, García-Fernández X, Treviño-Castellano M, Rodríguez-Fernández S, González-Quintela A. Q fever in Spain: Description of a new series, and systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006338. [PMID: 29543806 PMCID: PMC5871012 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forms of presentation of Q fever vary widely across Spain, with differences between the north and south. In the absence of reported case series from Galicia (north-west Spain), this study sought to describe a Q-fever case series in this region for the first time, and conduct a systematic review to analyse all available data on the disease in Spain. METHODS Patients with positive serum antibodies to Coxiella burnetii from a single institution over a 5-year period (January 2011-December 2015) were included. Patients with phase II titres above 1/128 (or documented seroconversion) and compatible clinical criterial were considered as having Q fever. Patients with clinical suspicion of chronic Q-fever and IgG antibodies to phase I-antigen of over 1/1024, or persistently high levels six months after treatment were considered to be cases of probable chronic Q-fever. Systematic review: We conducted a search of the Pubmed/Medline database using the terms: Q Fever OR Coxiella burnetii AND Spain. Our search yielded a total of 318 studies: 244 were excluded because they failed to match the main criteria, and 41 were discarded due to methodological problems, incomplete information or duplication. Finally, 33 studies were included. RESULTS A total of 155 patients, all of them from Galicia, with positive serological determination were located during the study period; 116 (75%) were deemed to be serologically positive patients without Q fever and the remaining 39 (25%) were diagnosed with Q fever. A potential exposure risk was found in 2 patients (5%). The most frequent form of presentation was pneumonia (87%), followed by isolated fever (5%), diarrhoea (5%) and endocarditis (3%). The main symptoms were headache (100%), cough (77%) and fever (69%). A trend to a paucisymptomatic illness was observed in women. Hospital admission was required in 37 cases, and 6 patients died while in hospital. Only 2 patients developed chronic Q-fever. Systematic review: Most cases were sporadic, mainly presented during the winter and spring, as pneumonia in 37%, hepatitis in 31% and isolated fever in 29.6% of patients. In the north of Spain, 71% of patients had pneumonia, 13.2% isolated fever and 13% hepatitis. In the central and southern areas, isolated fever was the most frequent form of presentation (40%), followed by hepatitis (38.4%) and pneumonia (17.6%). Only 31.7% of patients reported risk factors, and an urban-environment was the most frequent place of origin. Overall mortality was 0.9%, and the percentage of patients with chronic forms of Q-fever was 2%. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to report on a Q-fever case series in Galicia. It shows that in this region, the disease affects the elderly population -even in the absence of risk factors- and is linked to a higher mortality than reported by previous studies. While pneumonia is the most frequent form of presentation in the north of the country, isolated fever and hepatitis tend to be more frequent in the central and southern areas. In Spain, 32% of Q-fever cases do not report contact with traditional risk factors, and around 58% live in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Alende-Castro
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | | | - Ignacio Novo-Veleiro
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Xana García-Fernández
- Department of Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | | | | | - Arturo González-Quintela
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
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Abstract
Legionnaire's disease is a nonzoonotic atypical pneumonia caused by Legionella sp that occurs sporadically or in outbreaks. Legionnaire's disease pneumonia is accompanied by several extrapulmonary clinical and laboratory findings. Rather than testing all pneumonias for Legionnaire's disease, the clinical challenge is to recognize the diagnostic significance of Legionnaire's disease's. The pretest probability of Legionnaire's disease is increased if several characteristic extrapulmonary findings are present. Similarly, if certain key findings are absent, Legionnaire's disease may be eliminated from further diagnostic consideration. If characteristic clinical findings are present, then specific tests should be ordered to confirm or rule out Legionnaire's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burke A Cunha
- Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital, 222 Station Plaza North (#432), Mineola, NY 11501, USA; School of Medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
| | - Cheston B Cunha
- Division of Infectious Disease, Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Brown University Alpert School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA
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Esmaeili S, Golzar F, Ayubi E, Naghili B, Mostafavi E. Acute Q fever in febrile patients in northwestern of Iran. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005535. [PMID: 28394892 PMCID: PMC5398717 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Q fever is an endemic disease in different parts of Iran. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of acute Q fever disease among at-risk individuals in northwestern Iran. METHODOLOGY An etiological study was carried out in 2013 in Tabriz County. A total of 116 individuals who were in contact with livestock and had a nonspecific febrile illness were enrolled in the study. IgG phase II antibodies against Coxiella burnetii were detected using ELISA. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The prevalence of acute Q fever was 13.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.0, 21.0%). Headache (87.5%) and fatigue and weakness (81.3%) were the dominant clinical characteristics among patients whit acute Q fever. Acute lower respiratory tract infection and chills were poorly associated with acute Q fever. Furthermore, 32% (95% CI: 24, 41%) of participants had a history of previous exposure to Q fever agent (past infection). Consumption of unpasteurized dairy products was a weak risk factor for previous exposure to C. burnetii. CONCLUSION This study identified patients with acute Q fever in northwestern of Iran. The evidence from this study and previous studies conducted in different regions of Iran support this fact that Q fever is one of the important endemic zoonotic diseases in Iran and needs due attention by clinical physicians and health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saber Esmaeili
- Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar-Ahang, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Golzar
- Institute of Natural and Mathematical Science, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Erfan Ayubi
- Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar-Ahang, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Health Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behrooz Naghili
- Research Center of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz university of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Mostafavi
- Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar-Ahang, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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18
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Eldin C, Mélenotte C, Mediannikov O, Ghigo E, Million M, Edouard S, Mege JL, Maurin M, Raoult D. From Q Fever to Coxiella burnetii Infection: a Paradigm Change. Clin Microbiol Rev 2017; 30:115-190. [PMID: 27856520 PMCID: PMC5217791 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00045-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 530] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is the agent of Q fever, or "query fever," a zoonosis first described in Australia in 1937. Since this first description, knowledge about this pathogen and its associated infections has increased dramatically. We review here all the progress made over the last 20 years on this topic. C. burnetii is classically a strict intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium. However, a major step in the characterization of this pathogen was achieved by the establishment of its axenic culture. C. burnetii infects a wide range of animals, from arthropods to humans. The genetic determinants of virulence are now better known, thanks to the achievement of determining the genome sequences of several strains of this species and comparative genomic analyses. Q fever can be found worldwide, but the epidemiological features of this disease vary according to the geographic area considered, including situations where it is endemic or hyperendemic, and the occurrence of large epidemic outbreaks. In recent years, a major breakthrough in the understanding of the natural history of human infection with C. burnetii was the breaking of the old dichotomy between "acute" and "chronic" Q fever. The clinical presentation of C. burnetii infection depends on both the virulence of the infecting C. burnetii strain and specific risks factors in the infected patient. Moreover, no persistent infection can exist without a focus of infection. This paradigm change should allow better diagnosis and management of primary infection and long-term complications in patients with C. burnetii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Eldin
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Cléa Mélenotte
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Ghigo
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Matthieu Million
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Sophie Edouard
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mege
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Max Maurin
- Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
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19
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Q Fever Knowledge, Attitudes and Vaccination Status of Australia's Veterinary Workforce in 2014. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146819. [PMID: 26756210 PMCID: PMC4710533 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a serious zoonotic disease in humans with a worldwide distribution. Many species of animals are capable of transmitting C. burnetii, and consequently all veterinary workers are at risk for this disease. An effective Q fever vaccine has been readily available and used in Australia for many years in at-risk groups, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has recently also called for the use of this vaccine among at-risk groups in Europe. Little is known about attitudes towards this vaccine and vaccine uptake in veterinary workers. This study aimed to determine the Q fever vaccination status of veterinarians and veterinary nurses in Australia and to assess and compare the knowledge and attitudes towards Q fever disease and vaccination of each cohort. An online cross-sectional survey performed in 2014 targeted all veterinarians and veterinary nurses in Australia. Responses from 890 veterinarians and 852 veterinary nurses were obtained. Binary, ordinal and multinomial logistic regression were used to make comparisons between the two cohorts. The results showed that 74% of veterinarians had sought vaccination compared to only 29% of veterinary nurses. Barriers to vaccination among those not vaccinated did not differ between cohorts, and included a lack of perceived risk, financial expense, time constraints, and difficulty in finding a vaccine provider. Poor knowledge and awareness of Q fever disease and vaccination were additional and notable barriers for the veterinary nursing cohort, suggesting veterinary clinics and veterinarians may not be meeting their legal responsibility to educate staff about risks and risk prevention. Further evaluation is needed to identify the drivers behind seeking and recommending vaccination so that recommendations can be made to improve vaccine uptake.
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20
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Leonard DG. Respiratory Infections. MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE 2016. [PMCID: PMC7123443 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-19674-9_52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The majority of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are community acquired and are the single most common cause of physician office visits and among the most common causes of hospitalizations. The morbidity and mortality associated with RTIs are significant and the financial and social burden high due to lost time at work and school. The scope of clinical symptoms can significantly overlap among the respiratory pathogens, and the severity of disease can vary depending on patient age, underlying disease, and immune status, thereby leading to inaccurate presumptions about disease etiology. The rapid and accurate diagnosis of the causative agent of RTIs improves patient care, reduces morbidity and mortality, promotes effective hospital bed utilization and antibiotic stewardship, and reduces length of stay. This chapter focuses on the clinical utility, advantages, and disadvantages of viral and bacterial tests cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and new promising technologies for the detection of bacterial agents of pneumonia currently in development or in US FDA clinical trials are briefly reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra G.B. Leonard
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine and University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont USA
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21
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Stevenson S, Gowardman J, Tozer S, Woods M. Life-threatening Q fever infection following exposure to kangaroos and wallabies. BMJ Case Rep 2015; 2015:bcr-2015-210808. [PMID: 26385915 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2015-210808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A 28-year-old woman, a park ranger, developed acute Q fever with associated sepsis, profound jaundice, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiorgan failure necessitating prolonged admission to the intensive care unit for ventilatory support. She recovered fully and remains well 4 years later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Stevenson
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - John Gowardman
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sarah Tozer
- University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marion Woods
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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22
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Carbonero A, Guzmán LT, Montaño K, Torralbo A, Arenas-Montes A, Saa LR. Coxiella burnetii seroprevalence and associated risk factors in dairy and mixed cattle farms from Ecuador. Prev Vet Med 2015; 118:427-35. [PMID: 25623969 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Revised: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a bacterial agent for which ruminants are the main reservoir. An extensive cross-sectional study to determine the seroprevalence of and associated risk factors for Q fever was performed in dairy and mixed (dairy-beef) cattle herds in Ecuador. A total of 2668 serum samples from 386 herds were analyzed using an ELISA. In addition, a questionnaire with 57 variables related to management, feeding, facilities, biosecurity and animal health was completed for every cattle farm. A Generalized Estimating Equations model was used to determine the factors associated with C. burnetii seropositivity. The true prevalence of C. burnetii seropositivity in dairy and mixed cattle from Ecuador reached 12.6% (CI95%: 11.3-13.9%). The herd prevalence was 46.9% (181/386) (CI95%: 41.9-51.9%), and the within herd prevalence ranged between 8% and 100% (mean: 25.0%; Q1: 12.5%, Q2: 25.0%, Q3: 37.5%). Four factors were included in the GEE model for C. burnetii seropositivity: age of the cattle (OR: 1.01; CI95%: 1.006-1.014), feeding of calves with milk replacers (OR: 1.94; CI95%: 1.1-3.3), bovine respiratory syncytial virus seropositivity (OR: 1.54; CI95%: 1.1-2.3), and disinfection of the umbilical cord (OR: 0.60; CI95%: 0.4-0.9).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Carbonero
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, University of Cordoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain.
| | - Lucía T Guzmán
- Departamento de Ciencias Agropecuarias y de Alimentos, Laboratorio de Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110150, Ecuador
| | - Karen Montaño
- Departamento de Ciencias Agropecuarias y de Alimentos, Laboratorio de Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110150, Ecuador
| | - Alicia Torralbo
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, University of Cordoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain
| | - Antonio Arenas-Montes
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, University of Cordoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain
| | - Luis R Saa
- Departamento de Ciencias Agropecuarias y de Alimentos, Laboratorio de Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110150, Ecuador
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Ogo NI, Fernandez de Mera IG, Galindo RC, Okubanjo OO, Inuwa HM, Agbede RIS, de La Fuente J. Genetic characterization of Coxiella burnetii in Amblyomma varigatum ticks from North-central Nigeria: public health importance. Vet World 2013. [DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2013.818-822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Q Fever: an old but still a poorly understood disease. Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis 2012; 2012:131932. [PMID: 23213331 PMCID: PMC3506884 DOI: 10.1155/2012/131932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2012] [Revised: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever is a bacterial infection affecting mainly the lungs, liver, and heart. It is found around the world and is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. The bacteria affects sheep, goats, cattle, dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and ticks. Infected animals shed this bacteria in birth products, feces, milk, and urine. Humans usually get Q fever by breathing in contaminated droplets released by infected animals and drinking raw milk. People at highest risk for this infection are farmers, laboratory workers, sheep and dairy workers, and veterinarians. Chronic Q fever develops in people who have been infected for more than 6 months. It usually takes about 20 days after exposure to the bacteria for symptoms to occur. Most cases are mild, yet some severe cases have been reported. Symptoms of acute Q fever may include: chest pain with breathing, cough, fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pains, and shortness of breath. Symptoms of chronic Q fever may include chills, fatigue, night sweats, prolonged fever, and shortness of breath. Q fever is diagnosed with a blood antibody test. The main treatment for the disease is with antibiotics. For acute Q fever, doxycycline is recommended. For chronic Q fever, a combination of doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine is often used long term. Complications are cirrhosis, hepatitis, encephalitis, endocarditis, pericarditis, myocarditis, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, meningitis, and pneumonia. People at risk should always: carefully dispose of animal products that may be infected, disinfect any contaminated areas, and thoroughly wash their hands. Pasteurizing milk can also help prevent Q fever.
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Kummerfeldt CE, Huggins JT, Sahn SA. Unusual bacterial infections and the pleura. Open Respir Med J 2012; 6:75-81. [PMID: 22977649 PMCID: PMC3439802 DOI: 10.2174/1874306401206010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2012] [Revised: 08/07/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickettsiosis, Q fever, tularemia, and anthrax are all bacterial diseases that can affect the pleura. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) and Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) are caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia conorii, respectively. Pleural fluid from a patient with MSF had a neutrophil-predominant exudate. Coxiellaburnetii is the causative agent of Q fever. Of the two cases described in the literature, one was an exudate with a marked eosinophilia while the other case was a transudate due to a constrictive pericarditis. Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia. Pleural fluid from three tularemia patients showed a lymphocyte predominant exudate. Bacillusanthracis is the causative agent of anthrax. Cases of inhalational anthrax from a recent bioterrorist attack evidenced the presence of a serosanguineous exudative pleural effusion. These four bacterial microorganisms should be suspected in patients presenting with a clinical history, exposure to known risk factors and an unexplained pleural effusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos E Kummerfeldt
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Medical University of South Carolina, USA
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Control of Important Causes of Infectious Abortion in Sheep and Goats. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2011; 27:81-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2010.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Cunha BA, Strollo S, Schoch P. Legionella pneumophila community-acquired pneumonia (CAP): Incidence and intensity of microscopic hematuria. J Infect 2010; 61:275-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2010.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2010] [Revised: 06/28/2010] [Accepted: 06/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Sakhaee E, Khalili M. The first serologic study of Q fever in sheep in Iran. Trop Anim Health Prod 2010; 42:1561-4. [PMID: 20521106 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-010-9606-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular microorganism that causes Q fever in humans and animals. In ewes, C. burnetii infections are generally asymptomatic, but they can lead to abortions, stillbirths, and delivery of weak and unviable lambs. Serological assays are suitable for screening herds. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) technique has a high sensitivity and a good specificity. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of anti-C. burnetii antibodies among sheep in southeast Iran. A total of 85 serum samples were collected from ten sheep flocks from April to September 2009. Serum samples were tested for Q fever antibodies using a commercial indirect ELISA kit. Antibodies were detected in 25 sera (29.42%) of 85 samples. Sixteen female (18.82%) and nine male (10.58%) cases had antibodies specific to C. burnetii. There is significant difference in seropositivity between male and female groups (P < 0.05). This first study of C. burnetii seroprevalence in sheep in southeast Iran has indicated that seropositive animals can be found throughout the country. Further work is now required to characterize the epidemiology of the infection more thoroughly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsanollah Sakhaee
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
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