Emerging Infectious Diseases (Apr 2012)

Identification of Risk Factors for Chronic Q Fever, the Netherlands

  • 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

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1804.111478
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 4
pp. 563 – 570

Abstract

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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.

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