Proximity to Goat Farms and Coxiella burnetii Seroprevalence among Pregnant Women

Abstract

During 2007–2009, we tested serum samples from 2,004 pregnant women living in an area of high Q fever incidence in the Netherlands. Results confirmed that presence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii is related to proximity to infected dairy goat farms. Pregnant women and patients with certain cardiovascular conditions should avoid these farms.

Keywords

• Q fever
• Coxiella burnetii
• seroprevalence
• pregnancy
• goats
• the Netherlands