[Q Fever in Tunisia]

Pathol Biol (Paris). 2009 Jul;57(5):439-43. doi: 10.1016/j.patbio.2008.04.009. Epub 2008 Jun 12.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Q fever is a common zoonosis with almost a worldwide distribution caused by Coxiella burnetii. Farm animals and pets are the main reservoirs of infection and transmission to humans is usually via inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Infection in humans is often asymptomatic, but it can manifest as an acute disease (usually a self-limited flu-like illness, pneumonia or hepatitis) or as a chronic form (mainly endocarditis, but also hepatitis and chronic-fatigue syndrome). In Tunisia, although prevalence of anti-Coxiella burnetii was high among blood donors, Q fever was rarely reported and frequently miss diagnosed by physicians. This study is a review of epidemiological and clinical particularities of Q fever in Tunisia.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / epidemiology
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mammals / microbiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology
  • Q Fever / diagnosis
  • Q Fever / drug therapy
  • Q Fever / epidemiology*
  • Q Fever / prevention & control
  • Q Fever / transmission
  • Q Fever / veterinary
  • Tetracyclines / therapeutic use
  • Tunisia / epidemiology
  • Vaccination
  • Zoonoses

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Tetracyclines