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Q fever epidemiology and demographics


Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Younes M.B.B.CH [2]

Overview

Overview

Q fever is more prevalent in the elderly and in males. It has been a notifiable disease in the US since 1999. Q fever is underreported, thus scientists cannot reliably assess its incidence.[1]

Epidemiology and Demographics

Epidemiology and Demographics

Age

  • Q fever is slightly more prevalent in elderly people; however, it is often seen in various age groups.
  • Q fever is occasionally seen in children, especially those who live on a farm.
  • In infected children younger than 3 years old, Q fever usually presents as pneumonia.[2]

Gender

  • Due to differing employment rates in typical professions that predispose people to contracting Q fever, men are more often affected than women.[3]

Developed Countries

  • In 1999, Q fever became a notifiable disease in the United States but reporting is not required in many other countries.
  • In Europe, Q fever often presents as hepatitis rather than pneumonia as it does in the United States.[1]

Developing Countries

  • C. burnetii is found everywhere except in Antarctica and New Zealand.
  • Q fever infections are often subclinical.
References

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Delsing CE, Kullberg BJ (2008). “Q fever in the Netherlands: a concise overview and implications of the largest ongoing outbreak”. Neth J Med. 66 (9): 365–7. PMID 18931396.
  2. Hartzell JD, Wood-Morris RN, Martinez LJ, Trotta RF (2008). “Q fever: epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment”. Mayo Clin. Proc. 83 (5): 574–9. doi:10.4065/83.5.574. PMID 18452690.
  3. Maurin M, Raoult D (1999). “Q fever”. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 12 (4): 518–53. PMC 88923. PMID 10515901.


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