Genetic evidence of coxiella burnetii infection in acute febrile illnesses in Iran

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. © 2019 Esmaeili et al