Serological Evidence of Human Infection with Coxiella burnetii after Occupational Exposure to Aborting Cattle

Summary

This occupational health study provides serological evidence that cattle infected with Coxiella burnetii pose a specific infection risk to farm and veterinary workers handling aborted material. Of 27 exposed workers, 37% showed serological evidence of C. burnetii infection, with antibody profiles suggesting recent exposure temporally aligned with the bovine abortion outbreak. The findings formally establish infected cattle as a human Q fever transmission source, complementing the broader literature which has historically emphasised small ruminants.

Regional applicability

The findings are directly applicable to UK farm and veterinary diagnostic laboratory practice, where similar occupational exposures occur during cattle abortion investigations and management. UK occupational health guidance for workers handling bovine reproductive material should consider C. burnetii as a documented hazard requiring appropriate biosafety protocols.

Key measures

Anti-phase II C. burnetii IgG and IgM titres measured by indirect fluorescent antibody tests; serological profile classification; temporal inference of exposure window (2.5–4.5 months prior to testing)

Outcomes reported

The study measured anti-phase II Coxiella burnetii IgG and IgM antibodies in 27 farm and veterinary laboratory workers to assess serological evidence of infection following occupational exposure to aborting cattle. Four distinct serological profiles were identified, with 10 of 27 workers (37%) showing evidence of recent or past C. burnetii exposure.

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