Q fever in dupnitsa and Sapareva Banya – an exotic or traditional disease for the region?
General Medicine, 2024, 26(6), 23-28.
M. Popov1, V. Velev2, M. Pavlova3, P. Genova-Kalu3, P. Parusheva4, N. Yancheva5
1 Department of Infectious Diseases, MHAT „Sv. Ivan Rilski“ ‒ Dupnitsa
2 Department of Epidemiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University ‒ Sofia
3 NCIPD ‒ Sofia
4 Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Microbiology, Parasitology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine,
University оf Trakia ‒ Stara Zagora
5 Department of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University ‒ Sofia
Abstract. Q-fever is a zoonosis with multiple transmission mechanisms that is caused by Coxiella burnetii. The main reservoir of infection are ungulates, cats and ticks. The disease can occur only with a pronounced toxic-infectious syndrome, but it can lead to pneumonia, hepatitis, and in chronic conditions to endocarditis, osteomyelitis. In this report, we present three clinical cases of whooping cough among residents of the Dupnitsa and Sapareva Banya municipalities, looking at the broad differential-diagnostic aspect of pulmonary processes and particularity of atypical pneumonias. After the diagnosis of these three cases, Q-fever outbreaks were proven in two villages on the territory of the Dupnitsa municipality, which makes the region endemic and at risk for the occurrence of the Q-fever disease. With a proper treatment for 14-21 days, chronification does not occur. For prevention District Health Inspectorate recommends the use of gloves by veterinary workers, the burning of stillborn fetuses and their placentas, the use of repellents and, if possible, limiting the grazing activities of the territory of the cities.
Key words: Q-fever, multiple transmission mechanisms, pneumonia, hepatitis, endocarditis, placentas, stillbirths
Address for correspondence: Metodi Popov, MD, e-mail: metodi_b_popov@abv.bg