Seroprevalence of Q-fever in febrile individuals in Mali.

OBJECTIVES

We conducted a serological survey for Q-fever among febrile patients in Bamako and Mopti (Mali) and investigated the main risk factors for seroconversion.

METHODS

Blood samples from 156 febrile patients were collected in healthcare facilities of Bamako and Mopti and examined with the microimmunofluorescence test.

RESULTS

Forty per cent (n = 63) were seropositive for Q-fever, 28% in Bamako and 51% in Mopti. A more recent infection was suspected in 9.5% (n = 6) of all seropositive patients. This is the first time that Q-fever seropositivity is reported in febrile individuals in Mali. The patients' symptoms and diagnoses spanned a wide range of conditions; none had been diagnosed with Q fever by their treating physician. No risk factors for seropositivity could be identified with the exception of the city of residence and none could be identified with a logistic regression model with 'city' taken as random effect.

CONCLUSION

A high rate of seropositivity to C. burnetii was found among febrile urban patients in Mali but no risk factors for seropositivity could be identified in this study.