Prevalence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii in blood donors in the Czech Republic.

In 1988-1993, a total of 3,732 sera of blood donors from two districts (Strakonice and Nový Jicń) of the Czech Republic were tested for antibodies to Coxiella burnetii. Using the complement-fixation test at titers of 8 (10) and higher, the antibodies were detected in 41 (1.1%). No statistically significant difference in seroprevalence between the Strakonice and Nový Jicín districts was found (chi 2 = 2.536, P = 0.112, d.f. = 1). Antibodies were ascertained in 36 donors, 24 of which worked in agriculture. In one donor, antibodies persisted for at least 21 months. The highest ascertained titer was 160.