[Occurrence of infections with C burnetii (Q fever) in persons from increased risk groups in Poland--serological survey and evaluation of studied methods].

During years 1988-1991 at Regional Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations in Białystok, Kielce, Lublin, Leszno, Piotrków Trybunalski, Lódź, Poznań, Plock, Opole, Sanok, Skierniewice and Zielona Góra--serological studies in persons amenable to compulsory check-up against brucellosis were performed for detection of infections with C. burnetii. In whole, 20651 persons were investigated on the Polish territory and it was found that in 22.8% antibodies against antigens of C. burnetii are present. Percentage of persons with detected antibodies varied in different regions from 0 to 41.7%. No antibodies were found in persons inhabiting regions of Kielce, Piotrków Trybunalski and Skierniewice. Most persons with antibodies indicating contact with C. burnetii were found in West Poland, namely in the Leszno and Poznań region. As in diagnosis of Q fever two methods (OWD and OMA) or OWD only were applied, it is difficult to compare results obtained in regions using two or only one method of determination.