RESEARCH PAPER
Potential association between Coxiella burnetii seroprevalence and selected risk factors among veterinary students in Slovakia.
 
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1
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of P. J. Šafárik, Košice, Slovak Republic
 
2
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Košice, Slovak Republic
 
3
Department of Hygiene and Technology Milk, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Košice, Slovak Republic
 
4
Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of P. J. Šafárik, Košice, Slovak Republic
 
5
Department of Surgery, Railway Hospital, Košice, Slovak Republic
 
 
Corresponding author
Erik Dorko   

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University, Srobarova 2, 040 80 Kosice, Slovak Republic
 
 
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2011;18(1):47-53
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The present study investigated the prevalence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii and the possible factors predisposing students of veterinary medicine to C. burnetii infections. IgG antibodies to phase I and phase II C. burnetii antigens were determined by ELISA. Out of 77 students examined, 13 were positive for phase I and 45 were positive for phase II antibodies. The titres determined were in the range of 1 : 100-1 : 3200. Some risk factors may have contributed to the high seroprevalence found in these subjects. For example, there were positive associations with rural life and exposure to the breeding of farm animals, and in addition, work in a dusty environment, such as on fields, gardens, stables and construction sites were also connected to high seroprevalence.
 
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ISSN:1232-1966
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