Rickettsial antibody in southern France: antibodies to Rickettsia conorii and Coxiella burnetii among urban, suburban and semi-rural blood donors

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1987;81(1):80-1. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(87)90290-2.

Abstract

Three hundred and twenty-five sera from blood donors in the south of France were examined by means of the indirect fluorescent antibody test. 18% of the sera had antibodies to Rickettsia conorii, with a significantly higher prevalence (26%) in urban and suburban areas than in semi-rural areas (13 to 16%). This supports the view that in the south of France the highest prevalence of Mediterranean Spotted Fever is suburban. 5% of the sera had antibodies to Coxiella burnetti in this area, in which Q fever is endemic.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis*
  • Blood Donors
  • Boutonneuse Fever / immunology
  • Coxiella / immunology*
  • Female
  • France
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Q Fever / immunology
  • Rickettsia / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial