Screening of blood donors for chronic Coxiella burnetii infection after large Q fever outbreaks

摘要

BackgroundThe Netherlands experienced major Q fever outbreaks from 2007 through 2009. An increasing number of human chronic Q fever cases has been reported in the affected area. Blood donors unaware of chronic Coxiella burnetii infection might be infectious for transfusion recipients. Local blood donations were screened for serologic signs of chronic Coxiella infection.