Effect of Coxiella burnetii infection on health status of patients following an outbreak of Q fever.

In 2007, a possibly goat-related Q fever outbreak of 73 cases was identified in
the Netherlands [1]. During clinical and serological follow-up of this cohort,
a striking incapacitating and protracted fatigue lasting more than 6 months
after primary Q fever infection was noted in about one third of patients. In
the literature, research groups from England [2-4], Australia [5] and Canada
[6] have reported similar findings and a marked reduced quality of life in
patients after Q fever outbreaks. In the Netherlands, no data exist on the
impact on long term health status after acute Q fever.

To determine the health status of the patients of the Q fever outbreak in the
Netherlands in 2007, one year after primary Q fever infection.

The health status of the patients from the 2007 Q fever outbreak will be
assessed using of the Nijmegen Clinical Screening Instrument (NCSI). This is a
compilation of a well validated, evidence based battery of instruments for
detailed measurement of health status [7].
As controls, Q fever patients are asked to bring along an age and sex matched
*buddy* from their neighbourhood, without a history of Q fever. The controls
will be serologically tested for Q fever.

Taking the patients questionnaire and determining serological Q fever status in
the Q fever group can be considerd part of routine medical care. Controls are
subjected to a single venous blood sampling for serological testing for Q fever
and asked to fill out the NCSI. Results of this investigation will answer the
question whether there really is a long term, Q fever related, decline in
health status in this first ever Dutch Q fever outbreak cohort. As the
incidence of Q fever is likely to increase in the Netherlands in the years to
come, this could lead to an hightened awareness of this chronic sequel after
primary Q fever and better health care for this group of patients.