Erzurum, Kars ve Ardahan İllerindeki Süt Ve Süt Ürünleri Üreticilerinde Q Ateşi Seroprevalansının Araştırılması Investigation of Seroprevalence of Q Fever in Milk and Dairy Products Producers in Erzurum, Kars and Ardahan Provinces ÖZET Amaç: Bu çalışmada Erzurum, Kars ve Ardahan illerinde süt ve süt ürünleri üreticilerinde Q Ateşi seroprevalansının araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: İllerin nüfus yoğunlukları ile bu illerde süt ve süt ürünleriyle uğraşanların sayıları dikkate alınarak rastgele örneklem yöntemiyle belirlenen 18 yaş üzeri 153 kişiden alınan kan örneklerinden elde edilen serumlarda İndirekt İmmünofloresans Antikor Testi (İFAT)  yöntemiyle C.burnetii’ye karşı oluşan IgG ve IgM antikorları araştırılmıştır. Bulgular: Total seropozitiflik oranı Erzurum’da %87.8, Kars’da %92, Ardahan’da %76.2 olarak saptanmıştır. Çalışmaya alınan 153 serumdan 110’unda (%71,9) Faz I antijenlerine karşı oluşan IgG, 24’ünde (%15,7) Faz II Antijenlerine karşı oluşan IgM antikoru saptanmıştır.19 serumda ise (%12.4) sonuç negatif bulunmuştur. Total seropozitiflik oranı erkeklerde %88.7, kadınlarda %85.7 saptanmıştır. C.burnetii IgG erkeklerin %80.4, kadınların %57.1’inde, IgM ise erkeklerin %8.2 kadınların %28.6’sında pozitif saptanmıştır. Cinsiyete göre IgG ve IgM arasındaki fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlıyken, total seropozitiflikte anlamlı değildi.Yaş gruplarına göre total seropozitiflik oranı 18-29 yaş grubunda %58.3, 30-49 yaş grubunda %86.9, 50-69 yaş grubunda %88.7, 70 yaş üzerinde %100, C.burnetii IgG pozitiflik oranı 18-29 yaş grubunda %61.8, 30-49 yaş grubunda %76.8,  50-69 yaş grubunda %70.5,  70 yaş üzerinde %83.3 saptanmıştır. IgG pozitifliği ile yaş grupları arasında korelasyon yoktu. Sonuç: Erzurum, Kars ve Ardahan illerinde Q Ateşinin seroprevalansı Türkiye’nin diğer bölgelerine göre yüksek bulunmuştur. Ülkemiz ekonomisini yakından ilgilendiren bu hastalığın kontrol altına alınması için gerekli önlemlerin alınması, hayvan yetiştiricilerinin eğitilmesi, süt ve süt ürünlerinin satışının denetlenmesi gerekmektedir. Kliniklerde sebebi bilinmeyen ateş tanısı ile takip edilen hastaların Q Ateşi yönünden de incelenmesi, hastalığın prevalansının ortaya konulması ve kontrol altına alınmasında yararlı olacaktır. Anahtar kelime : Q Ateşi,  Süt ve süt ürünleri üreticileri,  İFA,Estimation of Q Fever Seroprevalence in Milk and Dairy Product Manufacturers in Erzurum, Kars and Ardahan Provinces M.Hülya ASLAN 1, Ahmet AYYILDIZ2 1Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital, Microbiology Department 2 Ataturk University, Faculty Of Medicine, Department Of Microbiology ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate Q Fever seroprevalence in milk and dairy product manufacturers in Erzurum, Kars, and Ardahan Provinces. MATERIAL AND METHODS: IgG and IgM antibodies against C. burnetii were investigated by means of indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) method in the sera obtained from the blood samples of 153 people over 18 years of age, who were selected randomly from a population of milk and dairy product manufacturers based on the population densities and the number of individuals engaged in milk and dairy product manufacturing in the respective provinces. RESULTS:  Total seropositivity rate was 87.8%, 92%, and 76.2% in Kars, Erzurum, and Ardahan, respectively. Of the 153 serum samples examined in the study; IgG antibodies against Phase I antigens were detected in 110 (71.9%) samples, and IgM antibodies against Phase I antigens were detected in 24 (15.7%) samples.The test results were negative in 19 (12.4%) samples. The rate of total seropositivity was 88.7% in males and 85.7% in females. C.burnetii IgG was detected in 80.4% of males and 57.1% of females. The IgM antibodies against C.burnetii were found in 8.2% of males and 28.6% of the females. The findings associated with IgG and IgM were statistically significantly different between the two genders; however, total seropositivity rates were not.The total seropositivity rate was 58.3% in the age group of 18-29 years, 86.9% in the age group of 30-49 years, 88.7% in the age group of 50-69 years, and 100% in the age group 70 years and older.  C. burnetii IgG was positive at a rate of 61.8% in the age group of 18-29 years, 76.8% in the age group of 30-49 years, 70.5% in the age group of 50-69 years, and 83.3% in the age group of 70 years and over. There were no correlations between the IgG positivity and the age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Q Fever seroprevalence was found to be higher in Erzurum, Kars, and Ardahan provinces compared to other regions of Turkey. In order to control the spread of this disease, which is closely related to the economic parameters of our country, it is necessary to take appropriate precautions such as training the animal breeders and inspecting the sales of milk and dairy products. Investigating Q fever in patients hospitalised for fever of unknown origin will be useful in taking control of the disease and estimating its prevalence. Key word: Milk and Dairy Product Manufacturers, Q Fever, İFA,

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate Q Fever seroprevalence in milk and dairy product manufacturers in Erzurum, Kars, and Ardahan Provinces.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The IgG and IgM antibodies against C.burnetii were investigated using the IFA method in the serum obtained blood samples taken from 153 people over the age of 18 determined by the population density of the provinces and those dealing with milk and milk products in these provinces.RESULTS: Total seropositivity rate was 87.8 %, 92%, and 76.2% in Kars, Erzurum, and Ardahan, respectively. Of the 153 serum samples examined in the study; IgG antibodies against Phase I antigens were detected in 110 (71.9%) samples, and IgM antibodies against Phase I antigens were detected in 24 (15.7%) samples.The test results were negative in 19 (12.4%) samples. The rate of total seropositivity was 88.7% in males and 85.7% in females. C.burnetii IgG was detected in 80.4% of males and 57.1% of females. The IgM antibodies against C.burnetii were found in 8.2% of males and 28.6% ofthe females. The findings associated with IgG and IgMwere statistically significantly different between the twogenders; however, total seropositivity rates were not. The total seropositivity rate was 58.3% in the age group of 18-29 years, 86.9% in the age group of 30-49 years, 88.7% inthe age group of 50-69 years, and 100% in the age group70 years and older. C. burnetii IgG was positive at a rateof 61,8% in the age group of 18-29 years, 76.8% in theage group of 30-49 years, 70.5% in the age group of 50-69 years, and 83.3% in the age group of 70 years and over. There were no correlations between the IgG positivityand the age groups.CONCLUSIONS: Q Fever seroprevalence was found to be higher in Erzurum, Kars, and Ardahan provinces compared to other regions of Turkey. In order to control the spread of this disease, which is closely related to the economic parameters of our country, it is necessary to take appropriate precautions such as training the animal breeders and inspecting the sales of milk and dairy products. Investigating Q fever in patients hospitalised for fever of unknown origin will be useful in taking control of the disease and estimating its prevalence.