Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Cultivation Methods of Spirochetes from Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Complex and Relapsing Fever Borrelia
10:37

Cultivation Methods of Spirochetes from Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Complex and Relapsing Fever Borrelia

Published on: November 25, 2022

Q fever outbreak during the Czech Army deployment in Bosnia

Miroslav Splino1, Jiri Beran, Roman Chlíbek

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Purkyne Military Medical Academy, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.

Military Medicine
|November 19, 2003
PubMed

Insights

An outbreak of Q fever affected Czech soldiers in Bosnia in 1997, with 4.6% infected. Proximity to a sheep farm and helicopter activity near a military base were potential causes.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Military Medicine

Background:

  • Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii.
  • Military deployments can increase exposure to novel infectious agents.
  • Outbreaks in deployed forces require rapid identification and control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate an epidemic of Q fever among United Nations (U.N.) Stabilization Force soldiers in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1997.
  • To identify risk factors and potential sources of infection.
  • To describe clinical presentation and treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Serological confirmation of Q fever infections in soldiers.
  • Retrospective analysis of case data, including symptoms and clinical findings.
  • Epidemiological investigation to identify potential environmental exposures and transmission routes.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-six soldiers (4.6%) had confirmed Q fever infections, with 14 experiencing febrile illness and 12 subclinical infections.
  • Pneumonia was observed in five cases.
  • The highest incidence occurred at Dolna Ljubija base (9.4% attack rate), near a sheep farm and helicopter operations.

Conclusions:

  • The Q fever outbreak was linked to environmental exposure, likely from a nearby sheep farm.
  • Helicopter operations may have aerosolized infectious agents, contributing to the outbreak.
  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics like doxycycline are crucial for managing Q fever in deployed personnel.

More Related Videos

The Development of Lyophilized Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification Reagents for the Detection of Coxiella burnetii07:27

The Development of Lyophilized Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification Reagents for the Detection of Coxiella burnetii

Published on: April 18, 2016

Generation and Multi-phenotypic High-content Screening of Coxiella burnetii Transposon Mutants11:44

Generation and Multi-phenotypic High-content Screening of Coxiella burnetii Transposon Mutants

Published on: May 13, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
Patterns of Fever01:26

Patterns of Fever

Before understanding the types and patterns of fever, it is essential to know its phases.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Yellow Fever01:18

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted primarily by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America. After transmission through a mosquito bite, the virus initially replicates in skin-resident immune cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages. These cells then migrate to the lymph nodes, where viral replication increases, eventually leading to...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...