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Chlamydophila abortus infection in a pregnant woman associated with indirect contact with infected goats

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Abstract

Reported here is the case of a pregnant woman who developed a severe Chlamydophila abortus infection after indirect contact with infected goats resulting in preterm stillbirth. The woman fully recovered after treatment with doxycycline. In the goat herd with which her husband worked Chlamydophila abortus was actively circulating, as shown by positive serology. When pregnant women present with rapidly worsening influenza-like illness, special attention should be given to possible contact (direct or indirect) with animals when recording the anamnesis. Pregnant women, especially those who live in rural areas, should generally be made aware of the risks of zoonotic diseases and how to avoid them.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank H. Boswijk, H. van der Nat, B. van der Veer, and S. Gielis-Proper (National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands) for technical assistance in analysing the human placenta, and Dr. D. J. Houwers (Bacteriology Division, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands) for performing the Pourquier-ELISA on the goat sera.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diagnostic Laboratory for Infectious Diseases and Perinatal Screening, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

    A. Meijer

  2. Public Health Laboratory Friesland, Jelsumerstraat 6, 8917 EN, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

    A. Brandenburg

  3. Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Hospital Nij Smellinghe, P.O. Box 20 200, 9200 DA, Drachten, The Netherlands

    J. de Vries

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Nij Smellinghe, P.O. Box 20 200, 9200 DA, Drachten, The Netherlands

    J. Beentjes

  5. Laboratory of Pathology, Toxicology and Genetics, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

    P. Roholl

  6. Animal Health Service, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA, Deventer, The Netherlands

    D. Dercksen

Authors
  1. A. Meijer
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  2. A. Brandenburg
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  3. J. de Vries
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  4. J. Beentjes
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  5. P. Roholl
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  6. D. Dercksen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Meijer.

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Meijer, A., Brandenburg, A., de Vries, J. et al. Chlamydophila abortus infection in a pregnant woman associated with indirect contact with infected goats. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 23, 487–490 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-004-1139-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-004-1139-z

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