Serum Q Fever Antibodies in Swedish UN Soldiers in Cyprus—Reflecting a Domestic or Foreign Disease?

Abstract

Swedish soldiers from 2 battalions serving in Cyprus 1975 and 1976 were tested serologically for Coxiella burnetii phase 2 complement-fixing antibodies. 2.7 % were positive. Although none of the seropositive soldiers had been seriously ill abroad, the titers are considered to emanate from an infection in Cyprus as there is no evidence of domestic Q fever from a survey of 1 390 Swedes.