The first case of Q fever in Taiwan was reported in 1993. The disease is considered to be emerging in Taiwan, but the route of transmission has remained unclear. The annual number of confirmed Q fever cases has been increasing up to more than 100 cases since 2005, comparing with less than 30 before 2003. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of Coxiella burnetii infection in veterinary-associated populations in southern Taiwan. A total of 228 serum samples of high risk individuals engaging in veterinary-related work or animal-farm work, were collected between March and June in 2007. The study individuals were interviewed by a structured questionnaire designed for Q fever investigation. Serum samples from different animal species were also obtained for Q fever analysis in the same study areas. Serological test was conducted by indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA). The result demonstrated the overall seroprevalence of Q fever was 26.3% in individuals engaging in veterinary and animal-related work in southern Taiwan. After multiple logistic regression analysis, goat exposure was significantly associated with seropositivity of Q fever in the study population in southern Taiwan (adjusted odds ratio: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.06-6.46). In addition, the highest seroprevalence (43.8%) of Q fever was identified in goats (P < 0.05). Finally, this study documented that people with prior knowledge of Q fever were less likely to be seropositive for C. burnetii. It was concluded that goat exposure was the most important risk factor associated with C. burnetii infection and appropriate health education could be useful to prevent high risk individuals from the infection in southern Taiwan.

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Endophytic bacteria and fungi colonize plants that grow in various types of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Our study investigates the communities of endophytic bacteria and fungi of halophyte Kalidium schrenkianum growing in stressed habitats with ionizing radiation. The geochemical factors and radiation (at low, medium, high level and control) both affected the structure of endophytic communities. The bacterial class Actinobacteria and the fungal class Dothideomycetes predominated the endophytic communities of K. schrenkianum. Aerial tissues of K. schrenkianum had higher fungal diversity, while roots had higher bacterial diversity. Radiation had no significant effect on the abundance of bacterial classes. Soil pH, total nitrogen, and organic matter showed significant effects on the diversity of root endophytes. Radiation affected bacterial and fungal community structure in roots but not in aerial tissues, and had a strong effect on fungal co-occurrence networks. Overall, the genetic diversity of both endophytic bacteria and fungi was higher in radioactive environments, however negative correlations were found between endophytic bacteria and fungi in the plant. The genetic diversity of both endophytic bacteria and fungi was higher in radioactive environments. Our findings suggest that radiation affects root endophytes, and that the endophytes associated with aerial tissues and roots of K. schrenkianum follow different mechanisms for community assembly and different paradigms in stress response.

Endophytes are microbes found within tissues of plants in various types of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including those habitats with ionizing radiation. Our study investigates the differences in composition of bacterial and fungal endophytes associated with the halophytic plant Kalidium schrenkianum and the effects of geochemical factors and radiation (at low, medium, high level and control) on the community structure of endophytic bacteria and fungi. The bacterial class Actinobacteria and the fungal class Dothideomycetes predominated the endophytic communities of K. schrenkianum. Aboveground parts had higher fungal diversity while belowground parts had higher bacterial diversity. Soil pH, total nitrogen, and organic matter showed significant effects on the diversity of root endophytes. Radiation had no significant effect on the abundance of different bacterial classes. Sordariomycetes predominated the root fungal microbiota under high radiation intensity. Differences in the endophytic communities between aboveground and belowground parts were more than that between the radiation levels. No significant differences were found in the aboveground bacterial communities among the radiation levels. Radiation showed a significant effect on the fungal co-occurrence networks. Negative correlations were found between endophytic bacteria and fungi in the plant. The genetic diversity of both endophytic bacteria and fungi was higher in radioactive environments. Our findings suggest that the endophytes associated with aboveground and belowground parts of K. schrenkianum follow different mechanisms for community assembly and different paradigms in stress response.