Seroepidemiological study of Q fever in domestic ruminants in semi-extensive grazing systems

Abstract

BackgroundQ fever, a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, is endemic in northern Spain where it has been reported as responsible for large series of human pneumonia cases and domestic ruminants' reproductive disorders. To investigate pathogen exposure among domestic ruminants in semi-extensive grazing systems in northern Spain, a serosurvey was carried out in 1,379 sheep (42 flocks), 626 beef cattle (46 herds) and 115 goats (11 herds). Serum antibodies were analysed by ELISA and positive samples were retested by Complement Fixation test (CFT) to detect recent infections.ResultsELISA anti-C. burnetii antibody prevalence was slightly higher in sheep (11.8 ± 2.0%) than in goats (8.7 ± 5.9%) and beef cattle (6.7 ± 2.0%). Herd prevalence was 74% for ovine, 45% for goat and 43% for bovine. Twenty-one percent of sheep flocks, 27% of goat and 14% of cattle herds had a C. burnetii seroprevalence ≥ 20%. Only 15 out of 214 ELISA-positive animals reacted positive by CFT. Age-associated seroprevalence differed between ruminant species with a general increasing pattern with age. No evidence of correlation between abortion history and seroprevalence rates was observed despite the known abortifacient nature of C. burnetii in domestic ruminants.ConclusionsResults reported herein showed that sheep had the highest contact rate with C. burnetii in the region but also that cattle and goats should not be neglected as part of the domestic cycle of C. burnetii. This work reports basic epidemiologic patterns of C. burnetii in semi-extensive grazed domestic ruminants which, together with the relevant role of C. burnetii as a zoonotic and abortifacient agent, makes these results to concern both Public and Animal Health Authorities.

Serological prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in dairy goats and ewes diagnosed with adverse pregnancy outcomes in Greece

“…In detail, ELISA test showed in total C. burnetii seroprevalence of 14.4%, CI: 12.1-17% (RGC: 9.9%, CI: 7.3-12.4%) in goats and 8%, CI: 6.3-10.1% (RGC: 3.2%, CI: 1.2-5.1%) in sheep. Similar studies dealing with epidemic reproductive disorders have indicated that C. burnetii seroprevalence ranges between 31-93% in goat flocks and 9-25% in sheep flocks [9]. Furthermore, in the presented study, statistically significant differences were found between goat and sheep seroprevalences (χ 2 =16.36, p-value=0.000≤0.05).…”

Investigação sorológica de Rickettsia rickettsii e Coxiella burnetii em caprinos e ovinos no entorno do Parque Nacional da Serra das Confusões, Piauí

“…Pesquisas sobre a prevalência da infecção em caprinos e ovinos no Brasil são escassos. Estudos soroepidemiológicos realizados em outros países (Espanha, Alemanha, Irã) e no continente africano relataram prevalência da infecção por C. burnetii variando entre 11 a 74% (Ruiz-Fons et al 2010, Hilbert et al 2012, Esmaeli et al 2013, Vanderburg et al 2014 Apenas um ovino sororreativo foi encontrado parasitado por R. microplus, não permitindo estabelecer uma correlação segura entre a ocorrência do vetor e a presença de anticorpos nas amostras soropositivas, ainda que a presença do carrapato R. microplus em outros animais do mesmo rebanho sugira uma possível transmissão de C. burnetii. Mesmo não sendo verificada a presença de anticorpos anti--C. burnetii em caprinos, não se descarta a possível infecção nestes animais como parte do ciclo doméstico da C. burnetii.…”

Host and Environmental Factors Modulate the Exposure of Free-Ranging and Farmed Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) to Coxiella burnetii

“…For analytical purposes, four age classes were established: calf (Cf; 0 to 1 years old), yearling (Yr; 1 to 2 years old), subadult (Sa; 2 to 3 years old), and adult (Ad; Ͼ3 years old). In free-ranging populations, a conscious negative bias against calves existed according to reported agerelated C. burnetii seroprevalence patterns (32,41).…”