Seroepizootology of Q fever in Bulgaria during the last five years

Abstract

The work presents results of investigations on Q fever seroepizootology in Bulgaria during the last five years. These data are compared with the preceding period from 1950 to 1983. The basic method for investigation is Complement fixation test. Also used are immunofluorescence, agglutination reaction, cultivation and direct Electron microscopy. In general 15,814 samples were tested. Q fever positivity was foundin 10.08% of cattle, 20.44% of sheep, 10.17% of goats, 59.25% of dogs, 26.66% of magpies, 11.11% of wood-pigeons, 7.40% of mouflons, 7.14% of foxes and 5.82% of hens. These data confirm the results of our preceding investigations for the wide dissemination of C. burnetti among domestic animals. Positive data for the significant spread of C. burnetti among the wild animals and birds also exists. The disease manifests itself clinically in abortions in sheep and cattle and mastitis in sheep. The inapparent form, however, is much more frequent. The infected dogs represent a special interest. The control measures are based on the wide use of tetracyclines. The presented data testify to the continuing importance of the problem of Q fever in Bulgaria.

Current Equine Infectious Disease Situation in Bulgaria

“…The increase of the seropositivity started in 1989 (2.85 %), and reached 4.76% (1994), followed by slight progressive increase during 1996-1997. The increase of the seropositivity rate could be a sign of an activation of natural and agricultural foci of Q-fever and also of the cyclic recurrence of the investigation (19). In earlier studies of Bulgarian authors (20,21) was found, that in some active agricultural foci of Q-fever with high spread of Coxiella burnetti among cattle, sheep and goats can be detected considerable seropositive rates among horses, up to 20 %.…”

“…psittaci in equine infectious pathology have been carried out by S. P. Martinov (unpublished data). Studies on Q-fever in horses in Bulgaria were performed by several research groups (19,20,21). Some authors reported their results from studies on African Horse Sickness (4,5,6 The aim of the present work is to perform comparative etiological studies on the Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), Equine Rhinomneumonitis (ER), Equine Influenza (EI), Chlamydia psittaci infections (Chp.l) and Qfever (Qt) during the period of 1989-1997.…”

“…al. ( 19) from three preceding periods -the first from 1950, when Q-fever was first observed in Bulgaria, to 1976, the second, from 1977 to 1983, and the third, from 1984 to 1988. The percentage of seropositive horses was 4.48% ), 1.02% (1977-1983), and 0.86% (1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988).…”

“…In the C. burnetti infected flocks of sheep and goats and in the cattle herds, the clinical and etiologic parallels are well described (10,19). Mass abortions, respiratory manifestations, mastitis, abortions and still-births.…”

Study on the Serological Diagnosis of Q-Fever in Animals

“…al. (18). The sera which showed retention of the compliment at dilution of 1: 10 were further examined at ascending dilutions.…”