The role of wild rodents in spread and transmission of Coxiella burnetii needs further elucidation

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastiaan G. Meerburg ◽  
Chantal B. E. M. Reusken
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Direct Transmission ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
Exact Role ◽  
Sylvatic Cycle ◽  
Geographic Spread ◽  
Domestic Cycle ◽  
Food Losses

Rodents are known to cause massive food losses, but are also implicated as reservoirs for a wide variety of zoonotic pathogens. This review discusses the contribution of rodents in the spread and transmission of Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q-fever. We found that rodents have been implicated as reservoirs for Q-fever, but their role in pathogen maintenance, geographic spread and transmission still remains to be clarified. As there are indications for a role of rodents in Q-fever epidemiology, including during the 2007–10 outbreak in the Netherlands, the overall lack of knowledge on the role of rodents warrants studies into their contribution in transmission of C. burnetii from the sylvatic cycle to the domestic cycle, in within-herd transmission, in transmission to surrounding farms and in direct transmission to humans. Although the basic sylvatic and domestic cycles of C. burnetii infection can operate independently, they will overlap in many instances as many areas in the world are occupied by both domestic and wild animals. This area of Q-fever ecology is of interest and research should focus on this aspect of Q-fever epidemiology and, in particular, on the role of rodents therein. More studies are needed that elicit the exact role of rodents in epidemiology of C. burnetii to further optimise disease control.

scholarly journals Seasonality of Coxiella burnetii among Wild Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the Hyalomma lusitanicum (Acari: Ixodidae) in a Meso-Mediterranean Ecosystem

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
María Sánchez ◽  
Félix Valcárcel ◽  
Julia González ◽  
Marta G. González ◽  
Raquel Martín-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Mediterranean Ecosystem ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Sylvatic Cycle ◽  
Almost Everywhere ◽  
In The Wild

(1) Background: Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii that have cases reported in humans and animals almost everywhere. The aim of this study was to describe the seasonality of Coxiella burnetii in the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the tick Hyalomma lusitanicum in a meso-Mediterranean ecosystem. (2) Methods: two populations of wild rabbits that differ in whether or not they share habitat with ungulates, mainly red deer (Cervus elaphus) were sampled for a year to collect ticks, blood and vaginal or anal swabs. Presence of C. burnetii DNA in swabs and the tick H. lusitanicum was determined by PCR and serum antibodies by ELISA. (3) Results: C. burnetii DNA was detected in 47.2% of 583 rabbits, in 65.5% of sera, and in more than half of the H. lusitanicum. There were small variations according to sex and age of the rabbits but significant according to the habitat (4) Conclusions: The results indicate that C. burnetii circulates freely between wild rabbits and H. lusitanicum and the sylvatic cycle in meso-Mediterranean environments relies in the presence of wild rabbits and H. lusitanicum above all if sharing habitat with red deer.

scholarly journals Coxiella burnetii seroprevalence in primiparous and multiparous ewes from southern Australia: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Clune ◽  
Amy Lockwood ◽  
Serina Hancock ◽  
Andrew N. Thompson ◽  
Mieghan Bruce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Natural Exposure ◽  
Reproductive Disease

Abstract Coxiella burnetii can cause reproductive disease in sheep and zoonotic Q-fever infections in humans. The role of infectious diseases including coxiellosis in causing poorer reproductive performance of primiparous ewes is not well studied. The aim of this study was to determine if natural exposure to C. burnetii is associated with poor reproductive performance of primiparous ewes and compare seroprevalence of primiparous and multiparous ewes. Coxiella burnetii seroprevalence was 0.08% (95% confidence interval 0.01, 0.36) in primiparous ewes and 0.36% (0.07, 1.14) in mature ewes. Coxiella burnetii was not detected in tissue samples from aborted or stillborn lambs using molecular diagnostic tests (qPCR). These findings suggest that C. burnetii infection was unlikely to be an important contributor to abortion and perinatal mortalities observed for primiparous ewes, and exposure to C. burnetii was not widespread in ewes on farms located over wide geographical region of southern Australia.

scholarly journals Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii infection in aborted samples of domestic ruminants in Iran

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0250116
Author(s):  
Ashraf Mohabati Mobarez ◽  
Mohammad Khalili ◽  
Ehsan Mostafavi ◽  
Saber Esmaeili
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Molecular Detection ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Domestic Ruminant ◽  
Domestic Ruminants ◽  
Pcr Targeting ◽  
Different Parts

Background Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever which is a highly infectious zoonotic disease. C. burnetii has become one of the most important causes of abortion in livestock, which can lead to widespread abortions in these animals. There are very limited studies on the prevalence of C. burnetii infection in cases of animal abortion in Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of C. burnetii in ruminant abortion samples in Iran. Methods Abortion samples from cattle, sheep and goats were collected from different parts of Iran and were tested using Real-time PCR targeting the IS1111 element of C. burnetii. Results In this study, 36 samples (24.7%) of the 146 collected samples were positive for C. burnetii. The prevalence of C. burnetii was 21.3% (20 of 94 samples) in sheep samples. Also, 10 of 46 cattle samples (21.7%) were positive. All six goat abortion samples were positive for C. burnetii. Conclusions The findings of the study demonstrate that C. burnetii plays an important role in domestic ruminant abortions in Iran, suggesting that more attention should be paid to the role of C. burnetii in domestic animal abortions by veterinary organizations. The risk of transmitting the infection to humans due to abortion of animals should also be considered.

scholarly journals First serological record of Coxiella burnetii infection in the equine population of Slovakia

Biologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Drážovská ◽  
Marián Prokeš ◽  
Boris Vojtek ◽  
Jana Mojžišová ◽  
Anna Ondrejková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Elisa Method ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Specific Antibodies

AbstractCoxiella burnetii is a worldwide zoonotic pathogen causing Q fever in various animal species and humans. In Slovakia, cases of C. burnetii infection in both animals and humans are confirmed every year. The role of horses in the epidemiology of this neglected disease is still unclear. In our study, we focused on a serosurvey of C. burnetii in the equine population in Slovakia by the ELISA method. Subsequently, a nested PCR was performed to detect the 16S rRNA fragment of the genus Coxiella. Among 184 horse sera, the presence of specific antibodies to C. burnetii was detected in four samples, representing a 2.17% seropositivity. All the positive horses were mares; two originated from Central Slovakia and two from Eastern Slovakia. Although the number of positive samples was too small for a determination of statistical significance, our results provide the first confirmation of antibodies to C. burnetii in horses from Slovakia. Although no positive PCR result was obtained, these serological findings may help to clarify the circulation of the pathogen in the environment.

scholarly journals Experimental Inoculation of Male Rats with Coxiella burnetii: Successful Infection but No Transmission to Cage Mates

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (16) ◽  
pp. 5661-5665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke Opsteegh ◽  
Lenny Hogerwerf ◽  
Stephane Nooijen ◽  
Cecile Dam-Deisz ◽  
Lianne de Heer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Reservoir Host ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Reproduction Ratio ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Successful Infection

ABSTRACTBeginning in 2007, the largest human Q fever outbreak ever described occurred in the Netherlands. Dairy goats from intensive farms were identified as the source, amplifyingCoxiella burnetiiduring gestation and shedding large quantities during abortions. It has been postulated that wild rodents are reservoir hosts from whichC. burnetiican be transmitted to domestic animals and humans. However, little is known about the infection dynamics ofC. burnetiiin wild rodents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) can be experimentally infected withC. burnetiiand whether transmission to a cage mates occurs. Fourteen male brown rats (wild type) were intratracheally or intranasally inoculated with a DutchC. burnetiiisolate obtained from a goat. At 3 days postinoculation, a contact rat was placed with each inoculated rat. The pairs were monitored using blood samples and rectal and throat swabs for 8 weeks, and after euthanasia the spleens were collected. Rats became infected by both inoculation routes, and detection ofC. burnetiiDNA in swabs suggests that excretion occurred. However, based on the negative spleens in PCR and the lack of seroconversion, none of the contact animals was considered infected; thus, no transmission was observed. The reproduction ratioR0was estimated to be 0 (95% confidence interval = 0 to 0.6), indicating that it is unlikely that rats act as reservoir host ofC. burnetiithrough sustained transmission between male rats. Future research should focus on other transmission routes, such as vertical transmission or bacterial shedding during parturition.

The genome of Coxiella burnetii Z3055, a clone linked to the Netherlands Q fever outbreaks, provides evidence for the role of drift in the emergence of epidemic clones

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 281-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicetta D’Amato ◽  
Laetitia Rouli ◽  
Sophie Edouard ◽  
Judith Tyczka ◽  
Matthieu Million ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever

Coxiella burnetii(Q fever) as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia during the warm season in Germany

2013 ◽  
Vol 142 (9) ◽  
pp. 1905-1910 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. SCHACK ◽  
S. SACHSE ◽  
J. RÖDEL ◽  
D. FRANGOULIDIS ◽  
M. W. PLETZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Test ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Notifiable Disease ◽  
General Role ◽  
Diagnostic Step

SUMMARYQ fever is a notifiable disease in Germany. The majority of the reported cases are related to outbreaks. The objective of our study was to evaluate the general role of Q fever in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We investigated respiratory samples and sera from 255 patients with CAP, who were enrolled into a CAPNETZ cohort in summer 2005. Altogether, our data showed a significant prevalence of Q fever as CAP (3·5%). If a patient's condition leads to a diagnostic test forChlamydophilasp.,Mycoplasmasp. orLegionellasp., then a Q fever diagnostic test should also be included. In particular, ELISA as a first diagnostic step is easy to perform. PCR should be performed at an early stage of the disease if no antibodies are detectable. Because of our highly promising findings we suggest performing PCR in respiratory samples.

scholarly journals Transstadial Transmission from Nymph to Adult of Coxiella burnetii by Naturally Infected Hyalomma lusitanicum

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia González ◽  
Marta G. González ◽  
Félix Valcárcel ◽  
María Sánchez ◽  
Raquel Martín-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Transstadial Transmission ◽  
Silicone Membranes

Coxiella burnetii (Derrick) Philip, the causative agent of Q fever, is mainly transmitted by aerosols, but ticks can also be a source of infection. Transstadial and transovarical transmission of C. burnetii by Hyalomma lusitanicum (Koch) has been suggested. There is a close relationship between this tick species, wild animals and C. burnetii but the transmission in a natural environment has not been demonstrated. In this study, we collected 80 engorged nymphs of H. lusitanicum from red deer and wild rabbits. They molt to adults under laboratory conditions and we feed them artificially through silicone membranes after a preconditioning period. C. burnetii DNA was tested in ticks, blood and feces samples using real-time PCR. The pathogen was found in 36.25% of fed adults demonstrating that transstadial transmission from nymph to adult occurs in nature. The presence of DNA in the 60% of blood samples confirms that adults transmit the bacteria during feeding. Further studied are needed about co-feeding and other possible transmission routes to define the role of this tick species in the cycle of C. burnetii.

scholarly journals Molecular-based Survey of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Fars Province, Southern Iran, during 2017-18

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 281-289
Author(s):  
Zahra Hoseini ◽  
Hamzeh Alipour ◽  
Kourosh Azizi ◽  
Aboozar Soltani
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Primer Design ◽  
High Abundance ◽  
Fars Province ◽  
Conventional Pcr ◽  
Exact Role ◽  
Tropical Areas ◽  
First Time ◽  
Pcr Techniques

Objectives: Since there have not been any studies on the roles of the Iranian mosquitoes in the transmission of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burneti, the present study investigates the roles of mosquitoes in the transmission of the pathogens using the PCR techniques for the first time in Iran. Methods: The present study was conducted in Fars province during the activity seasons of mosquitoes in 2017-18. The primer design was done to investigate the probability of mosquito’s contamination with Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. The conventional PCR was used after the extraction of DNA from mosquitoes to study the contamination. Results: A total of 1103 adult mosquitoes were collected and identified. Among them, 3 genera and 11 species were identified, including Anopheles (25.74%), Culex (51.84%) and Culiseta (22.39%) genera. All tested mosquitoes were negative in terms of contamination to Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. Conclusion: Based on the results, mosquitoes are not considered as vectors of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in this part of the country currently. Further studies on a larger scale are needed to examine the exact role of mosquitoes (as a possible vector with high abundance and mobility) in the transmission of these pathogens in tropical areas of Iran.

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