Coxiella burnetii
 (Q fever) prevalence in associated populations of humans and small ruminants in The Gambia

AbstractQ fever is a disease of high zoonotic potential, but interest in its causative agent is rather low although it causes some public health problems in Hungary. The prevalence of Q fever is highly variable by country. The main reservoirs of the disease are the same domestic ruminant species everywhere, but the epidemiological profile depends on the features of the specific reservoir. The aim of this large-scale study was to demonstrate the importance of Q fever in different species as a possible source for human infection in most regions of Hungary. A total of 851 serum samples from 44 dairy farms, 16 sheep flocks, 4 goat farms and 3 zoos located in different parts of Hungary were tested. The presence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii was surveyed in dairy cattle (n = 547), goats (n = 71), sheep (n = 200) and zoo animals (n = 33). The animal species tested in Hungary showed different seroprevalence values of C. burnetii infection. Seropositivity by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was found in 258 out of 547 (47.2%) cows and in 69 out of 271 (25.5%) small ruminants, among them in 47 out of 200 (23.5%) sheep and in 22 out of 71 (31.0%) goats. Antibodies to C. burnetii were not detected in zoo animals. Seropositivity was demonstrated in 44 out of 44 (100%) dairy cattle farms, with at least one serum sample found to be positive on each farm. The seropositivity rate of small ruminant farms was 55.0% (11 positive out of 20 tested), with 9 out of 16 (56.3%) sheep flocks and 2 out of 4 (50.0%) goat herds showing seropositivity.

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence of Q fever in small ruminants in the northeast Anatolian region in Turkey

Medycyna Weterynaryjna ◽

10.21521/mw.6522 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 77 (05) ◽

pp. 6522-2021

Author(s):

PERIHAN SERIFOĞLU BAGATIR ◽

BIRAY OKUMUS ◽

EDIZ KAAN OZGEN ◽

MUSTAFA ULUCAN ◽

BERNA YANMAZ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phase I ◽

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Indirect Elisa ◽

Q Fever ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Goat Population

The aim of our study was to determine the seroepidemiological profile of Q fever in small ruminants in Turkey and to examine its prevalence changes over the years. The study included 573 serum samples taken in 2013 and 472 samples taken in 2017 from animals in mixed herds of sheep and goats from 84 farms in Northeast Anatolia. Phase I and phase II IgG antibodies against Coxiella burnetii in serum samples were investigated by IDEXX ELISA (Q fever Ab Test IDEXX Laboratories, USA) indirect ELISA kits. Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii IgG in Artvin, Gümüşhane and Iğdır provinces was 5.6% in sheep, 1.8% in goats and 4.5% in total in 2013. In contrast, it was 24.4% in sheep, 1.1% in goats and 20.1% in total in 2017. According to the total seroprevalence rates calculated by including both sheep and goat population, it was seen that the province with the highest seroprevalence change in these animals was Iğdır with a 7.3-fold increase. Herd-level seroprevalence was 29.4% in 2013 and 57.6% in 2017. According to these results, the C. burnetii IgG seroprevalence nearly doubled after four years. This increase has been evaluated as a major risk for animal and human health as well as for the livestock economy in Northeastern Anatolia, where animal husbandry is intense.

Download Full-text

C. burnetii Shedding Study In Domestic Animals in Georgia

Online Journal of Public Health Informatics ◽

10.5210/ojphi.v11i1.9738 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marine Nikolaishvili

Keyword(s):

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Milk Sample ◽

Q Fever ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Epidemiological Surveillance ◽

Bacterial Disease ◽

Animal Blood ◽

The Third ◽

Seropositive Animal

ObjectiveQ fever is poorly understood in Georgia and its prevalence is largely underestimated in both humans and animals.One of the main goal of the project was shedding study in domestic animals – isolation of C. burnetii from suspected seropositive animal blood, milk samples.IntroductionQ fever is a zoonotic bacterial disease resulting from infection by Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) are considered the main reservoir for the pathogen, which can also infect humans. Q fever is poorly understood in Georgia and its prevalence is largely underestimated in both humans and animals.In Georgia Q fever laboratory diagnostic was started and implemented at the Laboratory of the Ministry of Georgia (LMA) within GG20 ,,Prevalence, Epidemiological Surveillance, and Laboratory Analysis of Coxiella burnetii in Georgia’’.MethodsLMA conducted Coxiella burnetii shedding evaluation in three specific farms from Kvemo Kartli (Tsalka, Dmanisi) and Mtskheta-Mtianeti (Dusheti). Seropositive cattle and small ruminants were sampled per week. Sampling lasted 7 weeks and totally 581 samples samples (blood, milk and swab) were tested. Testing were conducted in a BSL3 laboratory under BSL3 working conditions. ACCM medium was used (2XACCm-2 acidified Citrate Cysteine Medium PH-4.75G N NaOH). The samples were incubated at 37°C using CO2.ResultsAs a result of the study, one culture was bacteriologically isolated from seropositive cattle milk sample ( the sample was taken on the third week of the study in Beshtasheni farm, Tslka, Kvemo Kartli) and confirmed by Molecular biology (PCR).ConclusionsThe study confirmed Q fever existence in Georgia. Traditionally considered an obligate intracellular agent, the requirement to be grown in tissue culture cells, embryonated eggs, or animal hosts has made it difficult to isolate C. Burnetii strains. Within the study one culture was isolated from the seropositive animal milk sample that was collected in the third week of the study. shedding of Coxiella burnetii in milk by infected cows appeared to be the most frequent positive sample for the bacterium.

Download Full-text

Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in small ruminants and genotyping of specimens collected from goats in Poland

BMC Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s12917-021-03051-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Agnieszka Jodełko ◽

Monika Szymańska-Czerwińska ◽

Jolanta Grażyna Rola ◽

Krzysztof Niemczuk

Keyword(s):

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Small Ruminant ◽

Q Fever ◽

Variable Number Tandem Repeat ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Variable Number ◽

Tissue Sections ◽

Pcr Targeting ◽

Sequence Types ◽

Multispacer Sequence Typing

Abstract Background Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of Q fever, a zoonosis affecting many animal species including sheep and goats. The aims of this study were to evaluate the shedding of Coxiella burnetii in small ruminant herds and to identify the pathogen’s genotypes and sequence types (STs) using multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and multispacer sequence typing (MST) methods. Results Overall, 165 samples from 43 herds of goats and 9 flocks of sheep were collected including bulk tank milk (BTM), individual milk samples, vaginal swabs, tissue sections from stillborn kids, feces and placentas. These were tested by real-time PCR targeting the IS1111 element. C. burnetii infection was confirmed in 51.16% of the herds of goats and 22.2% of the flocks of sheep. Six out of nine samples originating from goats were successfully genotyped using the MLVA method. The presence was confirmed of two widely distributed MLVA genotypes (I and J) and genotype PL1 previously reported only in cattle. Only one sequence type (ST61) was identified; however, the majority of specimens represented partial STs and some of them may belong to ST61. Other partial STs could possibly be ST74. Conclusion This study confirmed the relatively common occurrence of Coxiella burnetii in small ruminant herds in Poland. Interestingly, all genotyped samples represent cattle-associated MLVA genotypes.

Download Full-text

Risk factors for an infection with Coxiella burnetii in German sheep flocks

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268820002447 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 148 ◽

Author(s):

A. Wolf ◽

T. L. Prüfer ◽

C. Schoneberg ◽

A. Campe ◽

M. Runge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Q Fever ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Specific Gene ◽

Adult Males ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sheep Population ◽

Herd Level

Abstract In Germany, sheep are the main source of human Q fever epidemics, but data on Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) infections and related risk factors in the German sheep population remain scarce. In this cross-sectional study, a standardised interview was conducted across 71 exclusively sheep as well as mixed (sheep and goat) farms to identify animal and herd level risk factors associated with the detection of C. burnetii antibodies or pathogen-specific gene fragments via univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Serum samples and genital swabs from adult males and females of 3367 small ruminants from 71 farms were collected and analysed using ELISA and qPCR, respectively. On animal level, univariable analysis identified young animals (<2 years of age; odds ratio (OR) 0.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13–0.83) to reduce the risk for seropositivity significantly (p < 0.05). The final multivariable logistic models identified lambing all year-round (OR 3.46/3.65; 95% CI 0.80–15.06/0.41–32.06) and purchases of sheep and goats (OR 13.61/22.99; 95% CI 2.86–64.64/2.21–239.42) as risk factors on herd level for C. burnetii infection detected via ELISA and qPCR, respectively.

Download Full-text

Q-Fever Antibodies in Romanian Small Ruminants

Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.15835/buasvmcn-vm:006217 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 75 (1) ◽

pp. 99

Author(s):

Stelian BARAITAREANU ◽

Marius DAN ◽

Doina DANES

Keyword(s):

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Q Fever ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Sampling System ◽

Test Kit ◽

Positive Results

Small ruminants serum samples from Romanian Counties were investigated by iELISA Q-fever Coxiella burnetii Antibody test kit (IDEXX Laboratories, Liebefeld-Bern, Switzerland), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In Giurgiu County 10/15 goats serum samples were positive and all sheep samples (6/6) were negative. In Sibiu County 5/75 sheep samples were positive. In Constanta County all goat samples (10/10) were negative. In Braila County all goat samples (95/95) were negative and 10/55 sheep samples were positive. Prevalence of sero-positive results and their distribution does not provide enough data to design a surveillance program, but support the hypothesis of the presence of the pathogen in Braila, Giurgiu and Sibiu Counties. Further studies must be carry on statistically relevant sampling system.

Download Full-text

Coxiella Burnetii in Horses of Algeria: Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors

World s Veterinary Journal ◽

10.54203/scil.2020.wvj72 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 602-608

Author(s):

Samir Ansel ◽

Karima Benfodil ◽

Abdellah Mohamed Cherif ◽

Amine Abdelli ◽

Rachid Kaidi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Q Fever ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Water Source ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Prophylactic Measures

The Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii (an obligate intracellular bacterium). This pathogen affects humans, ruminants, equines, carnivores, rodents, and birds. A cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2017 to May 2018 to assess the seroprevalence and identify the risk factors of C. burnetii infection in horses (Equus Caballus) residing in three districts of Algerian, namely Tiaret, El-Bayadh, and Ghardaia. Serum samples collected from 182 horses were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Association of seropositivity with potential risk factors related to animals (e.g., age, gender, breed, housing, and presence of ticks), breeding characteristics (e.g., geographical localization, contact with animals), and environmental characteristics (i.e., presence of water source) was analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. An overall seroprevalence of 9.9% (18/182) was obtained. The univariate analysis of risk factors for C. burnetii seroprevalence demonstrated higher seropositivity in horses that had contact with small ruminants (p=0.004) and dromedaries (p=0.002) as well as in those living near a water source (p=0.036) and in El-Bayadh district (p=0.005). The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the risk of C. burnetii infection was significantly higher in horses that were in contact with small ruminants (RR: 15.6). Algeria is endemic for Q fever in horses and prophylactic measures must be taken to reduce /prevent its transmission to animals and humans.

Download Full-text

Coxiella burnetii infection in humans: to what extent do cattle in infected areas free from small ruminants play a role?

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268820001880 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 148 ◽

Author(s):

M. Pouquet ◽

N. Bareille ◽

R. Guatteo ◽

L. Moret ◽

F. Beaudeau

Keyword(s):

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Q Fever ◽

Adult Population ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Immunofluorescence Assay ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

General Adult Population

Abstract Domestic ruminants (cattle, goats and sheep) are considered to be the main reservoirs for human Coxiella burnetii infection. However, there is still a need to assess the specific contribution of cattle. Indeed, most seroprevalence studies in humans were carried out in areas comprising both cattle and small ruminants, the latter being systematically implicated in human Q fever outbreaks. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study in areas where C. burnetii infection in cattle was endemic, where the density of cattle and small ruminant farms were respectively high and very low. The aim was to estimate the seroprevalence rates among two occupational (cattle farmers and livestock veterinarians), and one non-occupational (general adult population) risk groups. Sera were collected in 176 cattle farmers, 45 veterinarians and 347 blood donors, and tested for phase I and II antibodies using immunofluorescence assay. Seroprevalence rates were 56.3% among cattle farmers, 88.9% among veterinarians and 12.7% among blood donors. This suggests that a specific risk for acquiring C. burnetii infection from cattle in endemically infected areas exists, mainly for occupational risk groups, but also for the general population. Further research is needed to identify risk factors for C. burnetii infection in humans in such areas.

Download Full-text

Serological Evidence of Human Infection with Coxiella burnetii after Occupational Exposure to Aborting Cattle

Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.3390/vetsci8090196 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 196

Author(s):

Ana Rabaza ◽

Federico Giannitti ◽

Martín Fraga ◽

Melissa Macías-Rioseco ◽

Luis G. Corbellini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Occupational Exposure ◽

Phase Ii ◽

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Q Fever ◽

Fluorescent Antibody ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Human Infection ◽

Diagnostic Laboratory ◽

Laboratory Workers ◽

Antibody Tests

Cattle are broadly deemed a source of Coxiella burnetii; however, evidence reinforcing their role in human infection is scarce. Most published human Q fever outbreaks relate to exposure to small ruminants, notably goats. Anti-phase II C. burnetii IgG and IgM were measured by indirect fluorescent antibody tests in 27 farm and veterinary diagnostic laboratory workers to ascertain whether occupational exposure to cattle aborting due to C. burnetii was the probable source of exposure. Four serological profiles were identified on the basis of anti-phase II IgG and IgM titres. Profile 1, characterised by high IgM levels and concurrent, lower IgG titres (3/27; 11.1%); Profile 2, with both isotypes with IgG titres higher than IgM (2/27; 7.4%); Profile 3 with only IgG phase II (5/27; 18.5%); and Profile 4, in which neither IgM nor IgG were detected (17/27; 63.0%). Profiles 1 and 2 are suggestive of recent C. burnetii exposure, most likely 2.5–4.5 months before testing and, hence, during the window of exposure to the bovine abortions. Profile 3 suggested C. burnetii exposure that most likely predated the window of exposure to aborting cattle, while Profile 4 represented seronegative individuals and, hence, likely uninfected. This study formally linked human Q fever to exposure to C. burnetii infected cattle as a specific occupational hazard for farm and laboratory workers handling bovine aborted material.

Download Full-text