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Seropositivity for Coxiella burnetii in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) and Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in Portugal. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030421. [PMID: 36986343 PMCID: PMC10057195 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever is caused by the pathogen Coxiella burnetii and is a zoonosis that naturally infects goats, sheep, and cats, but can also infect humans, birds, reptiles, or arthropods. A survey was conducted for the detection of antibodies against C. burnetii in a sample of 617 free-ranging wild ruminants, 358 wild boar (Sus scrofa) and 259 red deer (Cervus elaphus), in east–central Portugal during the 2016–2022 hunting seasons. Only adult animals were sampled in this study. Antibodies specific to C. burnetii were detected using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; IDVet®, Montpellier, France) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii infection was 1.5% (n = 9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7–2.8%). Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 4/358 wild boar (1.1%; 95% CI: CI: 0.3–2.8%) and 5/259 red deer (1.9%; 0.6–4.5%). Results of the present study indicate that antibodies against C. burnetii were present in wild boar and red deer in Portugal. These findings can help local health authorities to focus on the problem of C. burnetii in wildlife and facilitate the application of a One Health approach to its prevention and control.
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Ullah Q, Jamil T, Saqib M, Iqbal M, Neubauer H. Q Fever—A Neglected Zoonosis. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081530. [PMID: 36013948 PMCID: PMC9416428 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever remains a neglected zoonosis in many developing countries including Pakistan. The causing agent Coxiella (C.) burnetii is resistant to environmental factors (such as drying, heat and many disinfectants), resulting in a long-lasting infection risk for both human and animals. As the infection is usually asymptomatic, it mostly remains undiagnosed in animals until and unless adverse pregnancy outcomes occur in a herd. In humans, the infection leads to severe endocarditis and vascular infection in chronic cases. Limited data are available on molecular epidemiology and evolution of this pathogen, especially in ruminants. Genomic studies will help speculating outbreak relationships in this scenario. Likewise, pathogenesis of C. burnetii needs to be explored by molecular studies. Awareness programs and ensuring pasteurization of the dairy milk before human consumption would help preventing Q fever zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qudrat Ullah
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan 29111, Pakistan
- Correspondence: (Q.U.); (T.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Tariq Jamil
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 07743 Jena, Germany;
- Correspondence: (Q.U.); (T.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Muhammad Saqib
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
- Correspondence: (Q.U.); (T.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Mudassar Iqbal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan;
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 07743 Jena, Germany;
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Cruz R, Santos C, Esteves F, Ferreira AS, Vasconcelos-Nóbrega C, Mega C, Albuquerque C, Teixeira-de-Lemos E, Coelho AC, Vala H, Mesquita JR. Occupationally Acquired Q Fever in Shepherds and Sheep Milk Cheesemakers. ECOHEALTH 2020; 17:255-257. [PMID: 32651733 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-020-01483-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, and transmission to humans is often associated with contact with ovine and caprine livestock. Those exposed to sheep are particularly at high risk of infection. Recent studies show that Q fever is increasing in sheep farms in Portugal raising alerts on spillover to humans. We detected anti-C. burnetii IgG in shepherds and sheep milk cheesemakers (27 [28.1%] in a total of 96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 19.4-38.2%) and in controls (21 [8.1%] in a total of 260; 95% CI 5.1-12.1%), pointing to an increased risk of C. burnetii infection (P = 0.0001), with an odds ratio for anti-C. burnetii of 4.45 (95% CI 2.4-8.4%; P = 0.0001), in individuals with occupational contact with sheep in Portugal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Cruz
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Carla Santos
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Fernando Esteves
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Ferreira
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Oporto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Vasconcelos-Nóbrega
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Cristina Mega
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Carlos Albuquerque
- Health Superior School, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, UNICISA-E, CIEC, CI&DEI, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Edite Teixeira-de-Lemos
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Ana Cláudia Coelho
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Helena Vala
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - João Rodrigo Mesquita
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Cruz R, Esteves F, Vasconcelos-Nóbrega C, Santos C, Ferreira AS, Mega AC, Coelho AC, Vala H, Mesquita JR. Prospective Serosurvey of Coxiella burnetii Antibodies in Selected Sheep of Portugal. ECOHEALTH 2018; 15:871-874. [PMID: 30255415 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-018-1374-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii that is highly prevalent across the world. In this study, a prospective serosurvey was performed to study C. burnetii circulation in a population of sheep in the central region of Portugal. Blood from a representative sample of 168 animals was drawn in both 2015 and 2016, and sera were tested for IgG anti-C. burnetii by EIA. In 2015, 7.7% (13/168) animals tested positive for IgG anti-C. burnetii, while in 2016, 17.3% (29/168) tested positive, showing a statistically significant (P = 0.008) increase in anti-C. burnetii seroprevalence. Results support the notion that Q fever is emerging in central Portugal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Cruz
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Quinta da Alagoa, Estrada de Nelas, Ranhados, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Fernando Esteves
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Quinta da Alagoa, Estrada de Nelas, Ranhados, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Carmen Vasconcelos-Nóbrega
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Quinta da Alagoa, Estrada de Nelas, Ranhados, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Carla Santos
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Quinta da Alagoa, Estrada de Nelas, Ranhados, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Ferreira
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Oporto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Mega
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Quinta da Alagoa, Estrada de Nelas, Ranhados, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Ana Claudia Coelho
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Helena Vala
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Quinta da Alagoa, Estrada de Nelas, Ranhados, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - João Rodrigo Mesquita
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Quinta da Alagoa, Estrada de Nelas, Ranhados, 3500-606, Viseu, Portugal.
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
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Cruz R, Esteves F, Vasconcelos-Nóbrega C, Santos C, Ferreira AS, Mega C, Coelho AC, Vala H, Mesquita JR. Outbreaks of abortions by Coxiella burnetii in small ruminant flocks and a longitudinal serological approach on archived bulk tank milk suggest Q fever emergence in Central Portugal. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 65:972-975. [PMID: 29799172 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease caused by Coxiella burnetii and sheep and goats are known to be the main reservoir for human infection. This study describes the epidemiological and laboratory findings of C. burnetii outbreaks affecting sheep and goat flocks and also provides the results of a prospective serosurvey in bulk tank milk samples to assess C. burnetii circulation in a population of sheep living in close contact to the human population in Central Portugal. In the epizooties, C. burnetii was identified in tissues of the resulting abortions by qPCR. As for the serological survey, 10.2% (95%CI: 4.5-19.2) of the 78 bulk tank milk samples collected in 2015 presented IgG antibodies against C. burnetii. The same farms were visited and sampled in 2016 and 25.6% (95%CI: 16.4-36.8) were positive. This steep increase in the number of anti-C. burnetii farms between the 2015 and 2016 collections showed to be statistically significant (p = 0.020) and is strongly suggestive of Q fever emergence in Central Portugal. Measures on animal health and on disease spread control to the human population should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Cruz
- Agrarian Superior School, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Fernando Esteves
- Agrarian Superior School, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
| | | | - Carla Santos
- Agrarian Superior School, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Ana S Ferreira
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Oporto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Mega
- Agrarian Superior School, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Ana C Coelho
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Helena Vala
- Agrarian Superior School, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Viseu, Portugal.,Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - João R Mesquita
- Agrarian Superior School, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Viseu, Portugal.,Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Pradeep J, Stephen S, Ambroise S, Gunasekaran D. Diagnosis of Acute Q Fever by Detection of Coxiella burnetii DNA using Real-Time PCR, Employing a Commercial Genesig Easy Kit. J Clin Diagn Res 2017; 11:DC10-DC13. [PMID: 29207703 PMCID: PMC5713725 DOI: 10.7860/jcdr/2017/31005.10606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Query (Q) fever is an important zoonosis and a cause of concern for humans, due to the potential bioterrorism threat posed by the causative agent, Coxiella burnetii. Because of the danger of contracting the illness, isolation attempts are seldom made. Serological and molecular diagnostic tests are the main option. AIM To study the prevalence of acute Q fever in Puducherry and surrounding districts of Tamil Nadu, India, employing a new commercial Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) kit and confirming it by the gold standard Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Acute phase blood samples from 72 consecutive febrile patients and 24 healthy individuals were included in this prospective study. DNA was extracted from the buffy coats and preserved at -80°C. Detection of C. burnetii was carried out employing a commercial Real-Time PCR kit. Serum samples were tested for IgM (Phase I+II) and IgG (Phase I+II) by QM-120 and QG-120, Coxiella burnetii IFA Fuller Laboratories, California, USA. Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) were calculated keeping IFA as the reference. RESULTS Presumptive diagnosis of acute Q fever was made in two febrile patients by the Genesig Easy kit (2.78%). In addition to these two PCR positive cases, one more patient was positive for both Phase II IgM and Phase II IgG antibodies by the gold standard IFA. All 24 healthy controls were negative for Q fever by both PCR and IFA. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV for Genesig Easy kit PCR were: 66.67%, 100%, 100% and 98.57 % respectively against IFA as the reference. CONCLUSION The true prevalence of Q fever in India and other developing countries is poorly understood, owing to the difficulties in the diagnosis of this infection. Since molecular diagnostic tests have good specificity and are mandated for confirmation of single acute samples, validation of commercial Q fever PCR kits is the need of the hour. Genesig Easy kit in our hands was found to be reliable with the moderate sensitivity and high specificity. Performing both PCR (with acute specimens) and IFA (with paired sera) would be ideal for Q fever diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jothimani Pradeep
- Ph.D Scholar, Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, SBV University, Pillaiyarkuppam, Puducherry, India
| | - Selvaraj Stephen
- Professor, Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, SBV University, Pillaiyarkuppam, Puducherry, India
| | - Stanley Ambroise
- Specialist Grade I, Department of General Medicine, Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Post Graduate Institute, Puducherry, India
| | - Dhandapany Gunasekaran
- Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, SBV University, Pillaiyarkuppam, Puducherry, India
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