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Bauer BU, Peters M, Herms TL, Runge M, Wohlsein P, Jensen TK, Ganter M. Detection of Coxiella burnetii in the mammary gland of a dairy goat. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:1341-1352. [PMID: 38236458 PMCID: PMC11147866 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10233-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The zoonotic bacterium Coxiella (C.) burnetii can be excreted by infected goats through birth products and milk. The detection of C. burnetii DNA in the mammary gland tissue of infected dairy goats and intermittent milk shedders has been reported, but confirmation of C. burnetii bacteria in the udder remained pending. The pathogen caused abortions in a 152-head dairy goat herd, resulting in the vaccination against C. burnetii of the entire herd with annual boosters. To monitor the C. burnetii shedding at herd level, monthly bulk tank milk (BTM) samples were analyzed using PCR (IS1111). Despite vaccination, C. burnetii DNA was detected in BTM samples within the first 16 months of the study. Therefore, individual milk samples were tested on four different occasions several months apart to identify potential intermittent milk shedders. Only one goat (#67455) tested positive three times. This goat was necropsied to investigate the presence of C. burnetii in the udder and other organs. PCR detected C. burnetii DNA solely in both mammary glands and the left teat cistern. Immunohistological examination identified C. burnetii antigen in mammary gland tissue, confirmed by the detection of C. burnetii bacteria in the mammary epithelial cells using fluorescence in situ hybridization. The removal of goat #67455 led to negative BTM samples until the end of the study. The findings demonstrate the occurrence of C. burnetii in the mammary gland of a naturally infected and vaccinated goat. The presence possibly contributed to intermittent milk shedding of goat #67455, and the mammary gland tissue may serve as a replicative niche for C. burnetii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Ulrich Bauer
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Bischofsholer Damm 15, Hannover, 30173, Germany.
| | - Martin Peters
- Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Westfalen, Zur Taubeneiche 10-12, Arnsberg, 59821, Germany
| | - T Louise Herms
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Eintrachtweg 17, Hannover, 30173, Germany
| | - Martin Runge
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Eintrachtweg 17, Hannover, 30173, Germany
| | - Peter Wohlsein
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, Hannover, 30559, Germany
| | - Tim K Jensen
- Center for Diagnostic, Technical University of Denmark, Henrik Dams Allé, Kongens Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 15, Frederiksberg C, 1870, Denmark
| | - Martin Ganter
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Bischofsholer Damm 15, Hannover, 30173, Germany
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Miller HK, Branan M, Priestley RA, Álvarez-Alonso R, Cherry C, Smith C, Urie NJ, Wiedenheft A, Bliss C, Marshall K, Kersh GJ. Coxiella burnetii in domestic doe goats in the United States, 2019-2020. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1393296. [PMID: 38774910 PMCID: PMC11107086 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1393296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a bacterial pathogen capable of causing serious disease in humans and abortions in goats. Infected goats can shed C. burnetii through urine, feces, and parturient byproducts, which can lead to infections in humans when the bacteria are inhaled. Goats are important C. burnetii reservoirs as evidenced by goat-related outbreaks across the world. To better understand the current landscape of C. burnetii infection in the domestic goat population, 4,121 vaginal swabs from 388 operations across the United States were analyzed for the presence of C. burnetii by IS1111 PCR as part of the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services' National Animal Health Monitoring System Goats 2019 Study. In total, 1.5% (61/4121) of swabs representing 10.3% (40/388) (weighted estimate of 7.8, 95% CI 4.4-13.5) of operations were positive for C. burnetii DNA. The quantity of C. burnetii on positive swabs was low with an average Ct of 37.9. Factors associated with greater odds of testing positive included suspected Q fever in the herd in the previous 3 years, the presence of wild deer or elk on the operation, and the utilization of hormones for estrus synchronization. Factors associated with reduced odds of testing positive include the presence of kittens and treatment of herds with high tannin concentrate plants, diatomaceous earth, and tetrahydropyrimidines. In vitro analysis demonstrated an inhibitory effect of the tetrahydropyrimidine, pyrantel pamoate, on the growth of C. burnetii in axenic media as low as 1 μg per mL. The final multivariable logistic regression modeling identified the presence of wild predators on the operation or adjacent property (OR = 9.0, 95% CI 1.3-61.6, p value = 0.0248) as a risk factor for C. burnetii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halie K. Miller
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Matthew Branan
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, National Animal Health Monitoring System, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Rachael A. Priestley
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Raquel Álvarez-Alonso
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Derio, Spain
| | - Cara Cherry
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Cody Smith
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Natalie J. Urie
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, National Animal Health Monitoring System, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Alyson Wiedenheft
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, National Animal Health Monitoring System, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Clayton Bliss
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, National Animal Health Monitoring System, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Katherine Marshall
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, National Animal Health Monitoring System, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Gilbert J. Kersh
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Zendoia II, Barandika JF, Cevidanes A, Hurtado A, García-Pérez AL. Coxiella burnetii infection persistence in a goat herd during seven kidding seasons after an outbreak of abortions: the effect of vaccination. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0220123. [PMID: 38412030 PMCID: PMC10952520 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02201-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii infection was monitored during seven kidding seasons (2017-2023) in a dairy goat herd that after an outbreak of Q fever abortions was vaccinated with an inactivated phase I vaccine. Due to the high infection rate just after the outbreak, only the replacement stock was vaccinated during the first three kidding seasons, and when the average herd immunity had decreased (fourth kidding season onwards), the whole herd was vaccinated. Vaginal swabs, feces, and milk were analyzed by PCR to monitor infection, and dust and aerosols were analyzed to measure C. burnetii environmental contamination. One year after the onset of the outbreak, a significant reduction in C. burnetii shedding loads was observed, but the percentage of shedding animals remained high until the third kidding season. By the seventh kidding season, no shedders were detected. The bacterial load excreted was significantly lower in vaccinated compared with unvaccinated animals, and in yearlings compared with multiparous. C. burnetii was detected by PCR in aerosols collected inside the animal premises throughout the study period except in the last season; whereas, aerosols collected outdoors tested negative in the last three kidding seasons. Viable C. burnetii was detectable in environmental dust collected inside the barn until the third kidding season following the outbreak. These results indicate that after an outbreak of Q fever, the risk of infection for humans and susceptible animals can remain high for at least three kidding seasons when the number of C. burnetii animal shedders is still high, even when bacterial excretion is low. IMPORTANCE Q fever is a zoonosis distributed worldwide. Ruminants are the main reservoir, and infection can cause high rates of abortion. After entering a farm, Coxiella burnetii infection can persist in the animal population over several lambing/kidding periods. Once infection is established in a herd, vaccination with the inactivated Phase I vaccine significantly reduces bacterial shedding, but although at low levels, excretion may continue to occur for several lambing/kidding seasons. The time that C. burnetii remains viable in the farm environment after an outbreak of Q fever determines the period when risk of infection is high for the people in close contact. This work showed that this period extends at least three kidding seasons after the outbreak. These results provided valuable information on the epidemiology of C. burnetii infection in goat herds and may help to develop guidelines for controlling the disease and reducing infection risk for susceptible people and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ion I. Zendoia
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jesús F. Barandika
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Aitor Cevidanes
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Ana Hurtado
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Ana L. García-Pérez
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
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Ullah S, Huang JS, Khan A, Cossío-Bayúgar R, Nasreen N, Niaz S, Khan A, Yen TY, Tsai KH, Ben Said M. First report of Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Rickettsia spp. in Amblyomma gervaisi ticks infesting monitor lizards (Varanus begalensis) of Pakistan. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 118:105569. [PMID: 38354994 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Ticks pose significant health risks to both wildlife and humans due to their role as vectors for various pathogens. In this study, we investigated tick infestation patterns, tick-associated pathogens, and genetic relationships within the tick species Amblyomma gervaisi, focusing on its prevalence in monitor lizards (Varanus bengalensis) across different districts in Pakistan. We examined 85 monitor lizards and identified an overall mean intensity of 19.59 ticks per infested lizard and an overall mean abundance of 11.98 ticks per examined lizard. All collected ticks (n = 1019) were morphologically identified as A. gervaisi, including 387 males, 258 females, 353 nymphs, and 21 larvae. The highest tick prevalence was observed in the Buner district, followed by Torghar and Shangla, with the lowest prevalence in Chitral. Lizard captures primarily occurred from May to October, correlating with the period of higher tick infestations. Molecular analysis was conducted on tick DNA, revealing genetic similarities among A. gervaisi ticks based on 16S rDNA and ITS2 sequences. Notably, we found the absence of A. gervaisi ITS2 sequences in the NCBI GenBank, highlighting a gap in existing genetic data. Moreover, our study identified the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, including Ehrlichia sp., Candidatus Ehrlichia dumleri, Anaplasma sp., Francisella sp., Rickettsia sp., and Coxiella sp., in these ticks. BLAST analysis revealed significant similarities between these pathogenic sequences and known strains, emphasizing the potential role of these ticks as vectors for zoonotic diseases. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS2 and mitochondrial 16S rDNA genes illustrated the genetic relationships of A. gervaisi ticks from Pakistan with other Amblyomma species, providing insights into their evolutionary history. These findings contribute to our understanding of tick infestation patterns, and tick-borne pathogens in monitor lizards, which has implications for wildlife health, zoonotic disease transmission, and future conservation efforts. Further research in this area is crucial for a comprehensive assessment of the risks associated with tick-borne diseases in both wildlife and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Jing-Syuan Huang
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Afshan Khan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Raquel Cossío-Bayúgar
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal eInocuidad, INIFAP, Km 11 Carretera Federal Cuernavaca- Cuautla, No. 8534, Col. Progreso, CP 62550 Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Nasreen Nasreen
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Sadaf Niaz
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Adil Khan
- Department of Zoology, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda 24420, Pakistan.
| | - Tsai-Ying Yen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Hsien Tsai
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Global Health Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Laboratory of Microbiology, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia; Department of Basic Sciences, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia
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Mazwi KD, Kolo FB, Jaja IF, Bokaba RP, Ngoshe YB, Hassim A, Neves L, van Heerden H. Serological Evidence and Coexposure of Selected Infections among Livestock Slaughtered at Eastern Cape Abattoirs in South Africa. Int J Microbiol 2023; 2023:8906971. [PMID: 38077996 PMCID: PMC10708957 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8906971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic infections were investigated in a cross-sectional study on asymptomatic livestock slaughtered in abattoirs in the Eastern Cape. Antibodies against Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Toxoplasma gondii, and the coexposure were investigated in sera using serological tests. A total of 565 animals comprising of 280 cattle, 200 sheep, and 85 pigs were screened using RBT, iELISA, CFT, and AMOS-PCR. The Mast® Toxoreagent test and iELISA were used for the detection of T. gondii and C. burnetii, respectively. The Brucella positivity based on at least two tests was 4.3% (12/280), 1.0% (2/200), and 0.0% (0/85) in cattle, sheep, and pigs, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity of 37.90% (106/280), 1.50% (3/200), and 7.10% (6/85) was observed in cattle, sheep, and pigs, respectively. Coxiella burnetii seropositivity of 26.40% (74/280), 15.00% (30/200), and 2.40% (2/85) was observed in cattle, sheep, and pigs, respectively. Coexposure was detected in cattle for positivity against C. burnetii and T. gondii 40.54%, Brucella spp. and T. gondii 1.35%, and Brucella spp. and C. burnetii 4.05%. Coexposure for Brucella spp., C. burnetii, and T. gondii 4.05% was detected in cattle. Coexposure of Brucella spp. and C. burnetii 6.67% was detected in sheep. The AMOS-PCR identified B. abortus in cattle and a mixed infection of B. abortus and B. melitensis in sheep in 64.71% seropositive samples. To our knowledge, the coexposure of Brucella spp., T. gondii, and C. burnetii in cattle has not been reported. Coexposure of Brucella spp. and C. burnetii in cattle and sheep is significant as it results in reproductive losses and constitutes an infectious risk to humans. The detection of antibodies against multiple zoonotic infections in livestock from abattoirs has implications for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. D. Mazwi
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - F. B. Kolo
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - I. F. Jaja
- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Roodepoort, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - R. P. Bokaba
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Y. B. Ngoshe
- Epidemiology Section, Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - A. Hassim
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - L. Neves
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - H. van Heerden
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa
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Bach E, Fitzgerald SF, Williams-MacDonald SE, Mitchell M, Golde WT, Longbottom D, Nisbet AJ, Dinkla A, Sullivan E, Pinapati RS, Tan JC, Joosten LAB, Roest HJ, Østerbye T, Koets AP, Buus S, McNeilly TN. Genome-wide epitope mapping across multiple host species reveals significant diversity in antibody responses to Coxiella burnetii vaccination and infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1257722. [PMID: 37954609 PMCID: PMC10637584 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1257722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an important zoonotic bacterial pathogen of global importance, causing the disease Q fever in a wide range of animal hosts. Ruminant livestock, in particular sheep and goats, are considered the main reservoir of human infection. Vaccination is a key control measure, and two commercial vaccines based on formalin-inactivated C. burnetii bacterins are currently available for use in livestock and humans. However, their deployment is limited due to significant reactogenicity in individuals previously sensitized to C. burnetii antigens. Furthermore, these vaccines interfere with available serodiagnostic tests which are also based on C. burnetii bacterin antigens. Defined subunit antigen vaccines offer significant advantages, as they can be engineered to reduce reactogenicity and co-designed with serodiagnostic tests to allow discrimination between vaccinated and infected individuals. This study aimed to investigate the diversity of antibody responses to C. burnetii vaccination and/or infection in cattle, goats, humans, and sheep through genome-wide linear epitope mapping to identify candidate vaccine and diagnostic antigens within the predicted bacterial proteome. Using high-density peptide microarrays, we analyzed the seroreactivity in 156 serum samples from vaccinated and infected individuals to peptides derived from 2,092 open-reading frames in the C. burnetii genome. We found significant diversity in the antibody responses within and between species and across different types of C. burnetii exposure. Through the implementation of three different vaccine candidate selection methods, we identified 493 candidate protein antigens for protein subunit vaccine design or serodiagnostic evaluation, of which 65 have been previously described. This is the first study to investigate multi-species seroreactivity against the entire C. burnetii proteome presented as overlapping linear peptides and provides the basis for the selection of antigen targets for next-generation Q fever vaccines and diagnostic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Bach
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Annemieke Dinkla
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostic Development, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Eric Sullivan
- Nimble Therapeutics, Inc., Madison, WI, United States
| | | | - John C. Tan
- Nimble Therapeutics, Inc., Madison, WI, United States
| | - Leo A. B. Joosten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Hendrik-Jan Roest
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostic Development, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
- Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Den Haag, Netherlands
- Department of Infection and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Thomas Østerbye
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ad P. Koets
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostic Development, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Søren Buus
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Trachsel C, Hirsbrunner G, Herms TL, Runge M, Kiene F, Ganter M, Zanolari P, Bauer BU. Two Years after Coxiella burnetii Detection: Pathogen Shedding and Phase-Specific Antibody Response in Three Dairy Goat Herds. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3048. [PMID: 37835654 PMCID: PMC10571745 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The infection dynamics of Coxiella (C.) burnetii were investigated in three dairy goat herds (A, B, and C) 2 years after the first pathogen detection. A total of 28 and 29 goats from herds A and B, and 35 goats from herd C, were examined. Sera were analyzed on three sampling dates using phase-specific serology. Pathogen shedding was assessed using post-partum vaginal swabs and monthly bulk tank milk (BTM) samples. Dust samples from a barn and milking parlor were also collected monthly. These samples were analyzed with PCR (target IS1111). In herd A, individual animals tested seropositive, while vaginal swabs, BTM, and most dust samples tested negative. Herds B and C exhibited high IgG phase I activity, indicating a past infection. In herd B, approximately two-thirds of the goats shed C. burnetii with vaginal mucus, and irregular positive results were obtained from BTM. Herd C had two positive goats based on vaginal swabs, and BTM tested positive once. Dust samples from herds B and C contained C. burnetii DNA, with higher quantities typically found in samples from the milking parlor. This study highlights the different infection dynamics in three unvaccinated dairy goat herds and the potential use of dust samples as a supportive tool to detect C. burnetii at the herd level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christa Trachsel
- Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (C.T.); (G.H.)
| | - Gaby Hirsbrunner
- Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (C.T.); (G.H.)
| | - T. Louise Herms
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Eintrachtweg 17, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (T.L.H.); (M.R.)
| | - Martin Runge
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Eintrachtweg 17, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (T.L.H.); (M.R.)
| | - Frederik Kiene
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (F.K.); (M.G.); (B.U.B.)
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (F.K.); (M.G.); (B.U.B.)
| | - Patrik Zanolari
- Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (C.T.); (G.H.)
| | - Benjamin U. Bauer
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (F.K.); (M.G.); (B.U.B.)
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8
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Hurtado A, Zendoia II, Alonso E, Beraza X, Bidaurrazaga J, Ocabo B, Arrazola I, Cevidanes A, Barandika JF, García-Pérez AL. A Q fever outbreak among visitors to a natural cave, Bizkaia, Spain, December 2020 to October 2021. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2200824. [PMID: 37440349 PMCID: PMC10347893 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.28.2200824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe a large Q fever outbreak reported in Spain, including 108 cases, 53 with pneumonia and 27 requiring hospitalisations. The first cases were detected in February 2021 among rock climbers visiting a cave in Bizkaia, and the last case was detected in October 2021. Most cases were notified after the Easter holiday (April-May 2021). More males (63.9%) than females (36.1%) were infected (median ages: 42 (1-68) and 39 years (6-61), respectively). We detected Coxiella burnetii by PCR in faecal, dust and/or aerosol samples taken inside the cave in March 2021, and in dust and aerosol samples collected between March 2021 and February 2023. Coxiella burnetii from dust samples were cultured on Vero cells, showing viability for 24 months. Based on serological and genotyping data, goats sheltering in the cave were the most likely source of infection. The cave was closed on 29 April 2021, movements of goats and sheep in the area were restricted (March-July 2021), and the animals were vaccinated in October 2021. Investigation of Q fever outbreaks requires a multidisciplinary One Health approach as these outbreaks can occur in unexpected places like natural sites where animals are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Hurtado
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- These authors contributed equally to the work and share first authorship
| | - Ion I Zendoia
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- These authors contributed equally to the work and share first authorship
| | - Eva Alonso
- Departamento de Salud del Gobierno Vasco, Subdirección de Salud Pública de Bizkaia, Servicio de Epidemiologia, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Xabier Beraza
- Departamento de Salud del Gobierno Vasco, Subdirección de Salud Pública de Bizkaia, Servicio de Epidemiologia, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Joseba Bidaurrazaga
- Departamento de Salud del Gobierno Vasco, Subdirección de Salud Pública de Bizkaia, Servicio de Epidemiologia, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Blanca Ocabo
- Servicio de Ganadería, Departamento de Agricultura, Diputación Foral de Bizkaia, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Iñaki Arrazola
- Servicio de Ganadería, Departamento de Agricultura, Diputación Foral de Bizkaia, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Aitor Cevidanes
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jesús F Barandika
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Ana L García-Pérez
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
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9
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Addo SO, Bentil RE, Baako BOA, Yartey KN, Behene E, Asiamah B, Nyarko AA, Asoala V, Sallam M, Mate S, Dunford JC, Larbi JA, Baidoo PK, Wilson MD, Diclaro Ii JW, Dadzie SK. Occurrence of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in ixodid ticks in Kassena-Nankana, Ghana. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2023:10.1007/s10493-023-00808-0. [PMID: 37322233 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00808-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are arthropods of veterinary and medical importance which spread zoonotic pathogens that link animal and human health. In this study, ticks were collected from 448 livestock between February and December 2020 in the Kassena-Nankana Districts of Ghana and screened for the presence of zoonotic pathogens DNA using PCR and sequencing approaches. In total, 1550 ticks were collected and morphologically identified. Three tick genera were identified with Amblyomma variegatum (63%) as the predominant tick species collected. DNA was extracted from 491 tick pools and screened for the presence of DNA of Rickettsia spp. based on the 115 bp fragment of the 17 kDa surface protein and 639 bp of the Outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene and the 295 bp fragment of the transposase gene of Coxiella burnetii IS1111a element. From the 491 pools screened, the DNA of Rickettsia spp. and C. burnetii was detected in 56.8 and 3.7%, respectively. Coinfections were identified in 2.4% of the tick pools. Characterization of the Rickettsia spp. in this study based on the ompA gene showed that the DNA of Rickettsia africae and Rickettsia aeschlimannii accounted for 39.7 and 14.7%, respectively, and were 100% similar to sequences in GenBank. Most R. africae and C. burnetii infections occurred in ticks collected in the wet season, whereas R. aeschlimannii occurred mostly in the dry season. These pathogens are potential public health threats, thus there is a need to implement control measures to reduce the risk of infections in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Offei Addo
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, College of Science, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Ronald Essah Bentil
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Kevin Nii Yartey
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Eric Behene
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Benjamin Asiamah
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Abena Akyeamaa Nyarko
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Victor Asoala
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Upper East Region, Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Mohamed Sallam
- Public Health and Biostatistics Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Suzanne Mate
- U.S. Army Emerging Infectious Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - James C Dunford
- Navy Entomology Center of Excellence, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John Asiedu Larbi
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, College of Science, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Philip Kweku Baidoo
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, College of Science, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Michael David Wilson
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph W Diclaro Ii
- Navy Entomology Center of Excellence, Center for Disease Control and Prevention Detachment, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Samuel K Dadzie
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
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10
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Williams-Macdonald SE, Mitchell M, Frew D, Palarea-Albaladejo J, Ewing D, Golde WT, Longbottom D, Nisbet AJ, Livingstone M, Hamilton CM, Fitzgerald SF, Buus S, Bach E, Dinkla A, Roest HJ, Koets AP, McNeilly TN. Efficacy of Phase I and Phase II Coxiella burnetii Bacterin Vaccines in a Pregnant Ewe Challenge Model. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030511. [PMID: 36992095 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Coxiella burnetii can cause the disease Q-fever in a wide range of animal hosts. Ruminants, including sheep, are thought to play a pivotal role in the transmission of C. burnetii to humans; however, the only existing livestock vaccine, namely, Coxevac® (Ceva Animal Health Ltd., Libourne, France), a killed bacterin vaccine based on phase I C. burnetii strain Nine-Mile, is only approved for use in goats and cattle. In this study, a pregnant ewe challenge model was used to determine the protective effects of Coxevac® and an experimental bacterin vaccine based on phase II C. burnetii against C. burnetii challenge. Prior to mating, ewes (n = 20 per group) were vaccinated subcutaneously with either Coxevac®, the phase II vaccine, or were unvaccinated. A subset of pregnant ewes (n = 6) from each group was then challenged 151 days later (~100 days of gestation) with 106 infectious mouse doses of C. burnetii, Nine-Mile strain RSA493. Both vaccines provided protection against C. burnetii challenge as measured by reductions in bacterial shedding in faeces, milk and vaginal mucus, and reduced abnormal pregnancies, compared to unvaccinated controls. This work highlights that the phase I vaccine Coxevac® can protect ewes against C. burnetii infection. Furthermore, the phase II vaccine provided comparable levels of protection and may offer a safer and cost-effective alternative to the currently licensed vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mairi Mitchell
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - David Frew
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Javier Palarea-Albaladejo
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, JCMB, The King's Buildings, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, UK
| | - David Ewing
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, JCMB, The King's Buildings, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, UK
| | - William T Golde
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - David Longbottom
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Alasdair J Nisbet
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Morag Livingstone
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Clare M Hamilton
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Stephen F Fitzgerald
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Søren Buus
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emil Bach
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Annemieke Dinkla
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostics, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik-Jan Roest
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostics, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Ad P Koets
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostics, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tom N McNeilly
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
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11
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Tomljenovic M, Lakošeljac D, Knežević L, Bubonja-Šonje M, Abram M, Špičić S, Zdelar-Tuk M, Duvnjak S, Reil I, Valjin O, Kramarić M, Miškić T, Janković IL, Rončević D. Coxiella burnetii (Q-fever) outbreak associated with non-occupational exposure in a semi-urban area of western Croatia in 2022. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 70:285-293. [PMID: 36582027 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In March 2022, an outbreak of Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) with non-occupational exposure was confirmed in a semi-urban area in Čavle, Croatia. Veterinary and human epidemiological investigations were conducted to identify the source of the outbreak and to implement appropriate control measures. Three farms were settled next to each other near the homes of the first human cases at the end of the street. The closest farm was less than 500 meters away. These farms contained 161 adult sheep and goats. Among the animal samples analysed, all 16 goats (100%) and 24/50 sheep (48%) tested positive for C. burnetii IgM/IgG antibodies, phase I and II. One out of five sheeps' vaginal swabs were C. burnetti DNA positive. Human testing revealed 20 confirmed and three probable cases (9/23 pneumonia, 2/23 hepatitis, 21/23 fever), with three hospitalizations, and one death. Twenty-seven cases were discarded following negative laboratory results. The epidemiological investigation revealed airborne transmission as the most likely route of transmission. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate risk factors for Q fever infection. Persons who were near the farms (≤750 m) (OR 4.5; 95% CI = 1.1-18.3) and lived in the nearest street to the farms had the highest risk of contracting Q fever (OR 3.7; 95% CI = 1.1-13.6). Decreased rainfall compared to monthly averages was recorded in the months prior to the outbreak with several days of strong wind in January preceding the outbreak. This was the largest Q fever outbreak in the county in the last 16 years, which was unexpected due to its location and non-occupational exposure. To stop the outbreak, numerous intensive biosecurity measures were implemented. The outbreak highlights the importance of urban development strategies to limit the number of animal housing near residential areas while providing regular biosecurity measures to prevent infections in livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morana Tomljenovic
- Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia.,Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Danijela Lakošeljac
- Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Rijeka, Croatia.,Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Lucija Knežević
- Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Marina Bubonja-Šonje
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.,Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Maja Abram
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.,Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Silvio Špičić
- Department of Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Zdelar-Tuk
- Department of Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sanja Duvnjak
- Department of Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Irena Reil
- Department of Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Orea Valjin
- State Inspectorate of Republic of Croatia, Regional office Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Melanija Kramarić
- State Inspectorate of Republic of Croatia, Regional office Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Tihana Miškić
- Ministry of Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Dobrica Rončević
- Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Rijeka, Croatia.,Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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12
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Coxiella burnetii and Co-Infections with Other Major Pathogens Causing Abortion in Small Ruminant Flocks in the Iberian Peninsula. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243454. [PMID: 36552374 PMCID: PMC9774532 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular bacterium causing human Q fever and reproductive disorders in domestic ruminants. We analyzed the occurrence of C. burnetii and co-infections with six other major pathogens causing abortion in sheep (1242 cases) and goat (371 cases) flocks from Spain and Portugal. After real-time PCR detection, co-infections were established by principal component and cluster analysis that grouped cases based on the joint presence/absence of several microorganisms. C. burnetii and Chlamydia abortus were the most common abortifacient agents with approximately 75% of cases from both hosts testing positive, followed by Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter sp., Salmonella enterica, border disease virus and Neospora caninum. C. burnetii was significantly more common than C. abortus in goat abortions (p < 0.001). Co-infections with at least two pathogens were found in more than 66% cases of ovine abortions and 36% cases of caprine abortions testing positive for C. burnetii, mostly including mixed infections with only C. abortus. These findings indicate that both pathogens are the most significant ones to be readily prevented by vaccination in this geographical area. Biosecurity and biocontainment measures are also steadfastly recommended to prevent both the economic losses and public health risks associated with most of these abortifacient agents.
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13
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Anastácio S, de Sousa SR, Saavedra MJ, da Silva GJ. Role of Goats in the Epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11121703. [PMID: 36552213 PMCID: PMC9774940 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Since its first description in the late 1930s, Q fever has raised many questions. Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent, is a zoonotic pathogen affecting a wide range of hosts. This airborne organism leads to an obligate, intracellular lifecycle, during which it multiplies in the mononuclear cells of the immune system and in the trophoblasts of the placenta in pregnant females. Although some issues about C. burnetii and its pathogenesis in animals remain unclear, over the years, some experimental studies on Q fever have been conducted in goats given their excretion pattern. Goats play an important role in the epidemiology and economics of C. burnetii infections, also being the focus of several epidemiological studies. Additionally, variants of the agent implicated in human long-term disease have been found circulating in goats. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest research on C. burnetii infection and the role played by goats in the transmission of the infection to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Anastácio
- Vasco da Gama Research Centre (CIVG), Department of Veterinary Sciences, Vasco da Gama University School, Avenida José R. Sousa Fernandes 197 Lordemão, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center of Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Health Science Campus, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Sérgio Ramalho de Sousa
- Vasco da Gama Research Centre (CIVG), Department of Veterinary Sciences, Vasco da Gama University School, Avenida José R. Sousa Fernandes 197 Lordemão, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria José Saavedra
- Laboratory Medical Microbiology—Antimicrobials, Biocides and Biofilms Unit, Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences and Inov4Agro—Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Gabriela Jorge da Silva
- Center of Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Health Science Campus, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
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14
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Performance Evaluation and Validation of Air Samplers To Detect Aerosolized Coxiella burnetii. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0065522. [PMID: 36073825 PMCID: PMC9602806 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00655-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of Q fever, is an intracellular zoonotic pathogen transmitted via the respiratory route. Once released from infected animals, C. burnetii can travel long distances through air before infecting another host. As such, the ability to detect the presence of C. burnetii in air is important. In this study, three air samplers, AirPort MD8, BioSampler, and the Coriolis Micro, were assessed against a set of predetermined criteria in the presence of three different aerosolized C. burnetii concentrations. Two liquid collection media, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and alkaline polyethylene glycol (Alk PEG), were tested with devices requiring a collection liquid. Samples were tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay (qPCR) targeting the single-copy com1 gene or multicopy insertion element IS1111. All air samplers performed well at detecting airborne C. burnetii across the range of concentrations tested. At high nebulized concentrations, AirPort MD8 showed higher, but variable, recovery probabilities. While the BioSampler and Coriolis Micro recovered C. burnetii at lower concentrations, the replicates were far more repeatable. At low and intermediate nebulized concentrations, results were comparable in the trials between air samplers, although the AirPort MD8 had consistently higher recovery probabilities. In this first study validating air samplers for their ability to detect aerosolized C. burnetii, we found that while all samplers performed well, not all samplers were equal. It is important that these results are further validated under field conditions. These findings will further inform efforts to detect airborne C. burnetii around known point sources of infection. IMPORTANCE Coxiella burnetii causes Q fever in humans and coxiellosis in animals. It is important to know if C. burnetii is present in the air around putative sources as it is transmitted via inhalation. This study assessed air samplers (AirPort MD8, BioSampler, and Coriolis Micro) for their efficacy in detecting C. burnetii. Our results show that all three devices could detect aerosolized bacteria effectively; however, at high concentrations the AirPort performed better than the other two devices, showing higher percent recovery. At intermediate and low concentrations AirPort detected at a level higher than or similar to that of other samplers. Quantification of samples was hindered by the limit of quantitation of the qPCR assay. Compared with the other two devices, the AirPort was easier to handle and clean in the field. Testing air around likely sources (e.g., farms, abattoirs, and livestock saleyards) using validated sampling devices will help better estimate the risk of Q fever to nearby communities.
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15
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Bauer BU, Herms TL, Runge M, Ganter M. A Q fever outbreak on a dairy goat farm did not result in Coxiella burnetii shedding on neighboring sheep farms – An observational study. Small Rumin Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2022.106778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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16
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Cabrera R, Mendoza W, López-Mosquera L, Cano MA, Ortiz N, Campo V, Keynan Y, López L, Rueda ZV, Gutiérrez LA. Tick-Borne-Agents Detection in Patients with Acute Febrile Syndrome and Ticks from Magdalena Medio, Colombia. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101090. [PMID: 36297148 PMCID: PMC9611641 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute febrile illness (AFI) is a morbid condition with a sudden onset of fever with at least seven days of evolution, where no signs or symptoms related to an apparent infection have been identified. In Latin America, a high proportion of disease is typically due to malaria and arboviruses. However, among the infectious etiologies, tick-borne diseases (TBDs) should also be considered, especially in areas where people come into direct contact with these arthropods. This study aims to describe the etiology and epidemiology related to tick-borne agents in patients with AFI and the tick’s natural infection by agents of TBD in the rural tropical Magdalena Medio region in Colombia, and explore the factors associated with the presence of Coxiella burnetii infection. We conduct a cohort study enrolling 271 patients with AFI to detect the bacteria of the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Coxiella, Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Francisella through molecular techniques, and additionally evaluate the presence of IgG antibodies with commercially available kits. We also conduct tick collection in the patient’s households or workplaces for the molecular screening of the same bacterial genera. Seropositivity to IgG antibodies was obtained for all the bacteria analyzed, with Francisella being the most common at 39.5% (107/271), followed by R. rickettsii at 31.4% (85/271), Ehrlichia at 26.9% (73/271), R. typhi at 15.5% (42/271), Anaplasma at 14.4% (39/271), and Borrelia at 6.6% (18/271). However, these bacteria were not detected by the molecular techniques used. Coxiella burnetii infection was detected in 39.5% of the patients: 49.5% only by phase I and II IgG antibodies, 33.6% only by real-time PCR, and 16.8% had a concordant positive result for both techniques. A total of 191 adult ticks, 111 females and 80 males, were collected and identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. and Rhipicephalus microplus. In the 169 adult ticks in which natural infection was evaluated, Ehrlichia spp. was detected in 21.3% (36/169), Coxiella spp. in 11.8% (20/169), and Anaplasma spp. in 4.7% (8/169). In conclusion, we identified the prior exposition to Francisella, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Coxiella in patients through serological tests. We also detected the infection of C. burnetii using molecular techniques. In the ticks, we identified bacteria of the genera Coxiella, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia. These results suggest the importance of these zoonotic agents as possible causes of AFI in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Cabrera
- Grupo Biología de Sistemas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Willington Mendoza
- Grupo Biología de Sistemas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Loreth López-Mosquera
- Grupo Biología de Sistemas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Miguel Angel Cano
- Grupo Biología de Sistemas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación en Salud Pública, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Nicolas Ortiz
- Grupo Biología de Sistemas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación en Salud Pública, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Valentina Campo
- Grupo Biología de Sistemas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación en Salud Pública, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Yoav Keynan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases and Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Lucelly López
- Grupo de Investigación en Salud Pública, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Zulma Vanessa Rueda
- Grupo de Investigación en Salud Pública, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases and Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Lina Andrea Gutiérrez
- Grupo Biología de Sistemas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050034, Colombia
- Correspondence:
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Grostieta E, Zazueta-Islas HM, Cruz-Valdez T, Ballados-González GG, Álvarez-Castillo L, García-Esparza SM, Cruz-Romero A, Romero-Salas D, Aguilar-Domínguez M, Becker I, Sánchez-Montes S. Molecular detection of Coxiella-like endosymbionts and absence of Coxiella burnetii in Amblyomma mixtum from Veracruz, Mexico. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:113-125. [PMID: 36244047 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00748-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate ectoparasites associated with a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including domestic animals. Moreover, ticks are capable of transmitting many pathogens such as Coxiella. To date, Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of coxiellosis or Q fever, is the only valid species of the genera. Nevertheless, a wide range of agents denominated Coxiella-like have been detected in recent studies, mainly associated with ticks. The pathogenicity of these Coxiella-like agents is controversial as some of them can infect both birds and humans. In Mexico, knowledge about Q fever is scarce and limited to historical serological records, and there is an overall lack of molecular proof of any agent of the genus Coxiella circulating in the country. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect the presence of Coxiella in ticks associated with cattle in all 10 regions of Veracruz, Mexico. To accomplish this objective, first, we identified ticks collected from cattle and horses in Veracruz. Then, for Coxiella detection, DNA extraction from ticks and PCR amplification of the 16S-rDNA of Coxiella was performed. Finally, we performed a phylogenetic reconstruction to determine the Coxiella lineages detected. From the 10 regions sampled we collected 888 ticks grouped in 180 pools, and only five Amblyomma mixtum from the locality of Castán, and one from Los Angeles from Tuxpan were found positive, which represents a frequency of 20% for each locality. This study represents the first attempt at molecular detection of Coxiella in ticks associated with cattle in the state of Veracruz, the major livestock producer in the country. The findings of the present study are relevant as they establish a precedent regarding the circulation of Coxiella-like agents, as well as the absence in three municipalities of the state of Veracruz of C. burnetii, an abortive agent of livestock importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Grostieta
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
| | - Héctor M Zazueta-Islas
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
| | - Timoteo Cruz-Valdez
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias Región Tuxpan, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
| | - Gerardo G Ballados-González
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México
| | - Lucía Álvarez-Castillo
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, México
| | - Sandra M García-Esparza
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
| | - Anabel Cruz-Romero
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México
| | - Dora Romero-Salas
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México
| | - Mariel Aguilar-Domínguez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México.
| | - Ingeborg Becker
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México.
| | - Sokani Sánchez-Montes
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias Región Tuxpan, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
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Belhouari A, Souames S, Berrama Z, Ouchene N. Seroprevalence of Q fever among ewes and associated risk factors in Ain Defla region, North-central Algeria. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 87:101853. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Validation of an Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay and Commercial Q Fever Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Use in Macropods. J Clin Microbiol 2022; 60:e0023622. [PMID: 35652310 PMCID: PMC9297833 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00236-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Kangaroos are considered to be an important reservoir of Q fever in Australia, although there is limited knowledge on the true prevalence and distribution of coxiellosis in Australian macropod populations. Serological tests serve as useful surveillance tools, but formal test validation is needed to be able to estimate true seroprevalence rates, and few tests have been validated to screen wildlife species for Q fever. In this study, we modified and optimized a phase-specific indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for the detection of IgG antibodies against Coxiella burnetii in macropod sera. The assay was validated against the commercially available ID Screen Q fever indirect multispecies enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (IDVet, Grabels, France) to estimate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of each assay, using Bayesian latent class analysis. A direct comparison of the two tests was performed by testing 303 serum samples from 10 macropod populations from the east coast of Australia and New Zealand. The analysis indicated that the IFA had relatively high diagnostic sensitivity (97.6% [95% credible interval [CrI], 88.0 to 99.9]) and diagnostic specificity (98.5% [95% CrI, 94.4 to 99.9]). In comparison, the ELISA had relatively poor diagnostic sensitivity (42.1% [95% CrI, 33.7 to 50.8]) and similar diagnostic specificity (99.2% [95% CrI, 96.4 to 100]) using the cutoff values recommended by the manufacturer. The estimated true seroprevalence of C. burnetii exposure in the macropod populations included in this study ranged from 0% in New Zealand and Victoria, Australia, up to 94.2% in one population from New South Wales, Australia.
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Hou KW, Wiethoelter AK, Stevenson MA, Soares Magalhaes RJ, Lignereux L, Caraguel C, Stenos J, Vincent G, Aleri JW, Firestone SM. A cross-sectional survey of risk factors for the presence of Coxiella burnetii in Australian commercial dairy goat farms. Aust Vet J 2022; 100:296-305. [PMID: 35582949 PMCID: PMC9543512 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The largest Australian farm‐based outbreak of Q fever originated from a dairy goat herd. We surveyed commercial dairy goat farms across Australia by testing bulk tank milk (BTM) samples using a commercial indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and two quantitative polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). Of the 66 commercial dairy goat herds on record, managers from 61 herds were contacted and 49 provided BTM samples. Five of the surveyed herds were positive on at least one of the diagnostic tests, thus herd‐level apparent prevalence was 10% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4 to 22). True prevalence was estimated to be 3% (95% credible interval: 0 to 18). Herd managers completed a questionnaire on herd management, biosecurity and hygiene practices and risk factors were investigated using multivariable logistic regression. Herds with >900 milking does (the upper quartile) were more likely to be Coxiella burnetii positive (odds ratio = 6.75; 95% CI 1.65 to 27.7) compared with farms with ≤900 milking does. The odds of BTM positivity increased by a factor of 2.53 (95% CI 1.51 to 4.22) for each order of magnitude increase in the number of goats per acre. C. burnetii was not detected in samples from the majority of the Australian dairy goat herds suggesting there is an opportunity to protect the industry and contain this disease with strengthened biosecurity practices. Intensification appeared associated with an increased risk of positivity. Further investigation is required to discriminate the practices associated with an increased risk of introduction to disease‐free herds, from practices associated with maintenance of C. burnetii infection in infected dairy goat herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- K W Hou
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - A K Wiethoelter
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - M A Stevenson
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - R J Soares Magalhaes
- UQ Spatial Epidemiology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia
| | - L Lignereux
- School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, 5371, Australia
| | - C Caraguel
- School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, 5371, Australia
| | - J Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
| | - G Vincent
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
| | - J W Aleri
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Centre for Animal Production and Health, Future Foods Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - S M Firestone
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
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de Oliveira LB, Calchi AC, Vultão JG, Yogui DR, Kluyber D, Alves MH, Desbiez ALJ, de Santi M, Soares AG, Soares JF, Werther K, Teixeira MMG, Machado RZ, André MR. Molecular investigation of hemotropic mycoplasmas and Coxiella burnetii in free-living Xenarthra mammals from Brazil, with evidence of new hemoplasma species. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e1877-e1891. [PMID: 35298081 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Although mammals of the superorder Xenarthra are considered hosts of a wide range of zoonotic agents, works aiming at investigating the role of these animals as hosts for bacteria with zoonotic potential are rare. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecularly characterize Coxiella burnetii and hemoplasma (hemotropic mycoplasmas) DNA in blood and spleen samples from 397 free-living Xenarthra mammals (233 sloths, 107 anteaters, and 57 armadillos) in five Brazilian states (Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Pará, Rondônia, and Rio Grande do Sul). All biological samples from Xenarthra were negative in the qPCR for Coxiella burnetii based on the IS1111 gene. The absence of C. burnetii DNA in blood and spleen samples from Xenarthra suggests that these mammals may not act as possible hosts for this agent in the locations studied. When performed conventional PCR assays for the endogenous (gapdh) mammalian gene, 386 samples were positive. When screened by molecular assays based on the 16S rRNA gene of hemoplasmas, 81 samples were positive, of which 15.54% (60/386) were positive by conventional PCR and 5.44% (21/386) were positive by real-time PCR; three samples were positive in both assays. Of these, 39.74% (31/78) were also positive for the 23S rRNA gene and 7.69% (6/78) for the hemoplasma RNAse P gene. Among the samples positive for hemoplasmas, 25.64% (20/78) were obtained from anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla and Myrmecophaga tridactyla), 39.74% (31/78) from sloths (Bradypus tridactylus, Bradypus sp. and Choloepus sp.) 34.61% (27/78) from armadillos (Priodontes maximus, Euphractus sexcinctus and Dasypus novemcinctus). A hemoplasma 16S rRNA sequence closely related and showing high identity (99.7%) to Mycoplasma wenyonii was detected, for the first time, in B. tridactylus. Based on the low identity and phylogenetic positioning of 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA sequences of hemoplasmas detected in anteaters and armadillos, the present study showed, for the first time, the occurrence of putative new Candidatus hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. ('Candidatus Mycoplasma haematotetradactyla' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematomaximus') in Xenarthra mammals from Brazil. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laryssa Borges de Oliveira
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia Calchi
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Débora Regina Yogui
- Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres (ICAS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, MS, Brazil
| | - Danilo Kluyber
- Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres (ICAS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, MS, Brazil.,Pesquisador associado do Naples Zoo at the Caribbean Gardens, Naples, USA
| | - Mário Henrique Alves
- Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres (ICAS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Mariele de Santi
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Girotto Soares
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - João Fabio Soares
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Karin Werther
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
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22
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Research Trends and Hotspots of Q Fever Research: A Bibliometric Analysis 1990-2019. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:9324471. [PMID: 35075431 PMCID: PMC8783702 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9324471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Q fever is a worldwide distributed zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram-negative bacterium. Despite existence of large amount of research data on the developments related to Q fever, no bibliometric analysis of this subject is available to our knowledge. Bibliometric studies are an essential resource to track scholarly trends and research output in a subject. This study is aimed at reporting a bibliometric analysis of publications related to Q fever (2,840 articles published in the period 1990-2019) retrieved from Science Citation Index Expanded, an online database of Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection. Data was retrieved using keywords “Q fever” or “Coxiella burnetii” in title, abstract, and author keywords to describe important research indicators such as the kind and language of articles, the most important publications, research journals and categories, authors, institutions, and the countries having the most significant contribution to this subject. Finally, the emerging areas in field of diagnosis, host range, and clinical presentation were identified. Word cluster analysis of research related to Q fever revealed that major focus of research has been on zoonosis, seroprevalence, laboratory diagnosis (mainly using ELISA and PCR), clinical manifestations (abortion and endocarditis), vectors (ticks), and hosts (sheep, goat, and cattle). This bibliometric study is intended to visualize the existing research landscape and future trends in Q fever to assist in future knowledge exchange and research collaborations.
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Wittwer M, Hammer P, Runge M, Valentin-Weigand P, Neubauer H, Henning K, Mertens-Scholz K. Inactivation Kinetics of Coxiella burnetii During High-Temperature Short-Time Pasteurization of Milk. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:753871. [PMID: 35069465 PMCID: PMC8770862 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.753871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii is the causative organism of the zoonosis Q fever and is known for its resistance toward various intra- and extracellular stressors. Infected ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats can shed the pathogen in their milk. Pasteurization of raw milk was introduced for the inactivation of C. burnetii and other milk-borne pathogens. Legal regulations for the pasteurization of milk are mostly based on recommendations of the Codex Alimentarius. As described there, C. burnetii is considered as the most heat-resistant non-spore-forming bacterial pathogen in milk and has to be reduced by at least 5 log10-steps during the pasteurization process. However, the corresponding inactivation data for C. burnetii originate from experiments performed more than 60 years ago. Recent scientific findings and the technological progress of modern pasteurization equipment indicate that C. burnetii is potentially more effectively inactivated during pasteurization than demanded in the Codex Alimentarius. In the present study, ultra-high heat-treated milk was inoculated with different C. burnetii field isolates and subsequently heat-treated in a pilot-plant pasteurizer. Kinetic inactivation data in terms of D- and z-values were determined and used for the calculation of heat-dependent log reduction. With regard to the mandatory 5 log10-step reduction of the pathogen, the efficacy of the established heat treatment regime was confirmed, and, in addition, a reduction of the pasteurization temperature seems feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Wittwer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Philipp Hammer
- Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut, Kiel, Germany
| | - Martin Runge
- Food and Veterinary Institute, Braunschweig/Hannover, Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Hanover, Germany
| | - Peter Valentin-Weigand
- Institute for Microbiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Klaus Henning
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Katja Mertens-Scholz
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
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CoxBase: an Online Platform for Epidemiological Surveillance, Visualization, Analysis, and Typing of Coxiella burnetii Genomic Sequences. mSystems 2021; 6:e0040321. [PMID: 34931882 PMCID: PMC8691191 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00403-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Q (query) fever is an infectious zoonotic disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Although the disease has been studied for decades, it still represents a threat due to sporadic outbreaks across farms in Europe. The absence of a central platform for Coxiella typing data management is an important epidemiological gap that is relevant in the case of an outbreak. To fill this gap, we have designed and implemented an online, open-source, web-based platform called CoxBase (https://coxbase.q-gaps.de). This platform includes a database that holds genotyping information on more than 400 Coxiella isolates alongside metadata that annotate them. We have also implemented features for in silico genotyping of completely or minimally assembled Coxiella sequences using five different typing methods, querying of existing isolates, visualization of isolate geodata via aggregation on a world map, and submission of new isolates. We tested our in silico typing method on 50 Coxiella genomes downloaded from the RefSeq database, and we successfully genotyped all genomes except for cases where the sequence quality was poor. We identified new spacer sequences using our implementation of the multispacer sequence typing (MST) in silico typing method and established adaA gene phenotypes for all 50 genomes as well as their plasmid types. IMPORTANCE Q fever is a zoonotic disease that is a source of active epidemiological concern due to its persistent threat to public health. In this project, we have identified areas in the field of Coxiella research, especially regarding public health and genomic analysis, where there is an inadequacy of resources to monitor, organize, and analyze genomic data from C. burnetii. Subsequently, we have created an open, web-based platform that contains epidemiological information, genome typing functions comprising all the available Coxiella typing methods, and tools for isolate data discovery and visualization that could help address the above-mentioned challenges. This is the first platform to combine all disparate genotyping systems for Coxiella burnetii as well as metadata assets with tools for genomic comparison and analyses. This platform is a valuable resource for laboratory researchers as well as research epidemiologists interested in investigating the relatedness or dissimilarity among C. burnetii strains.
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Clune T, Lockwood A, Hancock S, Thompson AN, Beetson S, Bruce M, Campbell AJ, Glanville E, Brookes D, Trengove C, O'Handley R, Jacobson C. Seropositivity to Coxiella burnetii in primiparous and multiparous ewes from southern Australia: A cross-sectional study. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 80:101727. [PMID: 34875542 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The role of infectious diseases including coxiellosis in causing poorer reproductive performance of primiparous ewes are not well studied. The aims of this study were to determine if natural exposure to Coxiella burnetii is widespread in breeding ewes and whether seropositivity is associated with poor reproductive performance of primiparous ewes. Seropositivity to Coxiella burnetii was 0.08% (CI95% 0.01, 0.36) in primiparous ewes and 0.36% (CI95% 0.07, 1.14) in mature ewes. Coxiella burnetii was not detected in aborted or stillborn lambs using qPCR. These findings suggest C. burnetii infection was unlikely to be an important contributor to abortion and perinatal mortalities observed for primiparous ewe flocks, and exposure to C. burnetii was not widespread in ewes on farms located over wide geographical region of southern Australia. Whilst ewes on these farms were not an important reservoir for C. burnetii, sporadic zoonotic transmission from sheep is reported and has public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Clune
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Amy Lockwood
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Serina Hancock
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Andrew N Thompson
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Sue Beetson
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Mieghan Bruce
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia; Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Angus J Campbell
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia; Mackinnon Project, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Elsa Glanville
- Mackinnon Project, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Daniel Brookes
- Mackinnon Project, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Colin Trengove
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Adelaide University, Roseworthy, South Australia 5371, Australia
| | - Ryan O'Handley
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Adelaide University, Roseworthy, South Australia 5371, Australia
| | - Caroline Jacobson
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
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Jodełko A, Szymańska-Czerwińska M, Rola JG, Niemczuk K. Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in small ruminants and genotyping of specimens collected from goats in Poland. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:341. [PMID: 34711239 PMCID: PMC8554849 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-03051-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Jodełko
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland.
| | | | - Jolanta Grażyna Rola
- Department of Hygiene of Food of Animal Origin, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Niemczuk
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
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Howland D, Ellederova Z, Aronin N, Fernau D, Gallagher J, Taylor A, Hennebold J, Weiss AR, Gray-Edwards H, McBride J. Large Animal Models of Huntington's Disease: What We Have Learned and Where We Need to Go Next. J Huntingtons Dis 2021; 9:201-216. [PMID: 32925082 PMCID: PMC7597371 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-200425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Genetically modified rodent models of Huntington’s disease (HD) have been especially valuable to our understanding of HD pathology and the mechanisms by which the mutant HTT gene alters physiology. However, due to inherent differences in genetics, neuroanatomy, neurocircuitry and neurophysiology, animal models do not always faithfully or fully recapitulate human disease features or adequately predict a clinical response to treatment. Therefore, conducting translational studies of candidate HD therapeutics only in a single species (i.e. mouse disease models) may not be sufficient. Large animal models of HD have been shown to be valuable to the HD research community and the expectation is that the need for translational studies that span rodent and large animal models will grow. Here, we review the large animal models of HD that have been created to date, with specific commentary on differences between the models, the strengths and disadvantages of each, and how we can advance useful models to study disease pathophysiology, biomarker development and evaluation of promising therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zdenka Ellederova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Neil Aronin
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and RNA Therapeutics Institute at The University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Deborah Fernau
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and RNA Therapeutics Institute at The University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jill Gallagher
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and RNA Therapeutics Institute at The University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Amanda Taylor
- Diplomate, MedVet, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine - Neurology, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jon Hennebold
- Oregon National Primate Research Center at The Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Alison R Weiss
- Oregon National Primate Research Center at The Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Heather Gray-Edwards
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and RNA Therapeutics Institute at The University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jodi McBride
- Oregon National Primate Research Center at The Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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28
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Jansen W, Cargnel M, Boarbi S, Mertens I, Van Esbroeck M, Fretin D, Mori M. Belgian bulk tank milk surveillance program reveals the impact of a continuous vaccination protocol for small ruminants against Coxiella burnetii. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e141-e152. [PMID: 34357703 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Endemic Q fever in small ruminants remains an ongoing challenge for veterinary and human public health agencies. Though surveillance programs are implemented in Belgium, infection patterns and vaccination profiles, driving variables, as well as geographical clustering were not presented until now. Based on data from a decade of bulk tank milk analysis between 2009 and 2019, shedding in dairy goat herds declined from 16% (8/50) to 6% (10/162), whereas seroprevalence remained between 32% and 40%. Merely up to two shedding dairy sheep flocks were detected until 2019; seroprevalence peaked in 2017 (43%, 12/28) and declined thereafter. The number of animals in the holding influenced significantly (p = .048) the likelihood of shedding, whereas other established risk factors such as uncovered manure, high abortion rates and diversified farm structure could not be confirmed to significantly affect infection on Belgian herd level. Intermittent, incomplete and unsynchronized vaccinated herds shed Coxiella burnetii significantly more often and longer (p < .001) than continuously, complete and synchronized vaccinated herds. Spatial analyses revealed restricted but matching, homogenous clusters with ≤35 km diameter, concentrated in the coastal region close to the border to the Netherlands from 2009 to 2012, and broadened, heterogeneous clusters with ≥45 km diameter between 2014 and 2016 spreading south-west. Though the majority of human cases was notified in this region, the animal clusters could not be allied with Q fever cases. The impact of environmental factors as well as the role of wildlife, rodents and ticks on the transmission between flocks and to humans remains to be elucidated to harness additional epidemiological drivers of Q fever in Belgium. In conclusion, attempts to reduce the burden of Q fever in Belgium should particularly focus on the timely, complete and synchronized vaccination of flocks, including the breeding sire, and particularity in high-risk areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Jansen
- Federal Research Institute for Health, Bacterial Zoonoses of Animals, Veterinary Bacteriology, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,National Reference Center for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mickael Cargnel
- Federal Research Institute for Health, Veterinary Epidemiology, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Samira Boarbi
- Federal Research Institute for Health, Bacterial Zoonoses of Animals, Veterinary Bacteriology, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ingeborg Mertens
- Federal Agency for the Safety in the Food Chain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marjan Van Esbroeck
- National Reference Center for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - David Fretin
- Federal Research Institute for Health, Bacterial Zoonoses of Animals, Veterinary Bacteriology, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,National Reference Center for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marcella Mori
- Federal Research Institute for Health, Bacterial Zoonoses of Animals, Veterinary Bacteriology, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,National Reference Center for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
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29
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From Coxiella burnetii Infection to Pregnancy Complications: Key Role of the Immune Response of Placental Cells. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10050627. [PMID: 34069587 PMCID: PMC8160966 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The infection of pregnant animals and women by Coxiella burnetii, an intracellular bacterium, compromises both maternal health and foetal development. The placenta is targeted by C. burnetii, as demonstrated by bacteriological and histological evidence. It now appears that placental strains of C. burnetii are highly virulent compared to reference strains and that placental injury involves different types of placental cells. Trophoblasts, the major placental cells, are largely infected by C. burnetii and may represent a replicating niche for the bacteria. The placenta also contains numerous immune cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and mast cells. Placental macrophages are infected and activated by C. burnetii in an unusual way of M1 polarisation associated with bacterial elimination. Placental mast cells eliminate bacteria through a mechanism including the release of extracellular actin filaments and antimicrobial peptides. In contrast, C. burnetii impairs the maturation of decidual dendritic cells, favouring bacterial pathogenicity. Our aim is to review C. burnetii infections of human placentas, paying special attention to both the action and function of the different cell types, immune cells, and trophoblasts targeted by C. burnetii in relation to foetal injury.
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30
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Körner S, Makert GR, Ulbert S, Pfeffer M, Mertens-Scholz K. The Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Hard Ticks in Europe and Their Role in Q Fever Transmission Revisited-A Systematic Review. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:655715. [PMID: 33981744 PMCID: PMC8109271 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.655715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The zoonosis Q fever is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Besides the main transmission route via inhalation of contaminated aerosols, ticks are discussed as vectors since the first isolation of the pathogen from a Dermacentor andersonii tick. The rare detection of C. burnetii in ticks and the difficult differentiation of C. burnetii from Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) are questioning the relevance of ticks in the epidemiology of Q fever. In this review, literature databases were systematically searched for recent prevalence studies concerning C. burnetii in ticks in Europe and experimental studies evaluating the vector competence of tick species. A total of 72 prevalence studies were included and evaluated regarding DNA detection methods and collection methods, country, and tested tick species. Specimens of more than 25 different tick species were collected in 23 European countries. Overall, an average prevalence of 4.8% was determined. However, in half of the studies, no Coxiella-DNA was detected. In Southern European countries, a significantly higher prevalence was observed, possibly related to the abundance of different tick species here, namely Hyalomma spp. and Rhipicephalus spp. In comparison, a similar proportion of studies used ticks sampled by flagging and dragging or tick collection from animals, under 30% of the total tick samples derived from the latter. There was no significant difference in the various target genes used for the molecular test. In most of the studies, no distinction was made between C. burnetii and CLEs. The application of specific detection methods and the confirmation of positive results are crucial to determine the role of ticks in Q fever transmission. Only two studies were available, which assessed the vector competence of ticks for C. burnetii in the last 20 years, demonstrating the need for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Körner
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses (IBIZ), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Jena, Germany
| | - Gustavo R Makert
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ulbert
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katja Mertens-Scholz
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses (IBIZ), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Jena, Germany
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31
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Turcotte MÈ, Buczinski S, Leboeuf A, Harel J, Bélanger D, Tremblay D, Gagnon CA, Arsenault J. Epidemiological study of Coxiella burnetii in dairy cattle and small ruminants in Québec, Canada. Prev Vet Med 2021; 191:105365. [PMID: 33933915 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The bacterium Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) can infect a wide range of animals, most notably ruminants where it causes mainly asymptomatic infections and, when clinical, it is associated with reproductive disorders such as abortion. It is also the etiological agent of Q fever in humans, a zoonosis of increasingly important public health concern. A cross-sectional study was performed to estimate the apparent prevalence and spatial distribution of C. burnetii positivity in dairy cattle and small ruminant herds of two regions of Québec, Canada, and identify potential risk factors associated with positivity at animal and herd levels. In dairy cattle herds, individual fecal samples and repeated bulk tank milk samples (BTM) were collected. In small ruminant herds, serum and feces were sampled in individual animals. ELISA analyses were performed on serum and BTM samples. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was done on fecal and BTM samples. An animal was considered C. burnetii-positive when at least one sample was revealed positive by ELISA and/or qPCR, while a herd was considered C. burnetii-positive when at least one animal inside that herd was revealed positive. None of the 155 cows had a qPCR-positive fecal sample, whereas 37.2 % (95 % CI = 25.3-49.1) of the 341 sheep and 49.2 % (95 % CI = 25.6-72.7) of the 75 goats were C. burnetii-positive. The apparent prevalence of C. burnetii-positive herds was 47.3 % (95 % CI = 35.6-59.3) in dairy cattle herds (n = 74), 69.6 % (95 % CI = 47.1-86.8) in sheep flocks (n = 23) and 66.7 % (95 % CI = 22.3-95.7) in goat herds (n = 6). No spatial cluster of positive herds was detected. At the individual level, the only significant association with positivity in multivariable regressions was higher parity number in small ruminants. At the herd level, the use of calving group pen, the distance to the closest positive bovine herd, and small ruminant herd density in a 5 km radius were associated with dairy cattle herd positivity, whereas small ruminant herds with more than 100 animals and with a dog on the farm had greater odds of C. burnetii positivity. Our study shows that the infection is frequent on dairy cattle and small ruminant herds from the two studied regions and that some farm and animal characteristics might influence the transmission dynamics of the C. burnetii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Ève Turcotte
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada; Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada.
| | - Sébastien Buczinski
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada.
| | - Anne Leboeuf
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), 200 Sainte-Foy, 11(e) étage, Québec, G1R 4X6, Canada.
| | - Josée Harel
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada; Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Center (CRIPA) - Fonds de Recherche du Québec, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada; Service de diagnostic, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada.
| | - Denise Bélanger
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada; Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada.
| | - Donald Tremblay
- Service de diagnostic, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada.
| | - Carl A Gagnon
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada; Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Center (CRIPA) - Fonds de Recherche du Québec, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada; Service de diagnostic, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada.
| | - Julie Arsenault
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada; Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada; Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Center (CRIPA) - Fonds de Recherche du Québec, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada.
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32
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Tomaiuolo S, Boarbi S, Fancello T, Michel P, Desqueper D, Grégoire F, Callens J, Fretin D, Devriendt B, Cox E, Mori M. Phylogeography of Human and Animal Coxiella burnetii Strains: Genetic Fingerprinting of Q Fever in Belgium. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:625576. [PMID: 33718257 PMCID: PMC7952626 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.625576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants are the primary source for human infection, and the identification of likely contamination routes from the reservoir animals the critical point to implement control programs. This study shows that Q fever is detected in Belgium in abortion of cattle, goat and sheep at a different degree of apparent prevalence (1.93%, 9.19%, and 5.50%, respectively). In addition, and for the first time, it is detected in abortion of alpaca (Vicugna pacos), raising questions on the role of these animals as reservoirs. To determine the relationship between animal and human strains, Multiple Locus Variable-number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) (n=146), Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) (n=92) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) (n=4) methods were used to characterize samples/strains during 2009-2019. Three MLVA clusters (A, B, C) subdivided in 23 subclusters (A1-A12, B1-B8, C1-C3) and 3 SNP types (SNP1, SNP2, SNP6) were identified. The SNP2 type/MLVA cluster A was the most abundant and dispersed genotype over the entire territory, but it seemed not responsible for human cases, as it was only present in animal samples. The SNP1/MLVA B and SNP6/MLVA C clusters were mostly found in small ruminant and human samples, with the rare possibility of spillovers in cattle. SNP1/MLVA B cluster was present in all Belgian areas, while the SNP6/MLVA C cluster appeared more concentrated in the Western provinces. A broad analysis of European MLVA profiles confirmed the host-species distribution described for Belgian samples. In silico genotyping (WGS) further identified the spacer types and the genomic groups of C. burnetii Belgian strains: cattle and goat SNP2/MLVA A isolates belonged to ST61 and genomic group III, while the goat SNP1/MLVA B strain was classified as ST33 and genomic group II. In conclusion, Q fever is widespread in all Belgian domestic ruminants and in alpaca. We determined that the public health risk in Belgium is likely linked to specific genomic groups (SNP1/MLVA B and SNP6/MLVA C) mostly found in small ruminant strains. Considering the concordance between Belgian and European results, these considerations could be extended to other European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Tomaiuolo
- Zoonoses of Animals Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases in Animals Scientific Directorate, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Belgian Reference Centrum for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Samira Boarbi
- Zoonoses of Animals Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases in Animals Scientific Directorate, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Belgian Reference Centrum for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tiziano Fancello
- Zoonoses of Animals Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases in Animals Scientific Directorate, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Belgian Reference Centrum for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick Michel
- Zoonoses of Animals Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases in Animals Scientific Directorate, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Belgian Reference Centrum for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Damien Desqueper
- Zoonoses of Animals Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases in Animals Scientific Directorate, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Belgian Reference Centrum for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fabien Grégoire
- Serology and Molecular Biology Unit, Association Régionale de Santé et d'Identification Animales (Arsia), Ciney, Belgium
| | - Jozefien Callens
- Small Ruminant Section, Dierengezondheidszorg (DGZ), Torhout, Belgium
| | - David Fretin
- Zoonoses of Animals Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases in Animals Scientific Directorate, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Belgian Reference Centrum for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bert Devriendt
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Eric Cox
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Marcella Mori
- Zoonoses of Animals Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases in Animals Scientific Directorate, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Belgian Reference Centrum for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Brussels, Belgium
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33
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Winter F, Schoneberg C, Wolf A, Bauer BU, Prüfer TL, Fischer SF, Gerdes U, Runge M, Ganter M, Campe A. Concept of an Active Surveillance System for Q Fever in German Small Ruminants-Conflicts Between Best Practices and Feasibility. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:623786. [PMID: 33644150 PMCID: PMC7902497 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.623786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Inhalation of contaminated dust particles or aerosols originating from animals (esp. small ruminants) is the main source of human infection. Hence, an active early warning system for Q fever in German small ruminant livestock was conceptualized to prevent human infections. First, we describe the best practice for establishing this system before evaluating its feasibility, as the combination of both evokes conflicts. Vaginal swabs from all husbandry systems with a focus on reproductive females should pooled and investigated by PCR to detect C. burnetii-shedding animals. Multistage risk-based sampling shall be carried out at the flock level and within-flock level. At the flock level, all flocks that are at risk to transmit the pathogen to the public must be sampled. At the within-flock level, all primi- and multiparous females after lambing must be tested in order to increase the probability of identifying a positive herd. Sampling should be performed during the main lambing period and before migration in residential areas. Furthermore, individual animals should be tested before migration or exhibition to ensure a negative status. If a flock tests positive in at least one individual sample, then flock-specific preventive measures should be implemented. This approach implies huge financial costs (sample testing, action/control measures). Hence, taking the step to develop more feasible and affordable preventive measures, e.g., vaccinating small ruminant flocks, should replace testing wherever justifiable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenja Winter
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Clara Schoneberg
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Annika Wolf
- Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants and Forensic Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Benjamin U Bauer
- Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants and Forensic Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - T Louise Prüfer
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety - Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Silke F Fischer
- National Consulting Laboratory for Coxiella burnetii, State Health Office Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ursula Gerdes
- Animal Disease Fund of Lower Saxony, Public Law Institution, Hanover, Germany
| | - Martin Runge
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety - Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants and Forensic Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Amely Campe
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hanover, Germany
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34
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Abeykoon AMH, Clark NJ, Soares Magalhaes RJ, Vincent GA, Stevenson MA, Firestone SM, Wiethoelter AK. Coxiella burnetii in the environment: A systematic review and critical appraisal of sampling methods. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 68:165-181. [PMID: 33314733 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the intracellular bacterium, Coxiella burnetii. Its primary mode of transmission is by inhalation of aerosols originating from infected animals and contaminated environments. The organism has a very low infective dose, can persist in the environment for long periods of time and large outbreaks fuelled by windborne spread have been previously reported. Detection of C. burnetii in the environment is therefore important during human and animal outbreak investigations and for the control and prevention of Q fever. This study aimed to systematically review and critically appraise the published literature on sampling methods used to detect C. burnetii from different environmental samples. A search of four electronic databases with subsequent hand searching identified 47 eligible articles published since 1935. These articles described sampling of dust, air, soil and liquids in attempts to detect C. burnetii during 19 Q fever outbreaks and in 28 endemic settings. Environmental positivity was most commonly associated with ruminant livestock populations. Evidence describing spatio-temporal characteristics and associated geographical dispersion gradients was limited. The most commonly tested sample type was dust which also yielded the highest bacterial loads of >108 bacteria/cloth. The MD8 (Sartorius) air sampler was used widely for air sampling. Soil was the only sample type for which a validated laboratory protocol was established specifically for C. burnetii. Each environmental sample type has its advantages and limitations which are discussed in detail and a simplified framework to guide decisions around environmental sampling for C. burnetii is provided. In any type of environmental sampling, it is recommended to use standardized and validated methods and to match the most ideal sampling strategy and timing with the research context. These conditions are essential to be considered when designing future Q fever management plans that involve environmental sampling for C. burnetii.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Hasanthi Abeykoon
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas Joshua Clark
- UQ Spatial Epidemiology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Ricardo Jorge Soares Magalhaes
- UQ Spatial Epidemiology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia.,Children's Health and Environment Program, UQ Children's Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gemma Anne Vincent
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark Anthony Stevenson
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Simon Matthew Firestone
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anke Katrin Wiethoelter
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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35
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Kilicoglu Y, Cagirgan AA, Serdar G, Kaya S, Durmaz Y, Gur Y. Molecular investigation, isolation and phylogenetic analsysis of Coxiella burnetii from aborted fetus and ticks. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 73:101571. [PMID: 33129174 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic infection threatening human health, causing abortions in cattle, sheep and goats. Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) also causes serious problems such as low birth weight, infertility. This study is the first exemplary for analysis of Q fever around Black Sea region in Turkey. In the study, a total of 270 aborted fetuses (171 cattle, 79 sheep, 20 goats) and 1069 tick samples were aimed to be searched by PCR method. C. burnetii DNA was detected in 8 (2.96 %) of 270 sheep specimens while it could not be found in cattle and goat specimens. 406 sample pools were created from 1069 tick samples (490 male, 579 female) collected from 254 farm animals (187 cattle, 54 sheep, 13 goats) and 11 of these were stated positive. Tick species determined as C. burnetii positive were Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma anoliticum excavatum, Hyalomma detritum and Boophilus annulatus. Agent isolation was carried out within embryonated eggs. Agents were stained with Giemsa and was showed. Sequence analysis was performed for TUR/SAM/coxiella_1 (MN917207) isolate and phylogenetic tree was created. This tree, created in compliance with IS1111 transposon gene, did not form different branches in regard to host affiliation (goat, sheep, tick, human) and geographical distribution. As a result, an important zoonotic agent, C. burnetii was diagnosed in sheep aborted fetuses and the infection was proved to have spread among sheep herds in Black Sea region. Besides, 4 separate tick species found in our region hosted the agent and were found important for infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunus Kilicoglu
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Samsun, 55200, Turkey.
| | | | - Gulnur Serdar
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
| | - Selma Kaya
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
| | - Yuksel Durmaz
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
| | - Yunus Gur
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
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Dhaka P, Malik SVS, Yadav JP, Kumar M, Barbuddhe SB, Rawool DB. Apparent prevalence and risk factors of coxiellosis (Q fever) among dairy herds in India. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239260. [PMID: 32931511 PMCID: PMC7491716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a highly infectious zoonotic pathogen infecting wide range of mammals, including humans. In the present study, a total of 711 blood samples from bovines [cattle (n = 543) and buffaloes (n = 168)] from eight farms at different geographical locations in India were screened for C. burnetii targeting the IS1111 and the com1 genes. The anti-C. burnetii antibodies in serum samples were detected using indirect-ELISA kits. Also, a total of 21 parameters pertaining to animal health and farm management were identified to assess their role as possible risk factors for coxiellosis among the targeted farms. The apparent prevalence (positive for PCR and/or ELISA) for coxiellosis was reported to be 24.5% in cattle and 8.9% in buffaloes. In cattle, the detection rate of C. burnetii employing the IS1111 gene (8.5%) was found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared to the com1 (6.5%) gene. The seropositivity by ELISA was higher among cattle (17.7%) than in buffaloes (8.3%). Further, on univariable analysis of risk factors, species (cattle) (OR:3.31; 95%CI:1.88–5.82), inadequate floor spacing (OR:1.64; 95%CI:1.10–2.43), mastitis (OR:2.35, 95%CI:1.45–3.81) and reproductive disorders (OR:2.54; 95%CI:1.67–3.85) were significantly (p<0.05) having high odds for coxiellosis. The multivariable logistic regression analysis of the animal level risk factors revealed that species and age were found to be significantly associated with coxiellosis. However, since the number of screened farms is limited; further research is needed with a higher number of animals to confirm the farm level odds ratio of risk factors. Quarantine and biosecurity measures including farm hygiene operations were observed to be inadequate and also the lack of awareness about coxiellosis among the farm workers. In absence of vaccination program for coxiellosis in India, robust surveillance, farm biosecurity measures and the awareness for the disease among risk groups can play an important role in the disease prevention and subsequent transmission of the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Dhaka
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India
| | - Satya Veer Singh Malik
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India
| | - Jay Prakash Yadav
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India
| | - Manesh Kumar
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India
| | | | - Deepak B. Rawool
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India
- * E-mail:
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Bauer B, Prüfer L, Walter M, Ganter I, Frangoulidis D, Runge M, Ganter M. Comparison of Coxiella burnetii Excretion between Sheep and Goats Naturally Infected with One Cattle-Associated Genotype. Pathogens 2020; 9:E652. [PMID: 32823701 PMCID: PMC7459479 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The main reservoir of Coxiella (C.) burnetii are ruminants. They shed the pathogen through birth products, vaginal mucus, faeces and milk. A direct comparison of C. burnetii excretions between naturally infected sheep and goats was performed on the same farm to investigate species-specific differences. The animals were vaccinated with an inactivated C. burnetii phase I vaccine at the beginning of the study period for public health reasons. Vaginal and rectal swabs along with milk specimens were taken monthly during the lambing period and once again at the next lambing season. To estimate the environmental contamination of the animals' housings, nasal swabs from every animal were taken simultaneously. Moreover, dust samples from the windowsills and straw beddings were collected. All samples were examined by qPCR targeting the IS1111 gene and the MLVA/VNTR typing method was performed. Whole genome sequencing was applied to determine the number of IS1111 copies followed by a calculation of C. burnetii genome equivalents of each sample. The cattle-associated genotype C7 was detected containing 29 IS1111 copies. Overall, goats seem to shed more C. burnetii through vaginal mucus and in particular shed more and for longer via the rectal route than sheep. This is supported by the larger quantities of C. burnetii DNA detected in caprine nasal swabs and environmental samples compared to the ovine ones. Transmission of C. burnetii from cattle to small ruminants must also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Bauer
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Louise Prüfer
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Eintrachtweg 17, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (L.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Mathias Walter
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany; (M.W.); (D.F.)
| | - Isabel Ganter
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Dimitrios Frangoulidis
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany; (M.W.); (D.F.)
- Bundeswehr Medical Service Headquarters VI-2, Medical Intelligence & Information (MI2), Dachauer Straße 128, 80637 Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Runge
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Eintrachtweg 17, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (L.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany;
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Khademi P, Ownagh A, Ataei B, Kazemnia A, Enferadi A, Khalili M, Mardani K. Prevalence of C. burnetii DNA in sheep and goats milk in the northwest of Iran. Int J Food Microbiol 2020; 331:108716. [PMID: 32521375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2020.108716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Q fever is a common zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution. The causative agent of Q fever is Coxiella burnetii, a gram-negative and polymorphic rod bacterium. Sheep and goats are the primary reservoirs of this disease, although a variety of animal species can be infected. The main route of Q fever transmission from animals to humans is the inhalation of contaminated aerosols with C. burnetii. The bacterium is excreted in milk of infected animals and therefore; the consumption of unpasteurized milk and dairy products might be a route of coxiella burnetii transmission from animals to humans. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of C. burnetii in milk samples collected from sheep and goats in west Azerbaijan province, Iran. During 2018, a total number of 420 milk samples were collected from sheep (n = 210) and goats (n = 210) of different regions of the province. All milk samples were subjected to DNA extraction and examined by a highly and specific nested-PCR method. The results showed that 51 (12.1%) (95% CI: 9.3%-15.6%) examined samples [sheep; n = 16 (7.6%) and goat; n = 35 (16.6%)] were positive for C. burnetii. The prevalence of C. burnetii in goat milk samples was significantly higher than sheep milk samples (P < 0.05). The shedding of C. burnetii in milk was significantly higher in summer (25%) (P < 0.05, 95% CI: 17.7%-34%) than the other seasons. It was concluded that sheep and goat populations in west Azerbaijan play an important role in the epidemiology of Q fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Khademi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - A Ownagh
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran.
| | - B Ataei
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - A Kazemnia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - A Enferadi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - M Khalili
- Department of Pathobiology, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - K Mardani
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran
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Roest HIJ, Dinkla A, Koets AP, Post J, van Keulen L. Experimental Coxiella burnetii infection in non-pregnant goats and the effect of breeding. Vet Res 2020; 51:74. [PMID: 32471481 PMCID: PMC7257221 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-020-00797-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonosis caused by the intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. In Europe, small ruminants are the main source of human Q fever. Small ruminant herds can be infectious during several lambing seasons. However, it is not clear how infection is maintained in a herd and what role non-pregnant animals play in the transmission of C. burnetii. We therefore inoculated nulliparous goats with C. burnetii, isolated from the outbreak of Q fever in the Netherlands, to gain a better understanding of the role of non-pregnant goats. Seroconversion and excretion of C. burnetii were monitored after inoculation. To study the effect of breeding on the excretion of C. burnetii, the goats were naturally bred and monitored during gestation and after lambing. Our results indicate that C. burnetii infection prior to breeding did not result in infection of the placenta nor did it affect the gestation length or the number of kids born. However, one of the ten does did excrete C. burnetii in the colostrum post-partum and the bacterium was detected in the mammary gland and associated lymph nodes at necropsy. This result indicates that non-pregnant goats might play a role in maintaining Q fever in a goat herd as persistent carriers of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik I J Roest
- Department of Bacteriology and Epidemiology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands. .,Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, The Hague, The Netherlands.
| | - Annemieke Dinkla
- Department of Bacteriology and Epidemiology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Ad P Koets
- Department of Bacteriology and Epidemiology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands.,Department of Large Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Post
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Lucien van Keulen
- Department of Infection Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
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Sheikh N, Kumar S, Sharma HK, Bhagyawant SS, Thavaselvam D. Development of a Rapid and Sensitive Colorimetric Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay: A Novel Technology for the Detection of Coxiella burnetii From Minimally Processed Clinical Samples. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:127. [PMID: 32432047 PMCID: PMC7214634 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever is an important zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. The agent is considered as a potential agent for bioterrorism because of its low infectious dose, aerial route of transmission, resistance to drying, and many commonly used disinfectants. Humans are largely infected by the inhalation of aerosols that are contaminated with parturition products of infected animals as well as by the consumption of unpasteurized milk products. Thus, rapid and accurate detection of C. burnetii in shedders, especially those that are asymptomatic, is important for early warning, which allows controlling its spread among animals and animal-to-human transmission. In the present study, a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed to confirm the presence of IS1111a gene of C. burnetii in sheep vaginal swabs. The sensitivity of this assay was found to be very comparable to the quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay, which could detect three copies of the gene, which corresponds to a single cell of C. burnetii. The applicability of the colorimetric LAMP assay in the disease diagnosis was assessed by evaluating 145 vaginal swab samples collected from the sheep breeding farms with a history of stillbirth and repeated abortions. Compared to qPCR, colorimetric LAMP had a sensitivity of 93.75% (CI, 69.77–99.84%) and specificity of 100% (CI, 97.20–100%), with a positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 100 and 99.24%, respectively. A very high level of agreement was observed between both colorimetric LAMP and reference qPCR assay. The colorimetric LAMP assay reported here is a rapid and simple test without extensive sample preparation and has a short turnaround time of <45 min. To the best of our understanding, it is the very first study describing the use of colorimetric LAMP assay that detects C. burnetii in vaginal swab samples with minimal sample processing for DNA extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazish Sheikh
- Biodetector Development Test and Evaluation Division, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Biodetector Development Test and Evaluation Division, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, India
| | - Harsh Kumar Sharma
- Division of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, India
| | | | - Duraipandian Thavaselvam
- Biodetector Development Test and Evaluation Division, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, India
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Schinköthe J, Bartram-Sitzius B, Teifke JP, Pfitzner U, Reiche S. Technical and Anatomical Considerations for Reproducible Inactivation of Large Animal Carcasses by Steam Sterilization. APPLIED BIOSAFETY 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/1535676020919637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The complete inactivation of infectious tissues of large animal carcasses is one of the most challenging tasks in high-containment facilities. Steam sterilization is a method frequently in use to achieve biological inactivation of liquid and solid waste. Objective: This study aims to highlight parameters most effective in creating reproducible cycles for steam sterilization of pig and calf carcasses. Methods: Two pigs or 1 calf were sterilized by running a liquid cycle (n = 3) at 121°C for at least 120 minutes in a pass-through autoclave. To assess the physical and biological parameters, temperature data loggers and biological indicators (BIs) with spores of Geobacillus stearothermophilus (ATCC 7953) were placed at defined positions within animal carcasses. After completion of each cycle, data loggers were analyzed and BIs were incubated for 7 days at 60°C. Results: Initial testing with an undissected pig carcass resulted in suboptimal temperatures at the tissue level with growth on 1 BI. After modifications of the used stainless-steel boxes and by placing the reference probe of the autoclave in the animal carcass, reproducible cycles could be created. A complete inactivation of BIs and a temperature profile of >121°C for at least 20 minutes could be achieved in almost all probed tissues. Conclusion: Only minor modifications in carcass preparation and the used sterilization equipment resulted in effective and reproducible cycles to inactivate large animal carcasses by using a steam autoclave.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Schinköthe
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Jens-Peter Teifke
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Pfitzner
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Langen, Germany
| | - Sven Reiche
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany
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Relationship between Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) antibody serology and time spent outdoors. J Infect 2020; 81:90-97. [PMID: 32330524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM From 2007 through 2010, the Netherlands experienced the largest recorded Q fever outbreak to date. People living closer to Coxiella burnetii infected goat farms were at increased risk for acute Q fever. Time spent outdoors near infected farms may have contributed to exposure to C. burnetii. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate whether hours/week spent outdoors, in the vicinity of previously C. burnetii infected goat farms, was associated with presence of antibodies against C. burnetii in residents of a rural area in the Netherlands. METHODS Between 2014-2015, we collected C. burnetii antibody serology and self-reported data about habitual hours/week spent outdoors near the home from 2494 adults. From a subgroup we collected 941 GPS tracks, enabling analyses of active mobility in the outbreak region. Participants were categorised as exposed if they spent time within specified distances (500m, 1000m, 2000m, or 4000m) of C. burnetii infected goat farms. We evaluated whether time spent near these farms was associated with positive C. burnetii serology using spline analyses and logistic regression. RESULTS People that spent more hours/week outdoors near infected farms had a significantly increased risk for positive C. burnetii serology (time spent within 2000m of a C. burnetii abortion-wave positive farm, OR 3.6 (1.2-10.6)), compared to people spending less hours/week outdoors. CONCLUSIONS Outdoor exposure contributed to the risk of becoming C. burnetii serology positive. These associations were stronger if people spent more time near C. burnetii infected farms. Outdoor exposure should, if feasible, be included in outbreak investigations.
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Galay RL, Talactac MR, Ambita-Salem BV, Chu DMM, Costa LMOD, Salangsang CMA, Caracas DKB, Generoso FH, Babelonia JA, Vergano JL, Berana LC, Sandalo KAC, Divina BP, Alvarez CR, Mago ER, Andoh M, Tanaka T. Molecular Detection of Rickettsia Spp. and Coxiella Burnetii in Cattle, Water Buffalo, and Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus) Microplus Ticks in Luzon Island of the Philippines. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5020054. [PMID: 32260468 PMCID: PMC7345074 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5020054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia and Coxiella burnetii are zoonotic, tick-borne pathogens that can cause febrile illnesses with or without other symptoms in humans, but may cause subclinical infections in animals. There are only a few reports on the occurrence of these pathogens in cattle and water buffalo in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. In this study, molecular detection of Rickettsia and C. burnetii in the blood and in the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks of cattle and water buffalo from five provinces in Luzon Island of the Philippines was done. A total of 620 blood samples of cattle and water buffalo and 206 tick samples were collected and subjected to DNA extraction. After successful amplification of control genes, nested PCR was performed to detect gltA of Rickettsia and com1 of C. burnetii. No samples were positive for Rickettsia, while 10 (cattle = 7, water buffaloes = 3), or 1.6% of blood, and five, or 1.8% of tick samples, were C. burnetii-positive. Sequence analysis of the positive amplicons showed 99-100% similarity to reported C. burnetii isolates. This molecular evidence on the occurrence of C. burnetii in Philippine ruminants and cattle ticks and its zoonotic nature should prompt further investigation and surveillance to facilitate its effective control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remil L. Galay
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines; (B.V.A.-S.); (D.M.M.C.); (L.M.O.d.C.); (C.M.A.S.); (D.K.B.C.); (K.A.C.S.); (B.P.D.)
- Correspondence: (R.L.G.); (T.T.); Tel.: +63-049-536-2728 (R.L.G.); +81-99-285-3570 (T.T.)
| | - Melbourne R. Talactac
- Department of Clinical and Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite 4122, Philippines; (M.R.T.); (F.H.G.); (J.A.B.); (J.L.V.); (L.C.B.); (C.R.A.); (E.R.M.)
| | - Bea V. Ambita-Salem
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines; (B.V.A.-S.); (D.M.M.C.); (L.M.O.d.C.); (C.M.A.S.); (D.K.B.C.); (K.A.C.S.); (B.P.D.)
| | - Dawn Maureen M. Chu
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines; (B.V.A.-S.); (D.M.M.C.); (L.M.O.d.C.); (C.M.A.S.); (D.K.B.C.); (K.A.C.S.); (B.P.D.)
| | - Lali Marie O. dela Costa
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines; (B.V.A.-S.); (D.M.M.C.); (L.M.O.d.C.); (C.M.A.S.); (D.K.B.C.); (K.A.C.S.); (B.P.D.)
| | - Cinnamon Mae A. Salangsang
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines; (B.V.A.-S.); (D.M.M.C.); (L.M.O.d.C.); (C.M.A.S.); (D.K.B.C.); (K.A.C.S.); (B.P.D.)
| | - Darwin Kyle B. Caracas
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines; (B.V.A.-S.); (D.M.M.C.); (L.M.O.d.C.); (C.M.A.S.); (D.K.B.C.); (K.A.C.S.); (B.P.D.)
| | - Florante H. Generoso
- Department of Clinical and Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite 4122, Philippines; (M.R.T.); (F.H.G.); (J.A.B.); (J.L.V.); (L.C.B.); (C.R.A.); (E.R.M.)
| | - Jonathan A. Babelonia
- Department of Clinical and Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite 4122, Philippines; (M.R.T.); (F.H.G.); (J.A.B.); (J.L.V.); (L.C.B.); (C.R.A.); (E.R.M.)
| | - Joeneil L. Vergano
- Department of Clinical and Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite 4122, Philippines; (M.R.T.); (F.H.G.); (J.A.B.); (J.L.V.); (L.C.B.); (C.R.A.); (E.R.M.)
| | - Lena C. Berana
- Department of Clinical and Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite 4122, Philippines; (M.R.T.); (F.H.G.); (J.A.B.); (J.L.V.); (L.C.B.); (C.R.A.); (E.R.M.)
| | - Kristina Andrea C. Sandalo
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines; (B.V.A.-S.); (D.M.M.C.); (L.M.O.d.C.); (C.M.A.S.); (D.K.B.C.); (K.A.C.S.); (B.P.D.)
| | - Billy P. Divina
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines; (B.V.A.-S.); (D.M.M.C.); (L.M.O.d.C.); (C.M.A.S.); (D.K.B.C.); (K.A.C.S.); (B.P.D.)
| | - Cherry R. Alvarez
- Department of Clinical and Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite 4122, Philippines; (M.R.T.); (F.H.G.); (J.A.B.); (J.L.V.); (L.C.B.); (C.R.A.); (E.R.M.)
| | - Emmanuel R. Mago
- Department of Clinical and Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite 4122, Philippines; (M.R.T.); (F.H.G.); (J.A.B.); (J.L.V.); (L.C.B.); (C.R.A.); (E.R.M.)
| | - Masako Andoh
- Laboratory of Public Health, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto 1-21-24, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan;
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto 1-21-24, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
- Correspondence: (R.L.G.); (T.T.); Tel.: +63-049-536-2728 (R.L.G.); +81-99-285-3570 (T.T.)
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Seroprevalence of Q Fever in Sheep and Goats from the Marmara Region, Turkey. J Vet Res 2019; 63:527-532. [PMID: 31934663 PMCID: PMC6950435 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2019-0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate Q fever seroprevalence in sheep and goats in the Marmara region. Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. In ruminants, the disease causes reproductive disorders, premature births and stillbirths. Material and Methods Blood samples of sheep and goats were collected from the Marmara region of Turkey and a commercial ELISA was used for detection of specific antibodies to C. burnetii. A total of 832 samples (627 from sheep and 205 from goats) obtained from 126 herds located in 110 villages in 63 municipalities across all 11 provinces were utilised. Results Total seroprevalence was found to be 13.22%, while the proportion of seropositive herds was determined to be over threefold higher at 42.85%. The seroprevalence for sheep was found to be 14.19%, and for goats 10.24%. The herd seropositivity rate for sheep of 46.31% and for goats of 32.25% were also over threefold higher than the species-level seroprevalences. The provincial seroprevalence varied between 1.38% and 21.79%. Conclusion This study confirms the presence of C. burnetii in sheep and goat herds in the Marmara region and provides original seroprevalence data in hitherto uninvestigated provinces. The data gathered are beneficial for evaluation and elaboration of the seroprevalence of Q fever in sheep and goats in the Marmara region. Surveillance studies should be maintained, particularly in provinces with high seropositivity rates.
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Coxiella burnetii Antibody Prevalence and Risk Factors of Infection in the Human Population of Estonia. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7120629. [PMID: 31795442 PMCID: PMC6956122 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7120629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever is an emerging health problem in both humans and animals. To estimate the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) antibodies in the Estonian population, we analyzed plasma samples from 1000 individuals representing the general population and 556 individual serum samples from five population groups potentially at a higher risk (veterinary professionals, dairy cattle, beef cattle, and small ruminant stockbreeders and hunters). Additionally, 118 dairy cow bulk tank milk samples were analyzed to establish the infection status of the dairy cattle herds and the participating dairy cattle keepers. Questionnaires were used to find the potential risk factors of exposure. The effects of different variables were evaluated using binary logistic regression analysis and mixed-effects logistic analysis. The prevalence in veterinary professionals (9.62%; p = 0.003) and dairy cattle farmers (7.73%; p = 0.047) was significantly higher than in the general population (3.9%). Contact with production animals in veterinary practice and being a dairy stockbreeder in C. burnetii positive farms were risk factors for testing C. burnetii seropositive (p = 0.038 and p = 0.019, respectively). Results suggest that C. burnetii is present in Estonia and the increased risk of infection in humans is associated with farm animal contact.
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Karagül MS, MALAL ME, AKAR K. Düzce İlinde Koyunlarda Coxiella burnetii ve Chlamydia abortus Etkenlerine karşı Antikorların Araştırılması. DÜZCE ÜNIVERSITESI SAĞLIK BILIMLERI ENSTITÜSÜ DERGISI 2019. [DOI: 10.33631/duzcesbed.562838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Esson C, Skerratt LF, Berger L, Malmsten J, Strand T, Lundkvist Å, Järhult JD, Michaux J, Mijiddorj TN, Bayrakçısmith R, Mishra C, Johansson Ö. Health and zoonotic Infections of snow leopards Panthera unica in the South Gobi desert of Mongolia. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2019; 9:1604063. [PMID: 31231481 PMCID: PMC6567154 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2019.1604063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Snow leopards, Panthera uncia, are a threatened apex predator, scattered across the mountains of Central and South Asia. Disease threats to wild snow leopards have not been investigated.Methods and Results: Between 2008 and 2015, twenty snow leopards in the South Gobi desert of Mongolia were captured and immobilised for health screening and radio-collaring. Blood samples and external parasites were collected for pathogen analyses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. The animals showed no clinical signs of disease, however, serum antibodies to significant zoonotic pathogens were detected. These pathogens included, Coxiella burnetii, (25% prevalence), Leptospira spp., (20%), and Toxoplasma gondii (20%). Ticks collected from snow leopards contained potentially zoonotic bacteria from the genera Bacillus, Bacteroides, Campylobacter, Coxiella, Rickettsia, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.Conclusions: The zoonotic pathogens identified in this study, in the short-term did not appear to cause illness in the snow leopards, but have caused illness in other wild felids. Therefore, surveillance for pathogens should be implemented to monitor for potential longer- term disease impacts on this snow leopard population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Esson
- One Health Research Group, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Lee F Skerratt
- Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Lee Berger
- Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jonas Malmsten
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environment Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tanja Strand
- Zoonosis Science Centre (ZSC), Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åke Lundkvist
- Zoonosis Science Centre (ZSC), Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Josef D Järhult
- Zoonosis Science Centre (ZSC), Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Michaux
- Génétique de la conservation Life Sciences, Liege, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Örjan Johansson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Riddarhyttan, Sweden.,Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle, WA, USA
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Dabaja MF, Greco G, Villari S, Vesco G, Bayan A, Bazzal BE, Ibrahim E, Gargano V, Sciacca C, Lelli R, Ezzedine M, Mortada H, Tempesta M, Mortada M. Occurrence and risk factors of Coxiella burnetii in domestic ruminants in Lebanon. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 64:109-116. [PMID: 31174685 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii causes diseases in humans (Q fever) and animals, domestic ruminants playing a major role in the epidemiology of the infection. Information on C. burnetii infection in Lebanon is scanty. In order to assess the prevalence of C. burnetii infection in ruminants, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2014. A total of 1633 sera from ruminants (865 cattle, 384 sheep and 384 goats) from 429 farms (173 cattle, 128 sheep and 128 goats), in seven provinces of Lebanon were randomly selected and assayed for the presence of antibodies. 39.86% of farms (95% CI: 35.23-44.56) resulted positive. The seroprevalence was 30.63% in Cattle-farms, 46.88% in sheep-farms and 45.31% in goat-farms. Milk samples collected from 282 seropositive animals (86 cows, 93 sheep and 103 goats) from 171 positive farms were tested by a high sensitive Real-Time PCR targeted to the IS1111 transposon of C. burnetii. The overall prevalence in farms was estimated to be 14.04%. Cattle-, sheep- and goat farm prevalence rates were 15.09%, 10% and 17.24%, respectively. The findings of the study show that C. burnetii prevalence in Lebanese domestic ruminants is related to animal species and farming practices. Indeed, the mixed herds with sheep (p < 0.01), the presence of common lambing/kidding areas (p < 0.001) in farms where the use of disinfectants was not a routine practice (p < 0.05) were identified as important risk factors. The results of the study provide baseline information for setting up herd management and public health measures for the prevention and control of Q fever in Lebanon.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Dabaja
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy; Lebanese University, Doctoral School of sciences and Technology, Beirut, Lebanon; Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Lebanon.
| | - G Greco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
| | - S Villari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Italy.
| | - G Vesco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Italy.
| | - A Bayan
- Lebanese University, Faculty of Science, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - B El Bazzal
- Republic of Lebanon Ministry of Agriculture, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - E Ibrahim
- Republic of Lebanon Ministry of Agriculture, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - V Gargano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Italy.
| | - C Sciacca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Italy.
| | - R Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Italy; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy.
| | - M Ezzedine
- Lebanese University, Doctoral School of sciences and Technology, Beirut, Lebanon; Lebanese University, Faculty of Science, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - H Mortada
- Lebanese University, Faculty of Agricultural, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - M Tempesta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
| | - M Mortada
- Lebanese University, Doctoral School of sciences and Technology, Beirut, Lebanon; Lebanese University, Faculty of Science, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Gangoliya SR, Kumar S, Alam SI, Sharma HK, Singh M, Kotwal SK, Berri M, Kamboj DV. First molecular and serological evidence of Coxiella burnetti infection among sheep and goats of Jammu province of India. Microb Pathog 2019; 130:100-103. [PMID: 30844472 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The epidemiology and prevalence of Q fever in India is largely unknown. There are very few serologic and molecular reports of Q fever in India and these are old reports. The objective of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the presence of Coxiella burnetii infection in sheep and goat flocks of Jammu province of Jammu and Kashmir, India. A total of 148 milk (110 sheep and 38 goats) samples, 282 sera (170 sheep and 112 goats), and 152 vaginal swabs (123 sheep and 29 goats) were collected from farms with incidences of repeated abortion. The LSI Q fever ruminant serum/milk ELISA kit was used to identify anti-C. burnetii antibodies and nested PCR was employed to detect DNA in vaginal swabs. Overall, 42 (38.2%; 95% CI: 29.2-47.9) sheep and 9 (23.7%; 95% CI: 12.0-40.6) goat milk samples, and 21 (12.4%; 95% CI: 8.0-18.5) sheep and 11 (9.8%; 95% CI: 5.2-17.3) goat sera were ELISA positive. In addition, nine (7.3%; 95% CI: 3.6-13.8) vaginal swabs from sheep tested positive by nested PCR; however, C. burnetii could not be found in any of the vaginal swabs from goat. These results indicate that sheep seem to be a more important reservoir of C. burnetii than goats posing a risk for human infection in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shefali Raj Gangoliya
- Division of Biotechnology, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Division of Biotechnology, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
| | - Syed Imteyaz Alam
- Division of Biotechnology, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Harsh Kumar Sharma
- Division of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Maninder Singh
- Division of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar Kotwal
- Division of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | | | - Dev Vrat Kamboj
- Division of Biotechnology, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Seroprevalence and molecular detection of coxiellosis among cattle and their human contacts in an organized dairy farm. J Infect Public Health 2019; 12:190-194. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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