Seroprevalence and risk factors of Q-fever (C. burnetii infection) among ruminants reared in the eastern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Global and regional seroprevalence of coxiellosis in small ruminants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Coxiellosis is a neglected zoonosis for occupationally exposed people in many parts of the world. Sheep and goats are two important small ruminants that act as reservoirs for human contamination; however, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the epidemiological aspects of coxiellosis in sheep and goats at regional and global levels. The aim of this study was to systematically review the available articles on seroprevalence of coxiellosis in sheep and goats and estimate the overall seroprevalence in different regions.

METHODS

A systematic search strategy was performed in five electronic repositories for articles published until December 2021. Relevant data were extracted from the selected articles based on the inclusion criteria. A random effect meta-analysis model was used to analyse the data. Results are presented as the prevalence of seropositivity as a percentage and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

The global pooled seroprevalence of coxiellosis in sheep was 17.38% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.59%-19.17%). Overall, the regional level pooled prevalence estimates in sheep ranged from 15.04% (95% CI: 7.68%-22.40%) to 19.14% (95% CI: 15.51%-22.77%), depending on region. The global pooled seroprevalence of coxiellosis in goats was 22.60% (95% CI: 19.54%-25.66%). Overall, the regional level pooled prevalence estimates in goats ranged from 6.33% (95% CI: 2.96%-9.71%) to 55.13% (95% CI: 49.61%-60.65%), depending on the region. The prevalence estimates also varied significantly in both sheep and goats depending on age, sex, and rearing systems of the animals (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Seroprevalence of coxiellosis in both sheep and goats is considerable. Routine monitoring of the sheep and goat populations is needed to prevent spillover infection in other livestock and humans.

Serological investigation of Coxiella burnetii infection (Query fever) in livestock in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia

Background and Aim

Query fever (Q fever) is an endemic zoonotic disease and ruminants are considered to be the primary source of infection in humans. It is caused by Coxiella burnetii which is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen with a worldwide distribution. This study estimated the prevalence of Q fever in livestock with a history of abortion in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia.

Material and Methods

Sera from 341 camels, 326 sheep, and 121 goats of either sex from various locations (Makkah, Jeddah, AL-Taif, AL-Qunfudah, AL-Laith, and AL-Kamil) were examined using a Q fever indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Among the 788 serum samples, 356 animals had anti-Coxiella burnetii immunoglobulin G antibodies with an overall seroprevalence of 45.4%. Significant differences were observed in seroprevalence between species and locations. Camels had the highest percentage of Q fever-positive sera, with a prevalence of 50.4%, followed by goats (44.6%) and sheep (36.8%), with a high significant difference between animals (p = 0.000). The prevalence was significantly higher in Makkah (65.4%) than in Jeddah (28.8%).

Conclusion

C. burnetii infection is prevalent in agricultural animals, especially camels maintained at livestock farms in Makkah province. Therefore, these animals considered as the main source of Q fever infections in Saudi Arabia, which is also a reason for the abortion in these animals. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further studies on Q fever infection with interventional approaches for prevention and control.

Acute Q fever in an Omani presenting with a febrile movement disorder - A Case Report

Q fever is a zoonotic infection caused by the organism Coxiella burnetii. It is transmitted by contracting the organism from it is most known reservoirs which include cattle, sheep, and goats. It is an endemic disease with very few cases reported in the Arabian Peninsula. It can present with a wide range of clinical presentations; however, the neurological manifestation of Q fever is rare and overlooked hence we present a case report of a 38-year-old man who presented with fever, headache, and jerky movements. He had a significant exposure to livestock animals mainly goats and sheep. The work up was negative apart from positive Coxiella burnetii serology and serum PCR suggestive of acute Q fever. He had shown remarkable improvement after a course of antimicrobial therapy with complete resolution of fever and neurological symptoms. Our case report highlights the importance considering Q fever as a cause of unusual neurological symptoms in Q fever endemic areas and patients with a significant zoonotic exposure.

Seroprevalence and Risks Factors Associated with Coxiella burnetii Infection in Slaughterhouse Zebu Cattle (Bos indicus) from Northern Regions of Cameroon

A study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risks factors of Coxiella burnetii in zebu cattle from the northern regions of Cameroon. From a total of 2016 (1754 females and 262 males) sera sampled, 801, 762 and 453 were collected, respectively, from Adamawa, North and Far North, and screened for Coxiella burnetii using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). A total of 23.76% (479/2016) were serologically positive. The seroprevalence of Adamawa, North and Far North were 29.09% (233/801), 19.95% (152/762) and 20.75% (94/453); respectively. The seropositivity of male and female were 4.58% and 26.62%; respectively. Cattle from Adamawa region were more likely to have been exposed to C. burnetii than animals from Far North region (OR = 3.28; 95%CI: 1.13-7.85; p = 0.02). The Gudali breed was significantly more infected than Aku (OR =2.52; 95%CI: 1.06-5.99; p = 0.03), and animals aged of (6-9) years were 1.89 times more likely to have been infected to C. burnetii than young animals (p = 0.03). The seropositivity to this bacterium was significantly associated to pregnant cattle than non-pregnant (OR = 1.71; 95%CI: 1.01-2.90; p = 0.04). Female cattle were more likely to have been infected by C. burnetii than male and the rainy season were 1.66 more associated to this disease than dry season. The linear regression model indicated that C. burnetii seropositivity were positively correlated to the regions (0.09, CI: 0.04; 0.18; p = 0.007), age (0.01, CI: -0.01; 0.04; p = 0.02), sex (0.19, CI: 0.08-0.32, p = 0.001) and physiological status (0.11, CI: -0.04; 0.26; p = 0.006). This study revealed that C. burnetii infection is widespread among zebu cattle of Adamawa, North and Far North of Cameroon.

Genetic diversity of wild rodents and detection of Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, in Saudi Arabia

Throughout history, wildlife has been regarded as a major source of infectious diseases. Rodentia, the most speciose order of mammals, whose members are recognised hosts of more than 60 zoonotic diseases, represent a potential threat to human health. Recently, epidemiological data from Saudi Arabia indicated an actual growth in the number of emerging and/or re-emerging cases of several zoonoses. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the molecular taxonomy of rodents and the pathogens they may harbour in this region. In this study, the first molecular characterisation of six rodent taxa in this region is provided, based on partial Cyt B and 16S genes. The data confirm the spread of rodent-associated C. burnetii strains in Jazan, southwestern Saudi Arabia. The PCR targeting IS111, the multi-copy transposase gene, revealed 17.5% (36/205) positive samples, whereas the second nested PCR, targeting the single-copy Com1 gene, revealed 16.6% (34/205) positive samples. Phylogenetic and network analyses indicated the presence of four haplotypes of C. burnetii within the studied localities. One major haplotype (H-2) was observed in all rodent species and from 18 localities. The infection rates of C. burnetii among studied species, localities and habitats were not significantly different (>0.05). Our results facilitate the assessment of the health risk associated with rodents and the development of strategies to control the increasing impacts of Q fever.

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

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

Seroepidemiological study on Coxiella burnetii and associated risk factors in ruminants at Kurdistan Province, west of Iran

Q fever is zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. Ruminants are the main reservoir of this pathogen, which is often asymptomatic but lead to abortion. This study aims to survey the seroprevalence and risk factors of this zoonose among ruminants in Kurdistan province, the west of Iran. 480 blood samples were collected from ruminants including sheep, goats and cows, each 160 samples, in the age groups of <1, ≥1-3, >3-5 year with and without the history of abortion in two groups border and non-border cities in Kurdistan province. Serums were tested by use of indirect ELISA to determine specific antibodies against C. burnetii. The results indicate the seroprevalence of 46.6 % for Q fever. Seroprevalence in sheep, goats and cows were 28.58 % (n = 64), 45.53 % (n = 102) and 25.89 % (n = 58), respectively. Seroprevalence is significantly higher in animals with abortion than in those without such history (P < 0.05). The seroprevalence in the border cities has been significantly higher than other geographical areas (P < 0.05). Seroprevalence had no significant correlation with animal age (P> 0.05). This study is the first seroepidemiological study done on Q fever in ruminants of Kurdistan province, Iran. The results indicate the high seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in the area under the study. Therefore, doing an epidemiologically study aimed at isolating C. brunetii in the human population of Kurdistan province is recommended, so that the epidemiological aspect of this pathogen in the people of Kurdistan province be clarified and subsequently disease control and prevention programs be applied.

Flock Management Risk Factors Associated with Q Fever Infection in Sheep in Saudi Arabia

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), an intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium that infects humans and domestic ruminants. Information on flock management factors associated with Q fever seropositivity in Saudi Arabia is very scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the animal and flock management factors associated with Q fever seropositivity. For the assessment of risk factors, a case-control study was carried out. Cases (n = 25) were flocks that had recent abortions within the previous two weeks and were PCR positive for C. burnetii. Control flocks (n = 25) had no history of recent abortion and were PCR negative for C. burnetii. A questionnaire was developed to collect information about the flock management risk factors possibly associated with Q fever exposure in sheep. A total of 2437 sheep serum samples, collected from infected (n = 1610, 10-150 samples/flock) and non-infected (n = 827, 10-65 samples/flock) flocks, were tested for C. burnetii antibodies using a commercial ELISA kit between May 2018 and April 2019. In addition, 521 samples, including 50 aborted materials, 173 vaginal swabs, 134 faecal, and 164 milk samples, were collected for PCR testing. Infected flocks were 100% seropositive (within-flock seroprevalence ranging between 13.8% and 60%) and 100% PCR positive (with animal shedders of C. burnetii through aborted materials and/or vaginal fluids, feces, and milk). However, in non-infected control flocks, 28% were seropositive (within-flock seroprevalence ranging between 6.7% and 20%) and none had C. burnetii shedders. Epidemiological data were analyzed using mixed-effect logistic regression with a random effect for the flock. The results identified three protective factors: flocks with a lambing pen (odds ratio (OR): 0.46; 95% CI: 0.28-0.76), change bedding after removing aborted materials (OR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.23-0.76), and flocks that isolated aborted ewes (OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.25-0.67), as well as two risk factors: flocks infested with ticks (OR: 2.78; 95% CI: 1.65-4.70) and flocks with a history of Q fever (OR: 3.03; 95% CI: 1.42-6.50). These results could be used to improve sheep flock biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction and reduce exposure of sheep and humans to Q fever infection.