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Ahmad K, Mustaffa NDAN, Azmi NS, Zainal Ariffin SM, Bin Ghazali MF, Ibrahim NS. Detection and seroprevalence of Q fever infection in dairy goats in Besut district, Malaysia. J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11:231-236. [PMID: 39101099 PMCID: PMC11296184 DOI: 10.5455/javar.2024.k768] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Q fever and its association with age and gender among Saanen dairy goats in Malaysia. Materials and Methods One hundred dairy goats (n = 100) aged 6 months to 6 years were randomly selected, and blood samples were collected for serological analysis using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results The results revealed a seropositive rate of 70% among the goats, with medium-positive titers being the most common. The prevalence of Q fever varied among different age groups, with higher rates observed in adult goats aged between 5 and 6 years. Gender analysis showed that males had a higher positive rate (p < 0.05) of Q fever compared to females. Conclusion These findings strongly indicate the presence of Coxiella burnetii in the dairy goat population and highlight the importance of implementing biosecurity measures and control strategies to prevent further transmission of this disease. This research has contributed to a better understanding of Q fever epidemiology and provides insights for effective control and prevention strategies in dairy goat populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khairunnisa Ahmad
- School of Animal Science, Aquatic Science and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Malaysia
| | - Nik Danial Asyraf Nik Mustaffa
- School of Animal Science, Aquatic Science and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Malaysia
| | - Nur Syafiqa Azmi
- School of Animal Science, Aquatic Science and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Malaysia
| | - Siti Mariam Zainal Ariffin
- Department of Veterinary Pre-Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Faizal Bin Ghazali
- School of Animal Science, Aquatic Science and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Malaysia
| | - Noor Syaheera Ibrahim
- School of Animal Science, Aquatic Science and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Malaysia
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Ahaduzzaman M, Reza MMB. Global and regional seroprevalence of coxiellosis in small ruminants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1441. [PMID: 38613179 PMCID: PMC11015088 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1441] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Ahaduzzaman
- Department of Medicine & SurgeryChattogram Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (CVASU)ChattogramBangladesh
| | - Md Moktadir Billah Reza
- Department of Medicine & SurgeryChattogram Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (CVASU)ChattogramBangladesh
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Mohabati Mobarez A, Baseri N, Khalili M, Mostafavi E, Esmaeili S. Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis of Coxiella burnetii in domestic ruminant and clinical samples in Iran: insights into Q fever epidemiology. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20374. [PMID: 37990125 PMCID: PMC10663619 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47920-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii, a zoonotic pathogen, is the causative agent of Q fever, an endemic disease in Iran. However, there is currently a lack of available data on the genotypes of C. burnetii in the country. Here, we typed 26 C. burnetii isolates detected in milk, abortion, cotylodon, and cardiac valve samples from various geographical areas and hosts (7 cattle, 8 goats, 10 sheep, and 1 human) using Multilocus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA/VNTR) with five loci:ms24, ms27, ms28, ms33, and ms34. As IS1111 was observed to be spontaneously inserted in locus ms23 across all of our examined C. burnetii samples, five loci were employed for MLVA/VNTR genotyping. Among the 26 C. burnetii strains, 22 distinct genotypes (A-V) were identified in the discriminative loci. In silico analysis categorized Iranian C. burnetii strains into five genomic groups along with seven singletons, representing 11 exiting clonal complexes worldwide. Clusters 10 and 11 exclusively consisted of Iranian samples. These findings revealed high genotyping diversity among C. burnetii isolates in Iran. The genotypes circulating in Iran differed significantly from those found in other regions worldwide. To gain a comprehensive understanding of Q fever epidemiology in Iran, it is crucial to conduct large-scale studies that assess the distribution of C. burnetii genotypes across different geographical areas, hosts, and sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Mohabati Mobarez
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Baseri
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar-Ahang, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Khalili
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ehsan Mostafavi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar-Ahang, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Saber Esmaeili
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar-Ahang, Hamadan, Iran.
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Bauer BU, Knittler MR, Andrack J, Berens C, Campe A, Christiansen B, Fasemore AM, Fischer SF, Ganter M, Körner S, Makert GR, Matthiesen S, Mertens-Scholz K, Rinkel S, Runge M, Schulze-Luehrmann J, Ulbert S, Winter F, Frangoulidis D, Lührmann A. Interdisciplinary studies on Coxiella burnetii: From molecular to cellular, to host, to one health research. Int J Med Microbiol 2023; 313:151590. [PMID: 38056089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2023.151590] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The Q-GAPS (Q fever GermAn interdisciplinary Program for reSearch) consortium was launched in 2017 as a German consortium of more than 20 scientists with exceptional expertise, competence, and substantial knowledge in the field of the Q fever pathogen Coxiella (C.) burnetii. C. burnetii exemplifies as a zoonotic pathogen the challenges of zoonotic disease control and prophylaxis in human, animal, and environmental settings in a One Health approach. An interdisciplinary approach to studying the pathogen is essential to address unresolved questions about the epidemiology, immunology, pathogenesis, surveillance, and control of C. burnetii. In more than five years, Q-GAPS has provided new insights into pathogenicity and interaction with host defense mechanisms. The consortium has also investigated vaccine efficacy and application in animal reservoirs and identified expanded phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of C. burnetii and their epidemiological significance. In addition, conceptual principles for controlling, surveilling, and preventing zoonotic Q fever infections were developed and prepared for specific target groups. All findings have been continuously integrated into a Web-based, interactive, freely accessible knowledge and information platform (www.q-gaps.de), which also contains Q fever guidelines to support public health institutions in controlling and preventing Q fever. In this review, we will summarize our results and show an example of how an interdisciplinary consortium provides knowledge and better tools to control a zoonotic pathogen at the national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin U Bauer
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael R Knittler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Immunology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jennifer Andrack
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Berens
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Jena, Germany
| | - Amely Campe
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, (IBEI), WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bahne Christiansen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Immunology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Akinyemi M Fasemore
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; ZB MED - Information Centre for Life Science, Cologne, Germany
| | - Silke F Fischer
- Landesgesundheitsamt Baden-Württemberg, Ministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit und Integration, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sophia Körner
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gustavo R Makert
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Svea Matthiesen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Immunology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Katja Mertens-Scholz
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany
| | - Sven Rinkel
- Institut für Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Martin Runge
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Schulze-Luehrmann
- Institut für Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ulbert
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Fenja Winter
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, (IBEI), WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Frangoulidis
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; Bundeswehr Medical Service Headquarters VI-2, Medical Intelligence & Information, Munich, Germany
| | - Anja Lührmann
- Institut für Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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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Bauer BU, Schwecht KM, Jahnke R, Matthiesen S, Ganter M, Knittler MR. Humoral and cellular immune responses in sheep following administration of different doses of an inactivated phase I vaccine against Coxiella burnetii. Vaccine 2023:S0264-410X(23)00746-6. [PMID: 37357077 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.06.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
An inactivated Coxiella burnetii Phase I (PhI) vaccine (Coxevac®) is licensed in several European countries for goats and cattle to prevent coxiellosis. The vaccine is also applied to sheep, although detailed information about the ovine immune response and vaccine dose is missing. Eighteen gimmers from a C. burnetii unsuspected flock were randomly divided into three groups of six. Group 1 (Cox1) and 2 (Cox2) were vaccinated twice with 1 ml and 2 ml Coxevac®, respectively, three weeks apart (primary vaccination). The same procedure was applied with Cox3 (2 ml sodium chloride, control group). A third injection (booster) was performed after nine months. Potential side effects were determined by measuring the rectal body temperature and skin thickness at the injection site. Blood samples were collected to detect phase-specific IgM and IgG antibodies and interferon-ɣ (IFN-ɣ) release by immunofluorescence assay and ELISAs, respectively. Moreover, a cell infection neutralization assay determined the appearance of neutralizing sera. Body temperatures increased for one day post vaccination, and the skin swelled only slightly. Regardless of the vaccine volume, immunized sheep reacted first with an IgM and IgG PhII response. Ten weeks after the primary vaccination, IgG PhI antibodies predominated. Boosting eight months after primary vaccination resulted in a robust IgG PhI increase and strong IFN-ɣ response. In the vaccinated animals, the neutralizing effect is more widespread after the administration of 1 ml than after the treatment with 2 ml. In summary, differences between 1 and 2 ml Coxevac® are minor, and a vaccine volume of 1 ml seems to be sufficient. A booster after the primary vaccination is apparently necessary to stimulate the cell-mediated immune response in naïve sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin U Bauer
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Kay M Schwecht
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Rico Jahnke
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald - Isle of Riems, Germany.
| | - Svea Matthiesen
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald - Isle of Riems, Germany.
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Michael R Knittler
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald - Isle of Riems, Germany.
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Yanmaz B, Ozgen EK. Detection of Coxiella burnetii and characterisation by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis in bovine bulk tank milk samples. VET MED-CZECH 2023; 68:185-190. [PMID: 37982024 PMCID: PMC10581528 DOI: 10.17221/87/2022-vetmed] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is the aetiological agent of Q fever, which is highly prevalent in Turkiye, but information on the genetic profiles of the bacterium is limited. This study aimed to investigate the presence of C. burnetii in bovine bulk tank milk (BTM) samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to investigate the genotypes by means of multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). A total of 25 markets that sold raw cow's milk were analysed by conventional PCR analysis. An MLVA analysis was performed at six loci, namely MS23, MS24, MS27, MS28, MS33, and MS34, to determine the genotypic variations of C. burnetii found in the positive DNA samples. The DNA of C. burnetii was detected in 16% of the BTM samples. The C. burnetii strains identified in the bovine milk samples collected in this study were found to belong to the same genotypic group as those detected in the bovine milk samples gathered in Greece. As a result, both the presence and genotyping studies of C. burnetii on the BTM samples in Turkiye will contribute to the determination of the geographical distribution of the agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berna Yanmaz
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkiye
| | - Ediz Kagan Ozgen
- Erzurum Veterinary Control Institute, Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Erzurum, Turkiye
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Bauer BU, Schoneberg C, Herms TL, Kleinschmidt S, Runge M, Ganter M. Impact of Coxiella burnetii vaccination on humoral immune response, vaginal shedding, and lamb mortality in naturally pre-infected sheep. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1064763. [PMID: 36601330 PMCID: PMC9807230 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1064763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sheep are considered to be one of the main reservoirs for Coxiella burnetii, a gram-negative bacterium with high zoonotic potential. Infected sheep shed tremendous amounts of the pathogen through birth products which caused human Q fever epidemics in several countries. Information about the impact of an inactivated C. burnetii Phase I vaccine on humoral immune response, vaginal shedding, and lamb mortality in naturally pre-infected sheep is scarce. Methods Two identically managed and naturally C. burnetii-infected sheep flocks were examined for two lambing seasons (2019 and 2020). One flock (VAC) received a primary vaccination against Q fever before mating and the second flock served as control (CTR). In each flock, one cohort of 100 ewes was included in follow-up investigations. Serum samples at eight different sampling dates were analyzed by C. burnetii phase-specific ELISAs to differentiate between the IgG Phase I and II responses. Vaginal swabs were collected within three days after parturition and examined by a C. burnetii real-time PCR (IS1111). Lamb losses were recorded to calculate lamb mortality parameters. Results After primary vaccination, almost all animals from cohort VAC showed a high IgG Phase I response up until the end of the study period. In cohort CTR, the seropositivity rate varied from 35.1% to 66.3%, and the Phase I and Phase II pattern showed an undulating trend with higher IgG Phase II activity during both lambing seasons. The number of vaginal shedders was significantly reduced in cohort VAC compared to cohort CTR during the lambing season in 2019 (p < 0.0167). There was no significant difference of vaginal shedders in 2020. The total lamb losses were low in both cohorts during the two investigated lambing seasons (VAC 2019: 6.8%, 2020: 3.2%; CTR 2019: 1.4%, 2020: 2.7%). Discussion Neither the C. burnetii vaccine nor the C. burnetii infection seem to have an impact on lamb mortality. Taken together, the inactivated C. burnetii Phase I vaccine induced a strong IgG Phase I antibody response in naturally pre-infected sheep. It might also reduce vaginal shedding in the short term but seems to have little beneficial impact on lamb mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Ulrich Bauer
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany,*Correspondence: Benjamin Ulrich Bauer
| | - Clara Schoneberg
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Thea Louise Herms
- Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Hanover, Germany
| | - Sven Kleinschmidt
- Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Hanover, Germany
| | - Martin Runge
- Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Hanover, Germany
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
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Seroprevalence and Risks Factors Associated with Coxiella burnetii Infection in Slaughterhouse Zebu Cattle ( Bos indicus) from Northern Regions of Cameroon. EPIDEMIOLOGIA (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 3:434-442. [PMID: 36547254 PMCID: PMC9778544 DOI: 10.3390/epidemiologia3040033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
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.
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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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Surveillance of Coxiella burnetii Shedding in Three Naturally Infected Dairy Goat Herds after Vaccination, Focusing on Bulk Tank Milk and Dust Swabs. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9030102. [PMID: 35324830 PMCID: PMC8950187 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9030102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever outbreaks on three dairy goat farms (A–C) were monitored after the animals had been vaccinated with an inactivated Coxiella burnetii phase I vaccine. The antibody response was measured before vaccination by serum samples with two C. burnetii phase-specific ELISAs to characterize the disease status. Shedding was determined by vaginal swabs during three kidding seasons and monthly bulk tank milk (BTM) samples. Dust swabs from one windowsill of each barn and from the milking parlors were collected monthly to evaluate the indoor exposure. These samples were analyzed by qPCR. The phase-specific serology revealed an acute Q fever infection in herd A, whereas herds B and C had an ongoing and past infection, respectively. In all three herds, vaginal shedders were present during three kidding seasons. In total, 50%, 69%, and 15% of all collected BTM samples were C. burnetii positive in herds A, B, and C, respectively. Barn dust contained C. burnetii DNA in 71%, 45%, and 50% of examined swabs collected from farms A, B, and C, respectively. The largest number of C. burnetii positive samples was obtained from the milking parlor (A: 91%, B: 72%, C: 73%), indicating a high risk for humans to acquire Q fever during milking activity.
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