First serological evidence of Q fever in large ruminants and its associated risk factors in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Coxiellosis, also known as Q fever, is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a gram-negative bacterium that exerts a significant deleterious impact on the productive and reproductive capabilities of livestock, severely effecting the economics of this sector. In this study, 448 sera samples from cattle (n = 224) and buffalo (n = 224) were collected from 112 farms in Pakistan and examined for antibodies against C. burnetii using an indirect ELISA. Ticks were also collected from these animals. Serological analysis revealed a 23.66% and 27.23% seroprevalence of Q fever in cattle and buffalo, respectively. Odds ratio (OR) analysis of the factors associated with C. burnetii seropositivity was performed, and a multivariable logistic model identified five main variables associated with the seropositivity for coxiellosis. These were: (i) the absence of acaricide use (OR 5.61; 95% CI 2.97–10.94); (ii) the presence of ticks (OR 3.23; 95% CI 1.87–5.69); (iii) the abortion history during the preceding year on the farm (OR 14.96; 95% CI 8.09–29.34); (iv) the presence of sheep and goats (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.20–5.35); and (v) the absence of a separate parturition area (OR 3.17; 95% CI 1.76–5.86). This study provides new insights into the seroprevalence of Q fever in large ruminants across seven studied districts of Punjab, Pakistan, also providing baseline data to inform improved herd management and on-farm practices for the prevention and control of Q fever in large ruminants in the region. Results of this work suggest that further molecular investigation of coxiellosis is warranted to provide a more thorough evaluation of C. burnetii epidemiology in Pakistan.

Detection and seroprevalence of Q fever infection in dairy goats in Besut district, Malaysia

“…It is noteworthy that a prior investigation revealed that the age group of animals between 1 and 2 years old saw the greatest impact following the introduction of Q fever into the herd [ 19 ]. Additionally, a study conducted in 2017 found that the prevalence of Q fever infection in Saanen goat kids was reduced at 6 months of age compared to one-year-old goats, which aligns with the findings of the current study [ 13 ]. However, a prior investigation demonstrated that the majority of Saanen goat kids, previously identified as lacking antibodies, would develop antibodies as they grew older, even in the absence of adult goats.…”

“…The occurrence of these diseases often led to financial losses due to sickness, decreased ability to reproduce, and reduced overall output [ 11 , 12 ]. Regarding goats especially, clinical symptoms of Q fever infection include events such as abortions, stillbirths, and the birth of weak offspring [ 13 , 14 ]. The investigation found that 70% of goats in the Besut District were observed to have Q fever.…”

“…However, a prior investigation demonstrated that the majority of Saanen goat kids, previously identified as lacking antibodies, would develop antibodies as they grew older, even in the absence of adult goats. This suggests that the young animals were already contained in or infected with C. burnetii before they began giving birth [ 13 ]. Coxiella burnetii may have inhabited the reproductive organs of young animals and only began to reproduce when the animals’ reproductive organs started to grow, resulting in the later onset of Q fever infection in older animals [ 20 ].…”

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Relationship between Reproductive Performance and the Presence of Antibodies against Coxiellosis in Dairy Farm Milk Tanks in the Northwest of Spain

“…Conversely, in the United States, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, higher prevalences were reported, with 90.0, 97.2, and 91.6% of herds being positive, respectively [23,49,50]. In Denmark, Iran, Pakistan, and Belgium, prevalences similar to ours were observed, with 59.0, 56.8, 58.9 and 57.9% of herds being positive [27,[51][52][53]. However, comparisons between studies using different methodologies, including different samples (blood or milk), criteria (individual or herd level), and diagnostic tests (ELISA, IFA, or PCR), are difficult to interpret [54], which highlights the importance of conducting new research to update information regarding this disease.…”

Characterization of bacterial communities in ticks parasitizing cattle in a touristic location in southwestern China

“…Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium and the agent of Q fever in humans; Q fever is a zoonotic disease widely prevalent worldwide (except for New Zealand), characterized by high infectivity and long-term environmental persistence (Long et al 2019 ; Klemmer et al 2018 ). Ticks were not considered vectors of C. burnetii previously (Abdelkadir et al 2019 ), but the results of a recent study support the link between ticks and Q fever, with the latter 3× more likely to occur where the former is found (Hussain et al 2022 ). Ticks play an important role in the wild and peridomestic cycles of C. burnetii worldwide, having been isolated from at least 40 tick species within the Ixodidae and 14 tick species of the Argasidae (Bolaños-Rivero et al 2017 ).…”