The prevalence of Coxiella burnetii (Q-fever) as a cause of abortion and infertility among farm animals in some Delta Governorates

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Mona M Sobhy, Kotb M HR, Attia E R H, Fathi A, Ahmed G Hegazi and Ashraf M A Barakat

ARRI-ARC, Egypt
National Research Centre, Egypt

: J Vet Sci Med Diagn

Abstract

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Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Prevalence in farm animals is important to public and animal health. The aim was to investigate the presence of C. burnetii in cattle, sheep and goats. We collected 360 samples consisted of pooled milk and serum 180 of each from dairy cattle (n=180) dairy goats (n=60) and dairy sheep (n=120) from Qalyubia, Monofia, Gharbia and Kafr El Sheikh Governorates. All samples were examined by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for IgG antibodies against C. burnetii phase II antigen. The prevalence of antibodies in dairy herds was 22.5 % with large regional differences. The study revealed that antibodies against C. burnetii in cattle raw milk and sera were 14.44% and 31.11% respectively, in goat raw milk and sera were 26.67% and 46.67% respectively and in sheep raw milk and sera were 21.67% and 33.33% respectively. These results denoted that the apparently healthy cattle, sheep and goats are an important reservoir of C. burnetii infection. Coxiella burnetii is shed in milk of the infected animals; therefore, their milk should not be consumed raw or sold unpasteurized directly to the consumers. Hence, pasteurization milk at 145ºF (63ºC) for at least 30 minutes or at 161ºF (72ºC) for 15 seconds is sufficient to kill C. burnetii, as well as other pathogens that could be present in raw milk. Finally, we conclude that it is of utmost importance to avoid contact with the placenta, birth products, fetal membranes, and aborted fetuses of sheep, cattle, and goats. Eat and drink only pasteurized milk and milk products. Further investigations must be done for C. burnetii infection in the aborted cases of farm animals.

Biography

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Mona M Sobhy has completed her PhD from Cairo University and has been working in Animal Reproduction Research Institute since 1983 till now. She is the Head of Department of Reproductive Diseases of Animals. She has published more than 45 papers in reputed journals and has been a Supervisor of more than 20 theses of Master and PhD.

Email: monasobhy21@yahoo.com