Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in clinically healthy German sheep flocks

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Current epidemiological data on the situation of <it>Coxiella (C.) burnetii </it>infections in sheep are missing, making risk assessment and the implementation of counteractive measures difficult. Using the German state of Thuringia as a model example, the estimated sero-, and antigen prevalence of <it>C. burnetii </it>(10% and 25%, respectively) was assessed at flock level in 39/252 randomly selected clinically healthy sheep flocks with more than 100 ewes and unknown abortion rate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The CHECKIT™ Q-fever Test Kit identified 11 (28%) antibody positive herds, whereas real-time PCR revealed the presence of <it>C. burnetii </it>DNA in 2 (5%) of the flocks. Multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeats analysis of 9 isolates obtained from one flock revealed identical profiles. All isolates contained the plasmid QpH1.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results demonstrate that <it>C. burnetii </it>is present in clinically inconspicuous sheep flocks and sporadic flare-ups do occur as the notifications to the German animal disease reporting system show. Although <it>C. burnetii </it>infections are not a primary veterinary concern due to the lack of significant clinical impact on animal health (with the exception of goats), the eminent zoonotic risk for humans should not be underestimated. Therefore, strategies combining the interests of public and veterinary public health should include monitoring of flocks, the identification and culling of shedders as well as the administration of protective vaccines.</p

Seroprevalence of Q fever (coxiellosis) in sheep from the Southern Marmara Region, Turkey.

International audienceLittle information is available in Turkey on Q fever, a zoonose caused by Coxiella burnetii and transmitted from domestic ruminants. This study aimed at investigating the seroprevalence in sheep flocks from three provinces (Bursa, Balikesir and Canakkale). Serosurvey was undertaken on 42 flocks, which were categorised by sizes. Sera were collected randomly from specific age groups within the young population. CHEKIT Q-fever ELISA kit was used to identify the infection in sheep. The results showed that 20% (n=151) of sheep were seropositive. A total of 34 flocks (81%) revealed at least one seropositive animal. Higher seroprevalence was observed in Balikesir region. Larger flocks resulted more infected than medium and small flocks. An association was found between seropositivity and age, when the primiparous ewes (1-year old) had higher antibodies rates than newborn sheep (aged less than 10 months) or biparous ewes (2 years old). These results showed that Q fever infection was common and circulating in the studied region, hence encourage efforts to propose measures that could reduce the spread and the zoonotic risk

Prevalence of enzootic bovine leukosis in the South Marmara Region and observations of some management practices

Seven hundred seventeen cattle, over the age of six months in the South Marmara Region (Bursa, Bahkesir and Canakkale) were tested for the presence of Bovine leukemia Virus (BLV)-antibody with ELISA. Blood and milk samples were taken from 362 and 355 cattle, respectively. Totally, sixty-nine cattle (9.62%) were found to be carriers of antibodies against BLV-gp 51 antigen. The BLV infection rate was found to be 13.25% and 5.91% in the sera and milk samples tested, respectively. The infection rate were determined to be 14.19% in Bursa and 3.52% in Bahkesir, but BLV seropositive cattle were not found in Canakkale. It was observed that the highest infection rate was in the Karacabey provincial region of Bursa

Seroepidemiological survey of Rhodoccocus equi infection in asymptomatic horses from Bursa, Izmir and Istanbul provinces, Turkey

In order to assess the Rhodococcus equi infection in three provinces of Turkey (Bursa, Izmir and Istanbul), 696 sera from healthy foals and adult horses were tested by indirect ELISA using a R. equi reference strain (ATCC 6939) as antigen. 103 sera (14.80%) with titres &gt; 0.646 resulted positive. Seroprevalence was significantly higher (P=0.0053) in male than in female horses of Istanbul province, although higher antibody titres (mean value) were observed in the female group of Bursa and Izmir provinces with differences estimated between provinces(P=0.0002). Seroprevalence was correlated with age: foals aged less than 1 year (P&lt;10-4) and horses from 5 to 10 years old (P=0.018) resulted more infected in Bursa and Izmir provinces. Our findings indicate that R. equi infection actually occurs in all investigated provinces, suggesting the importance of serological survey to diagnose the infection and to prevent the zoonotic risk

Seroepidemiological survey of Rhodoccocus equi infection in asymptomatic horses from Bursa, Izmir and Istanbul provinces, Turkey

In order to assess the Rhodococcus equi infection in three provinces of Turkey (Bursa, Izmir and Istanbul), 696 sera from healthy foals and adult horses were tested by indirect ELISA using a R. equi reference strain (ATCC 6939) as antigen. 103 sera (14.80%) with titres > 0.646 resulted positive. Seroprevalence was significantly higher (P = 0.0053) in male than in female horses of Istanbul province, although higher antibody titres (mean value) were observed in the female group of Bursa and Izmir provinces with differences estimated between provinces (P = 0.0002). Seroprevalence was correlated with age: foals aged less than 1 year (p < 10-4) and horses from 5 to 10 years old (P = 0.018) resulted more infected in Bursa and Izmir provinces. Our findings indicate that R. equi infection actually occurs in all investigated provinces, suggesting the importance of scrological survey to diagnose the infection and to prevent the zoonotic risk. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved