Seroprevalence and assessment of risk-factors associated with Coxiellosis in cattle in Toukh, Qalubyia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt

2 Department of Reproductive Diseases, Animal Reproduction Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza,

Abstract

Q fever or Coxiellosis is a worldwide zoonotic bacterial disease caused by Coxiella burnetii organism. Coxiellosis incriminated in a pronounced economic impact on the veterinary industry, along with presenting serious public health hazards among human. This current study was conducted during the period from October 2022 to December 2023 to assess the seroprevalence and the possible risk factors associated with C. burnetii infection in cattle in Toukh, Qalubyia governorate. The historical background of cattle under investigation indicated contact with small ruminants, and occurrences of reproductive disorder as abortions and stillbirths. Moreover, clinical investigation of animals revealed presence of tick infestation. A commercial ELISA kit (IDEXX) was utilized in the current study and the recorded overall seroprevalence rate of C. burnetii infection was 47%. Moreover, the statistical analysis also revealed that Coxiellosis is significantly associated with numerous risk factors including: the breed of animal, age, contact with small ruminants, and infestation with ticks. These findings indicate that C. burnetii is widely spread in cattle in Toukh, Qalubyia governorate. In conclusion, we recommended establishment of sanitary measures and an appropriate preventive strategy to reduce the spreading of the C. burnetii infection among farm animals and human in Qalubyia governorate.

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