An update on a serologic survey of Q fever in domestic animals in Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies among goat and dairy cattle herds in southeast Iran. A total of 169 sera (76 caprine samples from 9 goat flocks and 93 bovine samples from 12 dairy herds) were collected randomly. The CHEKIT Q fever ELISA kit was used to identify specific antibodies against C. burnetii in goats and cattle. The results showed that 35.5% (N = 60) of all sera were positive. Goats had a significantly higher average seroprevalence (65.78%) than cattle (10.75%). All of the goat herds and only two dairy cattle herds were positive. This study represents an update on Q fever prevalence in Iran. Goats seem to be a more important risk for human infection in this area than cattle. C. burnetii would be a potent candidate for goat abortion in this region and other nearby provinces. Copyright © 2009 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.