Abstract
The main reservoir of Coxiella (C.) burnetii are ruminants. They shed the pathogen through birth products, vaginal mucus, faeces and milk. A direct comparison of C. burnetii excretions between naturally infected sheep and goats was performed on the same farm to investigate species-specific differences. The animals were vaccinated with an inactivated C. burnetii phase I vaccine at the beginning of the study period for public health reasons. Vaginal and rectal swabs along with milk specimens were taken monthly during the lambing period and once again at the next lambing season. To estimate the environmental contamination of the animals’ housings, nasal swabs from every animal were taken simultaneously. Moreover, dust samples from the windowsills and straw beddings were collected. All samples were examined by qPCR targeting the IS1111 gene and the MLVA/VNTR typing method was performed. Whole genome sequencing was applied to determine the number of IS1111 copies followed by a calculation of C. burnetii genome equivalents of each sample. The cattle-associated genotype C7 was detected containing 29 IS1111 copies. Overall, goats seem to shed more C. burnetii through vaginal mucus and in particular shed more and for longer via the rectal route than sheep. This is supported by the larger quantities of C. burnetii DNA detected in caprine nasal swabs and environmental samples compared to the ovine ones. Transmission of C. burnetii from cattle to small ruminants must also be considered.
Highlights
Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular bacterium with a high zoonotic potential causing serious health problems, like pneumonia and endocarditis in humans [1]
Goats seem to shed more C. burnetii through vaginal mucus and in particular shed more and for longer via the rectal route than sheep. This is supported by the larger quantities of C. burnetii DNA detected in caprine nasal swabs and environmental samples compared to the ovine ones
In the Netherlands, several abortion waves on dairy goat farms were responsible for the largest human Q fever outbreak worldwide [10]
Summary
Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular bacterium with a high zoonotic potential causing serious health problems, like pneumonia and endocarditis in humans [1]. Infected mammals shed large amounts of the pathogen during abortion or normal delivery through birth products. Pathogens 2020, 9, 652 shed through vaginal mucus, faeces and milk for several months [2,3,4]. The highly contagious pathogen infects animals and humans through the inhalation of contaminated aerosols or dust and no direct contact to shedders is necessary. Sheep and goats are the main reservoirs for the pathogen and the herd prevalence is over 30% in several countries [5,6,7]. Small ruminants are the major source for many human Q fever epidemics in Europe [8]. In the Netherlands, several abortion waves on dairy goat farms were responsible for the largest human Q fever outbreak worldwide [10]
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