Abstract
BackgroundQ fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram negative bacterium present worldwide. Small ruminants are considered the main reservoirs for infection of humans. This study aimed to estimate the extent of C. burnetii infection among sheep and goats in part of The Gambia.Methodology/Principal FindingsThis survey was carried out from March to May 2012 at two areas in The Gambia. The first area comprised a cluster of seven rural villages situated 5–15 km west of Farafenni as well as the local abattoir. A second sampling was done at the central abattoir in Abuko (30 km from the capital, Banjul) in the Western Region. Serum samples were obtained from 490 goats and 398 sheep. In addition, 67 milk samples were obtained from lactating dams. Sera were tested with a Q fever ELISA kit. C. burnetii DNA was extracted from milk samples and then detected using a specific quantitative multiplex PCR assay, targeting the IS1111a element. A multivariable mixed logistic regression model was used to examine the relationship between seropositivity and explanatory variables. An overall seroprevalence of 21.6% was found. Goats had a significantly higher seroprevalence than sheep, respectively 24.2% and 18.5%. Seropositive animals were significantly older than seronegative animals. Animals from the villages had a significantly lower seroprevalence than animals from the central abattoir (15.1% versus 29.1%). C. burnetii DNA was detected in 2 out of 67 milk samples, whereas 8 samples gave a doubtful result.Conclusion/SignificanceA substantial C. burnetii seroprevalence in sheep and goats in The Gambia was demonstrated. People living in close proximity to small ruminants are exposed to C. burnetii. Q fever should be considered as a possible cause of acute febrile illness in humans in The Gambia. Future studies should include a simultaneous assessment of veterinary and human serology, and include aetiology of febrile illness in local clinics.
Highlights
Malaria has long been presumed to be the overwhelming cause of febrile illness in humans in sub-Saharan Africa
In The Gambia, during the 2008 malaria season, only 11% (24/224) of febrile episodes detected during 22 weeks follow up of a cohort of 800 children in Farafenni area were due to malaria [4]
Q fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram negative bacterium present worldwide [9]
Summary
Malaria has long been presumed to be the overwhelming cause of febrile illness in humans in sub-Saharan Africa. Miss-diagnosis of presumed clinical malaria might be present, which threatens the sustainability of currently effective antimalarial treatment, while treatable bacterial diseases that cause febrile illness are likely to be missed [2,5]. The few studies that have been done show that these treatable bacterial diseases are often emerging or neglected zoonoses, such as Q fever [5], brucellosis [6], African tick-bite fever [7] and leptospirosis [8]. It is important to get better insight into the extent of the problem of these zoonoses in the human and animal populations of sub Saharan Africa. This study aimed to estimate the extent of C. burnetii infection among sheep and goats in part of The Gambia
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
