Abstract
Ruminants are considered the commonest animal reservoir for human infection of Coxiella burnetii, the Q fever causative agent. Considering the recently described importance of human Q fever in Greece, we aimed at providing the first comprehensive direct evidence of C. burnetii in dairy cows in Greece, including the genetic characterization of strains. The 462 examined dairy farms represented all geographical areas of Greece. One bulk tank milk sample was collected from every farm and tested for the presence of C. burnetii. Molecular genotyping of strains, performed directly on samples, revealed the existence of two separate clades characterized by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes of type 1 and type 2. The two clades were clearly distinguished in multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) by two discriminative loci: MS30 and MS28. Whereas MLVA profiles of SNP-type 2 clade were closely related to strains described in other European cattle populations, the MLVA profile observed within the SNP type 1 clade highlighted a peculiar genetic signature for Greece, related to genotypes found in sheep and goats in Europe. The shedding of C. burnetii bearing this genotype might have yet undefined human epidemiological consequences. Surveillance of the genetic distribution of C. burnetii from different sources is needed to fully understand the epidemiology of Q fever in Greece.
Highlights
Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever in humans, is a well-documented intracellular gram-negative γ-proteobacterium, prevalent in the Mediterranean area [1], and recognized as endemic worldwide, except in New Zealand [2]
This paper reports the first comprehensive C. burnetii prevalence investigation in dairy cows in Greece with advanced molecular techniques
The results revealed that C. burnetii is widespread in dairy cattle herds in Greece, showing a similar situation to that described in other countries
Summary
The causative agent of Q fever in humans, is a well-documented intracellular gram-negative γ-proteobacterium, prevalent in the Mediterranean area [1], and recognized as endemic worldwide, except in New Zealand [2]. The SCV is the form with enhanced stability in the environment and the form ensuring transmission through the aerosol route [3]. C. burnetii is a pathogen detected in various species throughout the animal kingdom [4], but ruminants (sheep, goats, and cattle) are considered the most common animal reservoir for human infection [5]. Contaminated particles in the form of aerosols are considered the main route of transmission to humans [7]. Q fever can manifest as an acute or chronic illness. Q fever is associated with late abortions and reproductive disorders such as premature birth, delivery of dead or weak offspring, metritis, and infertility [8], in the majority of cases, infection remains subclinical and asymptomatic [9]. C. burnetii is a cause of economic losses in cattle and is a public health concern in general
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