Detection of Coxiella burnetii and characterisation by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis in bovine bulk tank milk samples.

Abstract

Coxiella burnetii is the aetiological agent of Q fever, which is highly prevalent in Turkiye, but information on the genetic profiles of the bacterium is limited. This study aimed to investigate the presence of C.burnetii in bovine bulk tank milk (BTM) samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and toinvestigate the genotypes bymeans ofmultiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Atotal of25markets that sold raw cow's milk were analysed byconventional PCR analysis. AnMLVA analysis was performed atsix loci, namely MS23, MS24, MS27, MS28, MS33, and MS34, todetermine the genotypic variations ofC.burnetii found inthepositive DNA samples. The DNA ofC.burnetii was detected in16% ofthe BTM samples. The C.burnetii strains identified inthe bovine milk samples collectedinthis study were found tobelong tothe same genotypic group asthose detected inthe bovine milk samples gathered inGreece. Asaresult, both the presence and genotyping studies ofC.burnetii onthe BTM samples inTurkiye will contribute tothe determination ofthe geographical distribution ofthe agent.