Abstract
We studied the role of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a reservoir for Coxiella burnetii in the Iberian region. High individual and population seroprevalences observed in wild and farmed rabbits, evidence of systemic infections, and vaginal shedding support the reservoir role of the European rabbit for C. burnetii.
Highlights
We studied the role of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a reservoir for Coxiella burnetii in the Iberian region
This study provides 3 results that suggest that European rabbits might be reservoirs of C. burnetii
Host density is a major factor in C. burnetii prevalence in livestock [14]
Summary
We studied the role of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a reservoir for Coxiella burnetii in the Iberian region. The Study Serum samples were collected from European wild rabbits in 13 locations in Spain, Portugal, and the Chafarinas Islands during 2003–2013 (Figure 1). In addition to serum samples, spleen, uterus, and mammary gland samples and vaginal and uterus swab specimens were collected from rabbits surveyed at location LO. Logistic regression models were used for individual exposure of rabbits from location LO to C. burnetii (ELISA), for the presence/absence of C. burnetii DNA in spleen (a proxy of systemic infection), and for the presence/absence of C. burnetii DNA in the reproductive tract (a proxy of shedding; including PCR results from uterus, and vaginal and uterus swab specimens). The best model for the presence of C. burnetii DNA in spleen retained sampling year, season, presence of ruminants, and sex (Table). None of the 13 mammary glands analyzed was positive for C. burnetii DNA
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