Authors: Alessiani Alessandra, Di Domenico Marco, Averaimo Daniela, Pompilii Cinzia, Rulli Marco, Cocco Antonio, Lomellini Laura, Coccaro Antonio, Cantelmi Maria Chiara, Merola Carmine, Tieri Elga Ersilia, Romeo Gianfranco, Secondini Barbara, Marfoglia Cristina, Di Teodoro Giovanni, Petrini Antonio
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Coxiella burnetii surveillance in domestic and wild animals (2019–2023) Q fever, caused by *Coxiella burnetii*, remains a significant zoonotic concern across Europe, with cattle, goats and sheep serving as primary reservoirs, though disease detection in these species often centres on reproductive failure rather than systematic surveillance. This five-year study from the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise screened 560 animals (spanning 11 species including equines, wildlife and companion animals) and six human samples using real-time PCR targeting the IS1111 transposase gene, identifying positive cases, characterising strain types, and evaluating vaccination efficacy within affected herds. Of 116 positive animals detected, the overwhelming majority were small ruminants (73 goats and 42 sheep), with only one bovine positive and notably no positives amongst horses, dogs, cats or wildlife species tested; genotyping revealed ST79, a strain endemic to the region for over a decade. A particularly valuable finding emerged from longitudinal tracking of one outbreak through vaccination intervention, demonstrating a measurable correlation between vaccination status and reduction in positive PCR results alongside increased cycle threshold (Ct) values, suggesting improved bacterial clearance or reduced shedding. For equine practitioners, whilst horses did not test positive in this cohort, the data underscores the importance of recognising Q fever as a differential diagnosis in abortion cases and understanding regional strain epidemiology; moreover, the demonstration that vaccination can reduce shedding in affected herds has implications for biosecurity protocols and management of mixed-species operations harbouring infected small ruminants.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Q fever remains a significant concern in cattle, goat, and sheep operations with zoonotic risk; vaccination can reduce infection rates and bacterial shedding
- •Reproductive issues in small ruminants should trigger C. burnetii testing and herd vaccination strategies
- •Wildlife monitoring is necessary as multiple wild species (deer, boars, wolves, otters) can carry the organism and pose transmission risk to domestic herds
Key Findings
- •116 of 560 animals tested positive for C. burnetii, predominantly in goats (73) and sheep (42), with only 1 bovine positive
- •ST79 strain was identified and has persisted in the region for over 10 years
- •Vaccination demonstrated a measurable effect on reducing positive samples and lowering real-time PCR Ct values in an outbreak
- •Outbreaks occurred in 4 herds with ability to track one outbreak from inception through eradication