Coxiella burnetii: what is the reality?

• Published in: Parassitologia Vol. 46; no. 1-2; p. 131
• Main Authors: Capuano, F, Parisi, A, Cafiero, M A, Pitaro, L, Fenizia, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Italian
• Published: Italy 01.06.2004
• Subjects: Abortion, Veterinary - epidemiology; Abortion, Veterinary - microbiology; Animal Diseases - epidemiology; Animal Diseases - microbiology; Animal Diseases - parasitology; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Antibodies, Bacterial - blood; Antibodies, Protozoan - blood; Cattle; Coxiella burnetii - immunology; Coxiella burnetii - isolation & purification; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dog Diseases - microbiology; Dog Diseases - parasitology; Dogs; Ehrlichia canis - immunology; Ehrlichia canis - isolation & purification; Housing, Animal; Humans; Italy - epidemiology; Leishmania infantum - immunology; Leishmania infantum - isolation & purification; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - microbiology; Occupational Diseases - parasitology; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Q Fever - epidemiology; Q Fever - microbiology; Q Fever - transmission; Q Fever - veterinary; Rickettsia conorii - immunology; Rickettsia conorii - isolation & purification; Risk; Ruminants - microbiology; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Zoonoses; Italy
• ISSN: 0048-2951

After the Second World War, in Italy Q Fever or Coxiellosis has been shown a significant relevance, a recrudescence with an epidemic state for over ten years. Later, the infectious disease occurred as endemic since the 80s, the outbreaks were just isolated. Workflows analysis of some authors has demonstrated the spread out of the infection throughout Italian herds with a prevalence ranging from 1.2 per cent to 10 per cent. Our survey carried out throughout Campania area in cattle has shown a real positivity over 14 per cent performing the IFAT for the detection of IgG antibodies for Coxiella burnetii. Therefore, it has been so important to stress the influence of cattle farming management in stables as a real risk of Coxiellosis. For example, the Relative Risk (RR) has been registrated about 6.84 (2.18<RR<21.4) in comparison with some herds permanently housed than those kept unhoused and about 8.4 (1.8<RR<38.6) in housed herds and those permanently kept at pasture. Therefore, we have detected a seroprevalence of Q Fever about 11.8 per cent within sheep and about 6.3 per cent within goats. The investigations have focused buffaloes too, tested by several authors, especially from India, but in Italy, only Galiero has recorded significant results: the overall seroprevalence (1.2 per cent) was observed within 1012 buffaloes. Other studies have demonstrated that dogs may transmit Q Fever to humans by infected birth fluids and membranes and by urine. Because of this observation, addressed some of our search projects to assess possible relation among other pathogens, such as Leishmania infantum, Rickettsia conori and Ehrlichia canis. The results have confirmed the presence of C. burnetii (seroprevalence about 7 per cent) within tested dogs in southern Italy. There was no direct estimated relationship between C. burnetii and E. canis and R. conori, instead of significant relation has been shown for L. infantum. The investigation focused on the direct interaction between seropositivity and the age of ruminants. For example, the highest prevalence has been observed in cows and sheep ranging from 3-5 years in which the infection risk was higher than in younger herds. In accordance with the workflows serological analysis, C. burnetii is widespread in Italy among housed ruminants. PCR assay was, therefore performed to test cows with clinical signs of abortion and neonatal mortality. All the survey involved 305 animals (267 foeti and 38 stillborn) with 77 positive herds showing DNA of C. burnetii. To detect C. burnetii pathogen in milk samples, two methods have been combined: the immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and PCR assay, obtaining an increasing of sensitivity (10(-17)) more than only PCR technique (10(-8)). The overall analysis of serological and biomolecular results has demonstrated that C. burnetii is really widespread and may have detrimental effects on farm management system.