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Q fever as a potential cause of abortions in sheep (Ovis aries) in the Malopolskie Province – a preliminary study
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1
Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
2
University Centre of Veterinary Medicine UJ-UR, Kraków, Poland
3
Vet-Lab Brudzew, Brudzew, Poland
Corresponding author
Anna Didkowska
Department of Food Hygiene and
Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2022;29(3):453-456
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ABSTRACT
Q fever is a dangerous zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii. The disease occurs mainly in ruminants and may cause reproductive system disorders, including abortions in sheep. Therefore, following an increase in the abortion rate in a village in the Małopolska Region which was investigated for C. burnetii. In 2019 and 2021. Blood was collected from 177 ewes from seven herds, as well as vaginal swabs and milk from 100 ewes. The obtained serum samples were tested with commercial serological ELISA, and the swabs and milk subjected to PCR testing. Of the 177 tested sheep, 23 (13%) were seropositive. The risk of seropositivity was positively correlated with age, but this relationship was weak. All samples were PCR negative. Hence, C. burnetii seems not to be the main cause of abortions in this region. However, due to the high consumption of unpasteurized sheep milk products in this region, further research is needed, particularly regarding agents with zoonotic potential.
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