Association between Coxiella burnetii seropositivity and abortion in dairy cattle of Northern Italy

New Microbiol. 2006 Jul;29(3):211-4.

Abstract

Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever in humans, has been associated with abortion in cattle. In this study 650 sera from cattle with abortion and 600 randomly-selected control sera were examined for antibodies to C. burnetii by ELISA. Two hundred and ninety-two (44.9%) out of 650 animals which experienced abortion were seropositive versus 132 (22%) out of 600 of the control group. A statistically significant difference resulted from the comparison of the seroprevalence of aborted cattle with that of controls (p < 0.001). Moreover, a significant higher prevalence was disclosed in cattle which aborted during late gestation (p < 0.002) and in the autumn (p < 0.001).

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology
  • Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cattle Diseases / microbiology*
  • Coxiella burnetii / immunology
  • Coxiella burnetii / isolation & purification*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial