Detection of Coxiella burnetii DNA on Small-Ruminant Farms during a Q Fever Outbreak in the Netherlands

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.07323-11
• Publication Date: 2012-01-14T20:08:29Z
• Authors: A. de Bruin; R. Q. J. van der ...; L. de Heer; R. Paauwe; B. Schimmer; P. Vellema; B. J. van Rotterdam; Y. T. H. P. van D...
• Keywords: Coxiella burnetii; Q fever; Bulk tank

During large Q fever outbreaks in the Netherlands between 2007 and 2010, dairy goat farms were implicated as primary source of human fever. The transmission Coxiella burnetii to humans is thought occur primarily via aerosols, although available data on C. aerosols other environmental matrices are limited. outbreak 2009, 19 one sheep farm selected nationwide investigate presence DNA vaginal swabs, manure, surface area milk unit filters, aerosols. Four these had a positive status during bulk monitoring program 2009 additionally reported abortion waves 2008 or 2009. Eleven having only, five (control) milk-negative no history. Screening by quantitative PCR (qPCR) revealed that with history abortions related and, lesser extent, monitoring, generally higher proportions samples levels within observed than control farms. relatively high swabs sampled stables milk-positive farms, including fever-related history, support hypothesis can pose risk for humans.