Serosurvey of Q fever in active reproductive rams in northern Palestine

This investigation of Q-fever or Coxiellosis was undertaken to study the presence and the infection rate of C.burnetii infection in reproductively active rams in the Northern Palestine, where most of the sheep herds are located. In all, 2806 samples which collected from active rams during the reproductive season from herds in five cities (Jenin, Jericho, Nablus, Tulkarm and Tubas). Sera were tested by ID Screen Q Fever Indirect Multi-species enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of C. burnetii immunoglobulin G (IgG). A total of 28.1 % of ram sera were positive for C. burnetii IgG. There was no significant difference between the four location cities studied However, a significantly low difference was observed in the Tubas city (P<0.05). Highest infection rate was detected in rams of Tulkarm (29.8%), followed by Nablus (29.5%), Jericho (28.4%), Jenin (28.2%) and Tubas (16.1%). Moreover, at the farm level, 73.3% had at least one seropositive animal. It had been concluded that a high infection rate were detected in rams of Northern Palestine, at both individual and herd level. Therefore, Q fever could be responsible for considerable numbers of ovine abortions in Palestine, as well as of public health significance, Hereby control programs should be advised.