Premium
Serological evidence of Coxiella burnetii infection in dogs in a regional centre
Author(s) -
Cooper A,
Hedlefs R,
Ketheesan N,
Govan B
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00819.x
Subject(s) - seroprevalence , coxiella burnetii , q fever , serology , veterinary medicine , medicine , confidence interval , zoonosis , virology , immunology , antibody
Objective Investigate the seroprevalence of the causative agent of Q fever, Coxiella burnetii in domestic dogs in the Townsville region, North Queensland, Australia. Method Blood samples were collected from dogs attending veterinary clinics for routine procedures. Results An overall seropositivity of 21.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 21.6–22.1%) was observed. A retrospective study of samples collected in the same region during 1984–85 was also performed, with an overall seropositivity of 16.0% (95% CI 15.9–16.2). Conclusion Evidence of C. burnetii infection in domestic dogs may have public health implications for dog owners, as well as veterinarians because of occupational exposure. This study is the first known investigation of C. burnetii seroprevalence in dogs in Queensland.