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Coxiella burnetii in small animals: Serological and molecular study in female dogs
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Coxiella burnetii é o agente causador da zoonose Febre Q. Esta apresenta uma ocorrência mundial e os ruminantes domésticos são os hospedeiros mais comuns de C. burnetii e fonte da infeção humana. Os cães podem também ser infetados, contudo, o seu papel na epidemiologia desta bactéria ainda não está claro.
Este estudo foi realizado em cadelas pacientes de centros de atendimento médico-veterinário das regiões norte e centro de Portugal, entre outubro de 2020 e março de 2021, para realização de ovariohisterectomia. Amostras de sangue/soro/plasma excedentes de análises de rotina e tecidos excedentes de procedimentos cirúrgicos foram colhidas e utilizadas para a realização dos testes serológicos e moleculares. Durante o período de estudo foram sujeitos a amostragem um total de 78 animais diferentes (n=78). As amostras de soro/plasma foram testadas para detetar a presença de anticorpos específicos anti-C. burnetii recorrendo a um teste ELISA comercial adaptado para várias espécies (ID Screen Q Fever Indirect Multispecies®, IDVet®).
Na pesquisa de anticorpos, os resultados foram expressos em valores S/P%. Um S/P% > 50% foi classificado como positivo. Um total de sessenta (n = 60) animais foram testados para anticorpos anti-Coxiella burnetii. A amostra foi composta por trinta cães de raça pura e trinta animais de raça cruzados, com uma variação de idades entre cinco meses e quinze anos. Apenas um resultado positivo (S/P%= 54.96) foi detetado correspondendo a uma cadela de seis anos residente numa zona rural. A taxa de seropositividade foi assim determinada em 1,7% (CI 95%: 0,3 a 9,1%). Um resultado duvidoso (S/P% = 43%) foi detetado numa outra cadela de cinco anos residente numa zona semirrural.
Para a deteção DNA de C. burnetii no tecido reprodutivo, foram realizados testes de qPCR em 67 amostras.Todas as amostras apresentaram um resultado negativo, não tendo sido evidenciada a presença de C. burnetii nas amostras testadas.
A taxa de exposição encontrada nos animais testados foi muito baixa nos testes serológicos. Isto pode sugerir que as cadelas das regiões norte e centro de Portugal não são frequentemente expostas à bactéria ou por outro lado a amostragem de conveniência pode não ser representativa da população comprometendo as conclusões por enviesamento dos resultados.
No entanto, o estudo e a vigilância da infeção por C. burnetii em animais de companhia podem ser uma mais-valia para prevenir surtos e a transmissão para tutores e veterinários em contato com animais infetados.
Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of the Q Fever zoonosis. It presents a worldwide occurrence and domestic ruminants are the most common hosts of C. burnetii and source of human infection. Dogs can also be infected, however, their role in the epidemiology of this bacterium is not clear. This study was conducted on female dogs presented to veterinary medical centers from the North and Centre regions of Portugal between October 2020 and March 2021 to perform ovariohysterectomy. Surplus blood samples from rotine analysis and tissues obtained from routine cirurgical preocedures were used for serological and molecular testing. During the study period a total of 78 different animals were sampled (n=78). Serums were tested for the presence of specific antibodies anti-C. burnetii using a commercial ELISA adapted for multi-species detection (ID Screen Q Fever Indirect Multispecies®, IDVet®). The results were expressed in S/P% values. An S/P% >50% were classified as positive. A total of 60 (n=60) animals were tested. The sample was composed of 30 pure-breed and 30 crossbreed dogs, with ages ranging from five months to fifteen years old. There was only one positive result (S/P%=54.96) corresponding to a six-year-old female dog living in a rural area. The observed exposure was 1.7% (95% CI: 0.3 to 9.1%). Another female dog with five years old living in a peri-rural area had a suspicious result (S/P=43%). To detect C. burnetii DNA in the reproductive tissue, qPCR tests were performed in 67 canine uteri. A negative result was obtained in all the samples meaning that the presence of C. burnetii was not evidenced. In the serological tests, the rate of exposure found in the tested dogs was low. It may suggest that the female dogs from the north and center regions of Portugal are not often exposed to the bacterium. On the other hand, the convenient sampling could not be representative of the population, compromising the conclusions by biased results. However, the study and surveillance of C. burnetii infection in companion animals could be an asset to prevent outbreaks, and the transmission to owners and veterinarians contacting with infected animals.
Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of the Q Fever zoonosis. It presents a worldwide occurrence and domestic ruminants are the most common hosts of C. burnetii and source of human infection. Dogs can also be infected, however, their role in the epidemiology of this bacterium is not clear. This study was conducted on female dogs presented to veterinary medical centers from the North and Centre regions of Portugal between October 2020 and March 2021 to perform ovariohysterectomy. Surplus blood samples from rotine analysis and tissues obtained from routine cirurgical preocedures were used for serological and molecular testing. During the study period a total of 78 different animals were sampled (n=78). Serums were tested for the presence of specific antibodies anti-C. burnetii using a commercial ELISA adapted for multi-species detection (ID Screen Q Fever Indirect Multispecies®, IDVet®). The results were expressed in S/P% values. An S/P% >50% were classified as positive. A total of 60 (n=60) animals were tested. The sample was composed of 30 pure-breed and 30 crossbreed dogs, with ages ranging from five months to fifteen years old. There was only one positive result (S/P%=54.96) corresponding to a six-year-old female dog living in a rural area. The observed exposure was 1.7% (95% CI: 0.3 to 9.1%). Another female dog with five years old living in a peri-rural area had a suspicious result (S/P=43%). To detect C. burnetii DNA in the reproductive tissue, qPCR tests were performed in 67 canine uteri. A negative result was obtained in all the samples meaning that the presence of C. burnetii was not evidenced. In the serological tests, the rate of exposure found in the tested dogs was low. It may suggest that the female dogs from the north and center regions of Portugal are not often exposed to the bacterium. On the other hand, the convenient sampling could not be representative of the population, compromising the conclusions by biased results. However, the study and surveillance of C. burnetii infection in companion animals could be an asset to prevent outbreaks, and the transmission to owners and veterinarians contacting with infected animals.
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Keywords
Febre Q Animais de companhia ELISA qPCR Zoonose Q fever Pets Zoonosis