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American journal of epidemiology1980; 111(4); 437-443; doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112919

Environmental exposure to Coxiella burnetii: a sero-epidemiologic survey among domestic animals.

Abstract: The prevalence of agglutinating serum antibodies against Coxiella burnetii, the cause of Q fever in humans, was tested in a hospital population of companion animals and livestock in California during 1973--1975. A sample of stray dogs was also tested. Among the hospitalized animals 346 (48%) of 724 dogs, 7 (9%) of 80 cats, 9 (32%) of 28 cattle and 31 (26%) of 121 horses had antibodies against C. burnetii. Of 316 stray dogs 208 (66%) were seropositive. The overall prevalence of 53% among 1040 dogs tested was comparable to the 63% antibody prevalence found in an earlier survey among coyotes and foxes in wildlife areas of California. When the dog was considered as a sentinel animal for the presence of C. burnetii surrounding household environments, it was hypothesized that the common, low level exposures in the community are similar to those found in more remote wildlife areas.
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Publication Date: 1980-04-01 PubMed ID: 7377186DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112919Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the prevalence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii, the bacteria causing Q fever in humans, among companion animals and livestock in California, from 1973 to 1975, revealing high prevalence among dogs, both stray and hospitalized, and notable presence among cattle and horses as well.

Objective and Method

  • This research aimed to understand the extent of environmental exposure to Coxiella burnetii, a bacterium responsible for causing Q fever in humans.
  • The researchers performed sero-epidemiologic surveys between 1973 and 1975 among a hospital population of domestic animals and livestock in California.
  • A group of stray dogs was also sampled within this study. The animals were tested for the presence of agglutinating serum antibodies against C. burnetii, which would indicate they had been exposed to this pathogen.

Findings

  • Among the hospitalized animals, the findings show that out of 724 dogs, 346 (48%) had antibodies against C. burnetii. Similarly, 7 out of 80 cats (9%), 9 of 28 cattle (32%), and 31 of 121 horses (26%) were also found to have these antibodies.
  • From the group of 316 stray dogs, 66% were found to be seropositive, meaning they had been exposed to C. burnetii.
  • The overall prevalence of antibodies against C. burnetii among the 1040 dogs that were tested was 53%. This figure was comparable to the 63% antibody prevalence found in an earlier survey among coyotes and foxes in wildlife areas of California.

Implications and Hypothesis

  • The high prevalence of antibodies against C. burnetii among dogs suggests dogs could be considered as sentinel animals, or indictors, for the presence of this bacterium in their surrounding environments.
  • The researchers hypothesize that the level of exposures to C. burnetii found in common domestic and community settings might be similar to those found in more remote wildlife areas, given the comparable prevalence among domestic dogs and wild canids.

Conclusion

  • This study indicates a significant presence of Coxiella burnetii in various animal populations in California, which prompts a potential need for better monitoring and preventive measures, especially given the capacity of this bacterium to infect humans and cause Q fever.

Cite This Article

APA
Willeberg P, Ruppanner R, Behymer DE, Haghighi S, Kaneko JJ, Franti CE. (1980). Environmental exposure to Coxiella burnetii: a sero-epidemiologic survey among domestic animals. Am J Epidemiol, 111(4), 437-443. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112919

Publication

American journal of epidemiology
ISSN: 0002-9262
NlmUniqueID: 7910653
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 111
Issue: 4
Pages: 437-443

Researcher Affiliations

Willeberg, P
    Ruppanner, R
      Behymer, D E
        Haghighi, S
          Kaneko, J J
            Franti, C E

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Animals, Domestic / immunology
              • Coxiella / immunology
              • Dogs / immunology
              • Environmental Exposure
              • Q Fever / immunology

              Citations

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