Genomic detection of Coxiellaburnetii based on plasmid genes in horses.
Abstract: Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by an obligate intra-cellular pathogen called affecting a broad range of animal hosts including horses. Most of the isolates found carry plasmids which genetic studies of strains suggest a critical role in survival. The correlation between an isolated plasmid type and the chronic or acute nature of the disease has always been controversial. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of and plasmids in horses and assess the potential role of these species as reservoirs of infection and transmission. Nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed on 320 blood serum samples drawn from horses in West Azerbaijan province, Iran, in 2020. In total, 26 (8.13%) Q fever-positive samples based on containing the gene were tested by nested-PCR approach to amplify and plasmid segments. The and plasmid-specific sequences were identified in 19 (73.07%) and none in the serum samples, respectively. According to the present study, the age of the animal can be considered as an important risk factor for the prevalence of ; but, the season, sex, and breed of the horse had no effect on the prevalence of disease. The results indicate that nested-PCR method could be suitable for routine diagnosis, to gather new information about the shedding of , and to improve the knowledge of contamination routes.
Publication Date: 2023-06-15 PubMed ID: 37383652PubMed Central: PMC10298835DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2022.551663.3443Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article focuses on the detection of the bacterium Coxiellaburnetii, a cause of Q fever, in horses’ blood serum samples based on the presence of specific plasmid genes. The study evaluates the effect of factors such as age, season, and sex of the horse on the prevalence of disease and suggests the nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method as a suitable diagnostic tool.
Methodology and Purpose
- The study was designed to prevalently investigate the presence of Coxiellaburnetii and its associated specific plasmid genes in horses and assess the potential of horses as reservoirs of infection and transmission of the disease.
- To conduct this investigation, the researchers performed nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays on 320 blood serum samples drawn from horses in West Azerbaijan province, Iran, in 2020.
- This method was chosen because PCR assays are highly sensitive and accurate, thus can be highly effective in detecting the presence of specific genes in an organism.
Result and Findings
- Out of the 320 samples, 26 (or 8.13%) tested positive for Q fever attributed to the presence of a gene specific to Coxiellaburnetii.
- These Q fever-positive samples were then subjected to a further nested-PCR to detect the presence of two specific plasmid genes.
- It was found that one of the plasmid-specific sequences was identified in 19 (or 73.07%) of the samples, while the other was not detectable in any of the samples.
- The study revealed that the age of the horse could be a significant risk factor for the prevalence of Coxiellaburnetii infection, while the season, sex, and breed of the horse appeared to have no effect on the disease’s prevalence.
Conclusions and Implications
- Based on the study’s results, the authors suggest that the nested-PCR method could be a suitable means of routine diagnosis for Coxiellaburnetii infection.
- This method could also be used to gather new information about the shedding of Coxiellaburnetii and to enhance the understanding of contamination routes, hence aiding in the prevention and control of the disease.
- Moreover, understanding the effect of various factors, especially the age of the horse, on the prevalence of the disease can guide targeted treatment and preventive measures.
Cite This Article
APA
Tehrani M, Ownagh A.
(2023).
Genomic detection of Coxiellaburnetii based on plasmid genes in horses.
Vet Res Forum, 14(6), 317-322.
https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2022.551663.3443 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- MSc student, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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