Evaluation of Coxiella burnetii Excretion in Parturition Discharge of Does with Full Term Delivery Using PCR Method

     Coxiella burnetii the causative agent of Q fever and one of the most important abortifacient agents in goats, is a gram negative bacteria. During an outbreak of coxiellosis, the infected animals shed Coxiella burnetii through vaginal discharges, feces, milk and the urine. The present study focused on the presence of Coxiella in the parturition discharges of goats with full-term delivery.

     A total of 25 goats in their first parturition and 25 other goats in their second parturition with no clinical signs of infection caused by Coxiella burnetti, were randomly selected and examined. The vaginal swab samples which had been collected from the animals were extracted and tested by PCR.

     In the 25 goats that had parturated for the first time, 19 positive samples were detected (76%). Eighteen samples that had been collected from other goats in their second parturition ,had C.burrenti DNA in their vaginally swabs (72%). The infection rate in goats that had partuated for the first time ,was higher than the goats in their second parturition, had though the difference was not significant.

     According to the high prevalence of Coxiella burrentii,the risk of abortion in goats and also as coxiellosis is a zoonotic disease, it is necessary to pay more attention to the bacterium and to conduct appropriate strategies for prevention of disease.