Seroepidemiology of coxiellosis in small ruminant populations of East Azarbaijan province, northwest of Iran

Coxiella burnetii is the cause of a common bacterial disease between humans and animals. The resulting disease from an infection with this agent is referred to as Q fever in humans and as coxillosis in animals. The present research was performed to pinpoint the seroprevalence of coxiellosis in small ruminant (goats and sheep) populations in the East Azarbaijan province, northwest of Iran. Blood samples taken from 184 small ruminants (164 sheep and 20 goats) in various rural parts of the East Azarbaijan province were analyzed using an indirect ELISA test. Sex, age, species, history of abortion, and geographical location were also recorded as risk factors. Out of a total of 184 serum samples analyzed for the presence of antibodies against C. burnetii, 39.7% (n = 73) appeared positive, 7% (n = 13) were doubtful, and 53.3% (n = 98) were negative. There were no statistically significant differences among the risk factors, except for sex and geographical area. The study revealed that a relatively high proportion of the tested small ruminants are seropositive to C. burnetii. Steps should be implemented to halt the transmission of the disease and reduce the zoonotic risk of C. burnetii in the region, taking into account the economic and public health significance of C. burnetii for both animals and humans.