Seroprevalence of Q fever in farm animals in Saudi Arabia

This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of Q fever in domestic livestock in Saudi Arabia. Serum samples from 489 camels, 428 cattle, 630 sheep and 423 goats, of either sex, from different localities were tested for antibodies against C. burnetii using a Q fever indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A subsample of 307 animals of different species was simultaneously tested for C. burnetii antibodies by ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence (IFA). The overall seroprevalence was 30.71%. Prevalence by species was 51.53%, 30.67%, 34.04% and 12.38% in camels, cattle, goats and sheep, respectively. Significant differences in seroprevalence were recorded between species and locations. The prevalence was overtly higher in adult as compared to young animals. No significant difference was recorded between male and female animals. There was a close agreement between ELISA and IFA results in cattle and camels while the results of the two tests were at variance in sheep and goats. The results indicate that the domestic livestock and the camel are the source of Q fever endemicity in Saudi Arabia.