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Prevalence and associated risk factors of anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies in dairy cattle herds using bulk tank milk analysis in Kabylia area, north Algeria

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Abstract

Coxiella burnetii, or Q fever agent, has notable implications for human and livestock health. Infections in cattle primarily manifest through reproductive issues where infected animals shed the bacterium in birth fluids, placental tissues, and milk, serving as potential sources of transmission. Bovine herds become reservoirs, contributing to the environmental contamination of farming areas. Comprehensive studies on the prevalence, transmission routes, and associated risk factors among cattle contribute to the development of effective control strategies, ultimately safeguarding both livestock and public health.Here we determine the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies against in dairy cattle farms from Kabylia (northern Algeria) and identify the associated risk factors. Bulk tank milk samples from 184 farms were analyzed by indirect ELISA technique, 49 of them were tested positive which corresponds to a prevalence rate of 26.63% (95% CI 20.25–33.01%). Multivariate analysis by logistic regression showed that the risk factors associated with detection of anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies are: cohabitation of cattle with small ruminants(OR = 3.74 95% CI [1.41–8.92]), exposure to prevailing winds (OR = 5.12 95% CI [2.11–13.45]), and the veterinarian visits frequency(OR = 5.67 95% CI [2.55–13.60]). These findings underscore the susceptibility of dairy cattle to Q fever in the Kabylia region, highlighting practices that pose risks. We recommend the implementation of hygienic measures and adherence to proper farming conditions to mitigate the transmission of Q fever and reduce the associated zoonotic risk.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analyzed in this study are not publicly available for administrative reasons( pending thesis defense), but can be obtained from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Dr Bensafia Mounir, Dr Oudafal Abdelhakim, Dr Foughali Asma Amina for their valuable help in the field; the staff of the biochemistry laboratory of the Biotechnology Research Centre for their technical assistance.

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Animal Reproduction Biotechnologies, Institute of Veterinary Sciences, route de Soumaa, University Saad Dahlab Blida 1, Blida, 09000, Algeria

    Salah Agag, Hamza Khaled, Rachid Kaidi & Hecène Medkour

  2. Faculty of natural sciences, life sciences, earth and the universe, 8 mai 1945 University, Guelma, Guelma, 24000, Algeria

    Salah Agag

  3. Livestock Management, Production and Animal Health Division, Agro-Pastoralism Research Center (CRAPast), Djelfa, 17000, Algeria

    Bachir Medrouh

  4. MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, 34394, France

    Hacène Medkour

  5. Qista Techno Bam, Avenue Philibert, 13100, Aix-En-Provence, France

    Hamza Leulmi

  6. Biochimestry laboratory, biotechnology research center, Ali Mendjli Nouvelle Ville, Constantine, Algeria

    Hanene Djeghim

  7. High national veterinary school Rabie Bouchama, Oued Smar, Algiers, Algeria

    Djamel Khelef

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  1. Salah Agag
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Salah Agag, Bachir Medrouh and Hamza Khaled. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Salah Agag and revised by Hamza Leulmi, Hanene Djeghim and Hacène Medkour Conceptualisation of study was performed by Rachid Kaidi, Djamel Khelef and Salah Agag. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Salah Agag.

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All animal owners declared their oral consent before the collection of the milk samples as well to the related survey questions.

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Agag, S., Medrouh, B., Khaled, H. et al. Prevalence and associated risk factors of anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies in dairy cattle herds using bulk tank milk analysis in Kabylia area, north Algeria. Trop Anim Health Prod 56, 106 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-024-03950-y

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