Abstract:
Abortion associated with unknown fever was observed in the livestock in Hail Governorate, KSA and its administratively affiliated areas: Alkhutta and Baqaa North, Ghazala region South, Shamli region West and Shanan region East. Query Fever (Q Fever) was suspected as one of the possible causes; therefore, this study was conducted to investigate presence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, in animals in the area. A total of 799 serum samples from female animals were collected as follows: 203 camels, 296 sheep and 300 goats. Data on some risk factors (management system, age and breed) were recorded. A commercial indirect ELISA test kit for Q fever was used to screen the samples for specific Q. burnetii antibodies. The results showed an overall seroprevalence of Q fever as 33.4% (267 of 799) with 32% seropositivity in camels, 32.4% in sheep and 35.3% in goats. While no significant difference in seropositivity between animal species was found (p > 0.5), the type of management showed high significance (p = 0.000328). Results of this study show that Q fever is highly prevalent in farm animals in Hail region and its affiliated areas and that close management system is a risk factor.
