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This study, carried out in three goat herds, was aimed at describing individual responses to Q fever infection in an abortive context, focusing on both antibody and shedding levels. Seroprevalence of C oxiella burnetii ( C b) infection and vaginal shedding of 1083 goats were investigated using ELISA and real-time qPCR assays, respectively. At the end of the outbreaks, a seroprevalence of 45.0% was found, and vaginal shedding appeared massive with levels above 104 C b per swab in 42.3% of the whole population and above 106 C b per swab for 90.9% of aborted goats. Susceptible animals (i.e. seronegative nonshedders) were unfrequent (31.2%), most of them being kids (94.7%). Seronegative females were predominant among nonshedders and conversely seropositive ones, predominant among high shedders (above 106 C b per swab). Nevertheless, at least 43.3% of seronegative goats shed bacteria confirming the need of interpreting serology on a herd scale. The subsequent farrowing period was characterized by a significant reduction in the number of clinical cases. Females that had already aborted were more often involved than others. Shedding quantities remained high, particularly for primiparous does, mainly when facing infection for the first time. Thus, Q fever control must be based on both preventive measures directed to the preherd and environmental precautions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out to assess the efficacy of vaccination, using a phase I C oxiella burnetii-inactivated vaccine ( Coxevac®; CEVA), within three goat herds experiencing Q fever abortions waves. The stratification of the population ( n = 905) was based on parity and on infection status related to both serological and q PCR vaginal shedding results. Control ( n = 443) and vaccinated ( n = 462) groups were established in each farm. Vaccination was administered to does before mating and to kids after active immunity acquisition (at least 3-4 months old). The vaccine effectiveness was analyzed at subsequent farrowing on both clinical incidence and vaginal shedding at the delivery day. Among the 231 animals considered as susceptible, that is, seronegative nonshedders, about 90% were infected whatever the group, showing that vaccination did not prevent infection under high infection exposure. Fortunately, vaccination induced an overall decrease in shedding levels. A significant average difference between groups was estimated to 1.16 log10 bacteria per swab for primiparous and even higher (1.81 log10) for initially susceptible ones. Thus, in a clinical context, vaccination should be implemented first in renewal animals. Indeed, young animals are those which best respond to vaccination by significantly reducing C. burnetii burden and, conversely, which excrete bacteria most massively if not vaccinated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza D virus (IDV) has first been identified in 2011 in the USA and was shown to mainly circulate in cattle. While IDV is associated with mild respiratory signs, its prevalence is still unknown. In the present study we show that IDV has been circulating throughout France in cattle and small ruminants, with 47.2% and 1.5% seropositivity, respectively. The high prevalence and moderate pathogenicity of IDV in cattle suggest that it may play an initiating role in the bovine respiratory disease complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]