Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Bulk Tank Milk Samples from Dairy Cattle in West and Northwest of Iran

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by an obligate gram-negative intracellular pathogen called Coxiella burnetii. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-C. burnetii antibodies in bulk tank milk (BTM) samples of dairy cattle in west and northwest of Iran. Methods: Overall, 71 BTM samples (covering nearly 700 dairy cattle) were collected in autumn 2013. A commercial Q fever antibody ELISA Test Kit (Liebefeld-Bern, Switzerland) was used to identify the presence of antibodies against inactivated phase 1 and phase 2 C. burnetii antigens. Results: The results of ELISA test showed that 17 BTM samples (23.9%) were positive for the presence of anti-C. burnetii antibodies. Conclusion: This study is the first to evaluate presence of anti-C. burnetii antibodies in BTM samples from dairy cattle herds in west and northwest of Iran. The high prevalence of this pathogen highlights the need for pasteurization of raw milk and raising awareness in consumers of dairy products in these regions. Keywords: Q fever, Cattle, Iran, Coxiella.