Molecular and serological studies on Coxeilla burnetii in camels at Marsa Matrouh governorate in Egypt

Coxiella burnetii, the bacterium causing Q fever, is an obligate intracellular bio safety level 3 agent. In animals, the organism is mainly found in the reproductive system and may primarily cause abortion or infertility. Antibodies to this organism have been reported in a wide range of animals including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. In this present study, a total of 125 serum, bulk tank milk, vaginal swab, placenta and internal organ of aborted foeti samples were collected from aborted she camels and apparently healthy in Marsa Matrouh governorate, Egypt to detect the prevalence of C. burnetii at flock level by ELISA and Real-Time PCR as well as the pathogen amplification in Embryonated Chicken Egg (ECE). This study proves that camels in Egypt may play an important role as a reservoir of C. burnetii and they could be a significant source for the transmission of Q-Fever to other animal species and to humans. The preferred route of shedding of C. burnetii in camel appeared to be the milk followed by placenta.