Molecular detection and phylogeny analysis of Coxiella burnetii detected from cattle and buffalo milk based on plasmid cbhE gene in West Azerbaijan of Iran

Humans and animals may get Q fever, which is caused by the Gram-negative coccobacillus <i>Coxiella burnetii</i>. The symptoms of Q fever may include a self-limiting febrile illness, pneumonia, endocarditis, or hepatitis. Infections are classified as either acute or persistent. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the most prevalent reservoir animals for this zoonosis. This research was conducted to identify <i>C. burnetii</i> using transposable and isocitrate dehydrogenase genes (<i>IS1111</i>, <i>icd</i>) and <i>QpH1</i> plasmids. A total of 142 samples of raw buffalo and cow milk were collected from various locations within the West Azerbaijan region (see map). We used "nested" PCR techniques using primers based on the <i>IS1111</i> and <i>icd</i> genes of <i>C. burnetii</i>, as well as conserved and variable portions of plasmid sequences, to identify <i>C. burnetii</i> and their plasmids in milk samples from buffalo and calves. Out of 142 milk samples that were positive for the chromosomal transposable genes (<i>IS1111</i> and <i>icd</i>) at a rate of 16.9 percent (95 percent CI: 14.5 percent to 19.6 percent) and 7.1 % (95 percent CI: 5.59 percent to 9.08 percent), respectively, 86 samples were positive for the <i>QpH1</i> plasmid at a rate of 60.5 percent (95 percent CI: 52.35 percent to 68.2 percent). Based on a phylogenetic study of the <i>icd</i> and <i>QpH1</i> genes, the majority of the isolates had a similarity of 99.45-99.9 percent. Conclusion: It was determined that the buffalo population in West Azerbaijan province represents a significant epidemiological factor with respect to Q fever and consequently public health.