Coxiella burnetii (Q Fever) in Small Ruminants on Farms in North West Province, South Africa

Query fever (Q fever) causes huge economic and agricultural losses through congenital effects such as late abortions, stillbirths, and dead or weak offspring in infected livestock and wildlife. Due to limited data on Q fever in small ruminants (sheep and goats) in South Africa, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the sero- and molecular prevalence of <i>C. burnetii</i> in small ruminants in farms of the North West province. Testing using ELISA showed a 33.96% seropositivity with no significant risk factors. Molecular detection using PCR showed a 61.11% frequency of detection, with higher detection in goats (36.51%) than in sheep (24.60%). There were significant differences in <i>C. burnetii</i> PCR detection between seasons of the year (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Sequence analysis of PCR products showed similarity to the <i>C. burnetii</i> transposase gene, validating the PCR results. A fair correlation between the ELISA and PCR results was observed, suggesting agreement between serology and PCR detection. This study also shows a high prevalence of <i>C. burnetii</i> by both serology and PCR on farms in the North West province of South Africa. As such, extension of such surveillance programs to other provinces in South Africa, as well as inclusion of <i>C. burnetii</i> detection tests, to resolve abortion or stillbirth cases, need to be considered.