Molecular Detection of Coxiella burnetii as a Potential Cause of Abortion in Iraq

Background: The purpose of the present research was to identify one of the potential causes of abortion in Iraq—Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii). Methodology: The case-control study included 200 blood samples were collected from women who had experienced spontaneous abortions at two hospitals in Thi-Qar province during the period from October to November 2024. Similarly, 100 blood samples were collected from pregnant women who underwent either a normal vaginal delivery or a caesarean section, serving as the control group. DNA was extracted from samples and analyzed using a real-time PCR approach targeting the IS1111 gene to detect the presence of C. burnetii. Results: The data indicated that the highest percentage of women who had abortions were in the age group of 26–35 years (47%), while the lowest percentage was observed in the 36–44 years’ age group (20%). There was no statistically significant difference in abortion rates based on residency, with approximately 51.0% of cases from urban areas and 49.0% from rural areas. Regarding gestational age, 54.0% of abortions occurred during the first trimester, while the lowest rate (18.0%) was reported in the third trimester. Real-time PCR results showed that only 8 out of 200 DNA samples collected from women who had experienced abortions (4%) tested positive for the IS1111 gene, indicating infection with C. burnetii. Conclusion: RT-PCR is a critical and accurate method for detecting C. burnetii in aborted women who are not diagnosed in hospitals in Thi-Qar province, Iraq.