Determination of coxi̇ellosis seroprevalence and related risk factors in livestock breeders, their sheep, goats and cattle in Şanlıurfa

Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) is a zoonotic bacterium that seen in a wide variety of animals, such as domestic and wild mammals, birds, reptiles, ticks, fish and artropods. It causes Q fever infection, with high fever and flu symptoms in humans and animals. Coxiella burnetti detected in blood, milk and cheeese is considered as zoonosis that is an important risk factor for animal and public health. In many studies carried out in Turkey, Coxiella burnetti antibodies were detected in human and animals. Coxiellosis is an important public health problem. In our study, it is aimed to determine the seropositivity of C. burnetii in goat, sheep and cattle and their breeders living in Sanliurfa. C. burnetii antibodies were investigated in a total of 32 human's and 83 animals' sera by using indirect ELISA kit. In our study, it is aimed to determine the existence of C burnetti in goat, sheep and cattle and their breeders living in Sanliurfa. 34 people farming for more than 10 years and their 83 animals ( 8 goat, 4 cattle, 71 sheep) have been included the study. C. burnetii antibodies have been investigated in serums of both groups by using commercial ELISA kit. In the study, 2 out of 34 (5,9%) refused to donate blood. Of the 39 people participating to the study, 10 (29,4%) were detected positive, 3 (8,8%) were suspicious and 19 (55,9%) were negative of C. burnetti. Of the animals included in the study, 17 (20,5%) were determined positive, 6 (7,2%) were suspicious, and 60 (72,3%) were negative. The average seropositivity was determined as 0,57±0,18 for humans, 0,62±0,21 for animals. In the study, 23,48% seropositivity was detected. It is concluded that risk is high in terms of C.burnetti, considering the detected rates of seropositivity in Sanliurfa province. Based on the survey result, it is seen that most of the people participating the study have consumed the dairy without paying attention to the hygiene. Consuming contaminated food, which is one of the ways of infection of people with zoonotic factor and detection of the factor in foodstuf carries great risk for human health. This poses risk for the spread and contamination of C.burnetti infection. To prevent the occurrence of C,burnetti infection, it is an obligation to get control of the animals and people at risk and prevent the spread of this disease.