Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Cattle and Buffaloes in the Islamabad Capital Territory and Other Selected Districts of Pakistan

The present study was conducted to determine the sero-prevalence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies and associated risk factors in large ruminants (cattle and buffaloes) of four districts of Pakistan. A total of 175 milk samples were investigated from different areas of Pakistan. Out of 175 milk samples, species data for 28 samples were missing. The presence of C. burnetii antibodies was determined by indirect ELISA. The overall prevalence in large ruminants (cattle and buffaloes) was 6.1%. In cattle prevalence was higher (7%) than in buffaloes (5.3%). The difference in sero-prevalence between cattle and buffaloes was insignificant (X2 =1.30, p=0.5, df=2). Based on the dairy animal breed, the stratification of C. burnetii antibodies showed that Mix breed had the highest sero-prevalence (7.7%). Bhimber had a high prevalence (40%), while ICT had no positive case. Mirpur and Rawalpindi showed prevalence rates of 8.9% and 5%, respectively. Statistical analysis (χ²=10.61, df=10, p=0.3) indicated no significant differences between regions and C. burnetii antibodies. Associated risk factors for the seropositivity of C. burnetii antibodies were age of animals (X2=1.20, df=2, p=0.5), contact with small ruminants (X2 =.50, p=0 .7, df=2), absence of rodents (X2=9.32 ,df=1, p=0.002), absence of ticks (X2 = 1.989a, p=0.1, df=1), production system (X=.711a ,df=1, p=0.3), breeding method (X2 =1.11 p=0.5, df=2), abortion history (X2 = 1.31, p = 0.5, df = 2), health issue (X2 = 1.61, p= 1.0, df=14),herd size (X2=4.38 ,df=10,p=0.9), number of parities (X2=0.88, df=2, p=0.6).The results of this study indicated that C. burnetii antibodies are prevalent in cattle and buffaloes in four districts (ICT, Rawalpindi, Bhimber Azad Kashmir, Mirpur Azad Kashmir) of Pakistan.