Journal article
Coxiella burnetii associated placental lesions and infection level in parturient cows
National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark1
INRAE2
University of Copenhagen3
Section for Veterinary Diagnostics, Division of Veterinary Diagnostics and Research, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark4
Division of Veterinary Diagnostics and Research, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark5
Bacteriology & Pathology, Division of Veterinary Diagnostics and Research, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark6
Cotyledons (n=170) from dairy cattle were analysed for Coxiella burnetii by real-time (rt) PCR targeting the IS1111a and icd genes. Positive cases (n=90) and a random selection of negative cases (n=20) were examined by histology, immunohistochemistry and, if infection level was high, by fluorescence in situ hybridisation.
PCR results were compared to bulk tank milk (BTM) antibody levels.Placental infection was detected in cows from herds at all BTM antibody levels. However the likelihood of placental infection was generally higher in herds with intermediate or high BMT antibody levels than in herds with low antibody levels.
Histological examination revealed a range of mostly mild cotyledonary changes; C. burnetii infection was only rarely associated with inflammation. This may explain why bovine Q fever is usually not clinically apparent. Nevertheless, infected cattle will shed C. burnetii at calving and this can occur even in herds without BTM antibodies.
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2011 |
| Pages: | e135-e139 |
| ISSN: | 10900233 and 15322971 |
| Types: | Journal article |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.12.021 |
| ORCIDs: | 0000-0003-1653-4552 , Hansen, Mette Sif and Jensen, Tim Kåre |
