Mosikidi Katleho N, Mphuthi Nthabiseng Malekoba, Mangena Maruping L, Lazarus David D, Sirdar Mohammed, Gcebe Nomakorinte
Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Mafikeng 2735, South Africa.
Agricultural Research Council-Bacteriology Laboratory, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Private Bag X 05, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa.
Vet Sci. 2025 Mar 31;12(4):315. doi: 10.3390/vetsci12040315.
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 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 PCR detection between seasons of the year ( = 0.001). Sequence analysis of PCR products showed similarity to the 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 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 detection tests, to resolve abortion or stillbirth cases, need to be considered.
Query热（Q热）通过先天性影响，如受感染家畜和野生动物的晚期流产、死产以及死亡或体弱的后代，造成巨大的经济和农业损失。由于南非小型反刍动物（绵羊和山羊）Q热的数据有限，这项横断面研究旨在确定西北省农场小型反刍动物中该疾病的血清学和分子流行率。使用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）检测显示血清阳性率为33.96%，且无显著风险因素。使用聚合酶链反应（PCR）进行分子检测显示检测频率为61.11%，山羊（36.51%）的检测率高于绵羊（24.60%）。一年中不同季节的PCR检测存在显著差异（P = 0.001）。PCR产物的序列分析显示与转座酶基因相似，验证了PCR结果。观察到ELISA和PCR结果之间存在合理的相关性，表明血清学和PCR检测结果一致。这项研究还表明，在南非西北省的农场中，通过血清学和PCR检测，该疾病的流行率都很高。因此，需要考虑将此类监测计划扩展到南非的其他省份，并纳入该疾病的检测试验，以解决流产或死产病例。
