Antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsiae and Coxiella burnetii among domestic animals in southern Croatia.

The sera of dogs, goats, sheep and cattle (total 153) from the Kastelas' bay area (middle part of the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea) were tested for antibodies against Rickettsia conorii and Coxiella burnetii by a complement fixation test. The overall percentages of positive sera among the tested animals were 23.9% for R. conorii and 16.4% for C. burnetii. The results show that animals in this area are clearly being exposed to spotted fever group rickettsiae as well as to C. burnetii. For comparison, six sheep sera from the flock, living in known Q fever focus in hinterland area and linked with outbreak of Q fever among owners were tested. Antibodies to C. burnetii but not for R. conorii were present in all six sera.