Genomic Detection of Coxiella burnetii in Cattle Milk Samples by Nested-PCR method in Bonab, Iran

Q fever is a zoonotic agent that is endemic in the many parts of the World. It has animal origin as considered as an emerging and re-emerging zoonose in many countries, including Iran. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the primary reservoirs for Q fever. Organisms are excreted in milk of infected animals. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of Coxiella burentii in raw samples obtained from sheep in Bonab. This study was carried out from Autuman 2014 to Winter 2014. Overall, 120 milk samples were collected from 100 dairy cattle breeding complexes and the diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii was confirmed by Nested-PCR method. In this study, in total, 26 samples (21.66%) were found to be positive for the presence of Coxiella burnetii. Considering the importance of the bacterium, Coxiella burnetii, rapid and accurate diagnosis is of great significance. Due to high accuracy and high speed, molecular techniques are mostly effective in the diagnosis. Thus, the localization of molecular techniques in the diagnosis of Q fever is highly recommended. The results indicated that Cattle's milk could be a potential reservoir of Coxiella burnetii in Iran.