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Publication
Is Coxiella burnetii circulating in wild birds in the North of Portugal?
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, a zoonosis of important public health concern, and a disease
that has a serious economic impact on the production of farm animals. The role of birds as vectors of bacteria
and other pathogens to farm animals has been suggested, thorough environmental contamination of
pasturelands, water supplies and feed by avian drops. Migratory birds might also be the mean of transport to
infected ticks, posing a risk to humans and animals. Although it is known that birds are potential reservoirs of
C. burnetii, their role in the epidemiological cycle of the pathogen is still scarce and has not been described in
Portugal so far. A survey was conducted for the detection of antibodies against C. burnetii in samples from 92
wild birds, collected in a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Northeastern Portugal. A commercial enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA; IDVet®, Montpellier, France) was used to detect antibodies specific to C.
burnetii, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. No samples tested positive. Results of the present study
indicate that antibodies against C. burnetii were absent in the study population, but further analysis are needed
to be able to infer the true seroprevalence of this bacterium in wild birds in the country.
Description
Keywords
ELISA Q fever Wildlife Zoonosis
Pedagogical Context
Citation
LOUREIRO, Filipa [et al.] (2024) - Is Coxiella burnetii circulating in wild birds in the Nrth of Portugal? In Congresso Internacional Veterinário Montenegro. XX Congresso de Medicina. XIX Congresso de Enfermagem, Santa Maria da Feira, 2024 - Resumos em livros de atas de congressos. p. 83. Póster.