Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Stray Cats in Central Anatolia

Authors: SELÇUK KILIÇ, TOMOYOSHI KOMIYA, BEKİR ÇELEBİ, NİJAT AYDIN, JUNKO SAITO, HIROKO TORINIWA, BİLGE KARATEPE, CAHİT BABUR

Abstract: Coxiella burnetii causes Q fever (Coxiellosis) in humans and animals worldwide. The present study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Q fever among stray cats in 3 providences (Ankara, Niğde, and Kayseri) in Central Anatolia, Turkey. A total of 143 sera from stray cats were examined for the presence of IgG against C. burnetii phase II antigen by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Seven out of the 143 (4.9%) stray cats were seropositive for Q fever, with titers of 1:64 to 1:256. Seroprevalences in Ankara, Niğde, and Kayseri provinces were 1.6%, 7.4%, and 8.3%, respectively. This is the first report of the presence of C. burnetii in cats in Turkey.

Keywords: Coxiella burnetii, cat, seroprevalence, IFAT

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