Serological and molecular evidence of coxiellosis and risk factors in sheep flocks in central-eastern Tunisia.

In this study, we conducted an investigation to determine the true prevalence of coxiellosis in sheep in central-eastern Tunisia. A total of 492 veterinary samples taken from 110 flocks were screened for coxiellosis using IS1111-based real-time PCR assay. Sheep sera were tested using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Based on molecular and serological results, the true adjusted animal and herd-level prevalence of coxiellosis were 11.8% and 20.21%, respectively. Bacterial excretion was observed in 17 flocks, and 19 females showed evidence of Coxiella burnetii shedding (100%). In addition, a statistically significant association was found between vaginal and milk shedding for sheep. Multivariable logistic regression analysis at the animal-population level indicated that strata and vaccination variables were found to be associated with coxiellosis. Besides, it was shown that this infection increased when the intensive farm was exposed to carnivores and when the cleaning practices were not respected, while it decreased when a suitable quarantine was introduced for any introduction of a new animal. Good hygiene and sanitation practices on-farm should be handled as strategies to deal with this zoonotic pathogen in herds.