Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in vaginal swabs from aborted cattle in Mexico ; Detección molecular de Coxiella burnetii en hisopos vaginales de bovinos abortados en México ; Detecção molecular de Coxiella burnetii em swabs vaginais de bovinos abortados no México

Background: Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes Q fever, a worldwide contagious and zoonotic disease. Q fever is primarily transmitted to humans by infected cattle, sheep, and goats. Ruminants do not always develop clinical signs, except for pregnant females, which can present reproductive failure such as abortions and stillbirths. Regardless of its worldwide distribution, in Mexico this is considered an exotic disease, although serological evidence of C. burnetii has been demonstrated and at least six confirmed human cases have been reported. Objective: To assess the presence of C. burnetii in cattle in Mexico. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from 153 vaginal swabs obtained from cattle dwelling in 12 Mexican states and analyzed by PCR. Results: The C. burnetii IS1111 insertion sequence was identified by endpoint PCR in 33.33% (51/153) of the vaginal swabs. We obtained two nucleotide sequences that confirmed the genetic material of C. burnetii. Conclusion: Our results constitute a first step to elucidate the current epidemiology of Q fever in our country, and they indicate that cattle may be a reservoir of C. burnetii. To the best of our knowledge, this report provides the first molecular proof that this pathogen exists among cattle in Mexico. ; Antecedentes: Coxiella burnetii es una bacteria intracelular obligada que causa la fiebre Q, una enfermedad contagiosa y zoonótica a nivel mundial. La fiebre Q se transmite principalmente a los humanos a través de bovinos, ovinos y caprinos infectados. Los rumiantes no siempre desarrollan signos clínicos; excepto las hembras preñadas, que pueden presentar fallas reproductivas como abortos y mortinatos. Independientemente de su distribución mundial, en México la enfermedad se considera exótica a pesar de que se ha demostrado evidencia serológica de C. burnetii y se han reportado al menos seis casos humanos confirmados. Objetivo: Evaluar la presencia de C. burnetii en bovinos en México. Métodos: Se extrajo ADN genómico de 153 hisopos ...