Prevalence and risk factors of coxiellosis in meat goat herds: an epidemiological investigation in Northeastern Thailand

Q fever/coxiellosis poses a significant threat to both human and animal health, with goats serving as important reservoirs for disease transmission. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of coxiellosis and identify associated risk factors within meat goat herds in northeastern Thailand. A total of 39 meat goat herds were examined, with 84.61% of these herds experiencing reproductive disorders suggestive of Coxiella burnetii infection. Serum samples (n = 513) and vaginal swabs (n = 334) were collected from 522 goats for serological and molecular analyses, respectively. Results unveiled an overall herd prevalence of 74.35% (29/39), with a within-herd prevalence of 15.49% (95% CI: 10.86–20.12). Univariate analysis indicated that knowledge about the transmission of coxiellosis in herd owners serves as a protective factor against C. burnetii infection at the herd level (OR: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.01–0.92; p = 0.04). Multivariable analysis identified two significant risk factors associated with C. burnetii infection at the herd level, including herd establishment exceeding 5 years (OR: 7.14; 95% CI: 1.05–48.4; p = 0.04), as well as reproductive failures including abortion, infertility, and weak offspring (OR: 17.65; 95% CI: 1.76–177.45; p = 0.01). Individual-level risk factors included female gender (OR: 8.42; 95% CI: 1.14–62.42; p = 0.03), crossbreeding (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.32–4.82; p = 0.005), and clinical signs of anaemia (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.01–2.64; p = 0.04). These findings underscore the widespread prevalence of Q fever in meat goat herds within the study area and emphasize the necessity of implementing targeted control strategies.