Study of C. burnetii human and animal seroprevalence in a rural population in Madrid community
A pilot study on human seroprevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii in the Madrid region, initiated in a small rural population, shows a 15.4% positivity by the indirect immunofluorescence test. An urban sample shows an 8.8% positivity. Animal seroprevalence in livestock located in the village under study is 76.6% in caprine and 17.7% in bovine. A high risk epidemiological situation is detected.
Seroepidemiological survey of Q fever in León Province, Spain
A seroepidemiological survey, using an indirect immunofluorescence test against Coxiella burnetii (antigenic phase II), was carried out in León province, north-western Spain. A total of 406 serum samples was collected from people (from 15 to more than 65 years old) living in a rural environment during the winter and spring of 1994. The overall prevalence was 40.6%, titres ranged from 1:80 to 1:640, and a titre of 1:80 was encountered among 60.6% of positive samples. A significant higher prevalence was observed among males globally, as well as among those aged 15–44 and 45–64 years old; however, no difference was encountered among males and females older than 64 years. In the same way, a significant higher Q fever prevalence was observed among individuals having occupations related to agriculture and among those having close relationship with animals.
Immunization with Brucella melitensis Rev 1 against Brucella ovis infection of rams.
The efficacy of Brucella Melitensis Rev 1 vaccine (Rev 1) for the prophylaxis of Brucella ovis ram epididymitis was evaluated. Twenty-nine 3-month-old rams were vaccinated with 2 X 10(9) Rev 1 and 14 were revaccinated with 5 X 10(8) at 14 months of age. Six rams remained unvaccinated as a control group. All rams were challenged with 5 X 10(8) B. ovis at 21 months of age. Before being slaughtered 8 weeks later, only one vaccinated ram developed epididymitis while four of the six control rams developed testicular alterations. Genital and selected extragenital organs and lymph nodes were removed at slaughter and inoculated on selective media. B. ovis was isolated from 26.6% of the vaccinated rams, 21.4% of the revaccinated rams and 100% of control rams. Portions of epididymis, testes and vesicular glands were also used for pathological studies. More severe lesions were observed in control rams than in vaccinated ones. In conclusion, these results show that vaccination of young lambs, followed or not by revaccination, is a suitable method for the prophylaxis of B. ovis infection of rams.