Coxiella burnetii is a gram negative cocco bacillus that causes Q-fever disease in animals. It belongs to a group of organisms known as Rickettsia. The infection has been found in various wild and domestic animals and birds and in some arthropods, such as ticks. The species most commonly infected are cattle, sheep and goats. Infections with Coxiella burnetii include placentitis (inflammation of the placenta) and subsequent abortion in cattle, sheep and goats.
Outside the animal the bacteria assumes a small, dense, long lasting spore-like form which is able to resist heat and drying. It can then contaminate dust and spread by wind for long distances. It is so highly infectious that a single inhaled organism can cause clinical illness in an animal or person. Outbreaks typically occur following a birth or abortion where the environment becomes contaminated with birth fluids. Q-fever can also be spread by ticks which pass the bacteria from an infected to a susceptible animal, and whose feces contain the bacteria thus also contaminating the environment. The organism may be present in the reproductive fluids or raw milk from infected animals. Animal vaccination has been used in areas where the infections are common. More generally, sanitary measures to remove afterbirth and birth fluids, and to clean and disinfect areas where animals have given birth can prevent the disease from spreading.
Q-fever is listed in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code and Member Countries and Territories are obligated to report occurrences of the disease to the OIE. This assay is used for the detection of both C. burnetii and C. symbiont, however, it cannot differentiate between the two subtypes.
Method
Real -Time PCR
Sample Type
Accredited:
Culture, EDTA Blood, Milk, Tissue.
Alternatives:
Swab / Secretion (Genital).
Transport Condition
Samples should be transported at 4°C. Milk must be frozen after collection.
Turn Around Time (TAT)
Normal Turnaround time for pathogen Identification is within 5 working days. Urgent Samples will be reported within half of the minimum test period & will be Charged Double.
Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day unless urgent.
Coxiella burnetii is a gram negative cocco bacillus that causes Q-fever disease in animals. It belongs to a group of organisms known as Rickettsia. The infection has been found in various wild and domestic animals and birds and in some arthropods, such as ticks. The species most commonly infected are cattle, sheep and goats. Infections with Coxiella burnetii include placentitis (inflammation of the placenta) and subsequent abortion in cattle, sheep and goats.
Outside the animal the bacteria assumes a small, dense, long lasting spore-like form which is able to resist heat and drying. It can then contaminate dust and spread by wind for long distances. It is so highly infectious that a single inhaled organism can cause clinical illness in an animal or person. Outbreaks typically occur following a birth or abortion where the environment becomes contaminated with birth fluids. Q-fever can also be spread by ticks which pass the bacteria from an infected to a susceptible animal, and whose feces contain the bacteria thus also contaminating the environment. The organism may be present in the reproductive fluids or raw milk from infected animals. Animal vaccination has been used in areas where the infections are common. More generally, sanitary measures to remove afterbirth and birth fluids, and to clean and disinfect areas where animals have given birth can prevent the disease from spreading.
Q-fever is listed in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code and Member Countries and Territories are obligated to report occurrences of the disease to the OIE. This assay is used for the detection of both C. burnetii and C. symbiont, however, it cannot differentiate between the two subtypes.
Method
Real -Time PCR
Sample Type
Accredited:
Culture, EDTA Blood, Milk, Tissue.
Alternatives:
Swab / Secretion (Genital).
Transport Condition
Samples should be transported at 4°C. Milk must be frozen after collection.
Turn Around Time (TAT)
Normal Turnaround time for pathogen Identification is within 5 working days. Urgent Samples will be reported within half of the minimum test period & will be Charged Double.
Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day unless urgent.
