Korean J Vet Res.  2014 Sep;54(3):147-150.

Seroprevalence of Q-fever in Korean native cattle

• Kim JY
• Sung SR
• Pyun JI
• Her M
• Kang SI
• Lee HK
• Jung SC

Abstract

Q-fever is a vector-borne (Coxiella [C.] burnetii) zoonotic disease that is an increasing public health concern. To date, some research about Q-fever prevalence in dairy herds and human patients has been reported in Korea, but information about Korean native cattle is scarce. To measure the prevalence rates of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle, a total of 1,095 bovine serum samples collected during 2010~2013 were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sixty-eight heads of cattle were diagnosed as positive and while 19 heads were suspected (positive rate = 6.2%). Interestingly, Jeju province had a seropositivity rate six times greater than that of other provinces (18.9% vs. 3.2%). High seroprevalence might be caused by wide distribution of ticks in Jeju province compared to other regions. Based on these data, extensive monitoring of C. burnetii infection in cattle, tick distribution, and climate changes is required.

Keyword

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Korean native cattle; Q-fever; seroprevalence; ticks

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cattle*
Climate Change
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Head
Humans
Korea
Prevalence
Public Health
Seroepidemiologic Studies*
Ticks
Zoonoses