Molecular identification of Coxiella burnetii in vaginal swabs from aborted goats in Mexico

Q fever is an infectious, contagious and zoonotic disease that is considered a public health problem, but despite its worldwide distribution it is considered as exotic in the Mexican Republic. Q fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii, obligate intracellular bacteria that infects animals that not always develop clinical signs except for pregnant females, in which reproductive failures such as abortions and stillbirths can be presented. There are a few studies in Mexico in both animal and human populations that demonstrate serological evidence against C. burnetii and at least six human cases have been reported, but until now there is not any molecular evidence that demonstrates that this pathogen exists in our country. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of C. burnetii in goats that presented abortion. A total of 170 samples from goats were obtained from 8 states of the republic. Genomic DNA was extracted from vaginal swabs and the C. burnetii IS1111 insertion sequence was identified by endpoint PCR. One hundred forty-nine (149/170) (82.35%) goat vaginal swabs were positive to C. burnetii. Our results contribute to elucidate the current epidemiological panorama of our country and is the first molecular evidence that goats may be reservoirs of C. burnetii. •The aim was to determine the presence of C. burnetii in goats that presented abortion.•IS1111 insertion sequence was used as genetic marker to identified C. burnetii by PCR.•One hundred forty-nine (149/170) (82.35%) goat vaginal swabs were positive to C. burnetii.•This is the first molecular evidence of C. burnetii in Mexican goats.