title: Detection and Genotyping of Coxiella burnetii and Coxiella-Like Bacteria in Horses in South Korea.
abstract: Coxiella burnetii and Coxiella-like bacteria (CLB) are genetically and ecologically distinct despite some genetic similarities. Furthermore, CLB are exceptionally diverse and widespread in ticks, but rarely detected in domestic animals. Since Coxiella bacteria can be transmitted from infected horses by inhalation or by coming in contact with ticks during activities such as horseback riding, it is necessary to study their prevalence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first large-scale nationwide investigation of the prevalence of C. burnetii and CLB among horses reared in South Korea. Of 816 blood samples collected between 2007 and 2013, 11 (1.3%) were identified as C. burnetii by ELISA, and six (0.7%) as CLB by 16S rRNA sequencing. While a sequence from Jeju Island was similar (97.9-100%) to those within clade B, five sequences obtained from the northern region were categorized into a new clade, indicating the sequence diversity of the genus Coxiella. Studies until date had detected CLB only in ticks; here, we describe their detection in mammals. Given their zoonotic potential, strategic monitoring and appropriate control programs for Coxiella species need to be established.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.|Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Goo
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Dorene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: VanBik
authors.affiliation: Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: In-Ohk
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Ouh
authors.affiliation: Division of Veterinary Service Lab, Institute of Public Health & Environment, Incheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Smile Equine Clinic, Busan, South Korea.
authors.forename: Eunsang
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Horse Industry, Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries, Jeonju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Division of Malaria & Parasitic Disease, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Wan
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Gil-Jae
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Oh-Deog
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.|Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Dongmi
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0876-3179
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kwak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001483:Base Sequence; D016997:Coxiella burnetii / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006736:Horses / Q000382:microbiology*; D011778:Q Fever / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S