title: Molecular investigation of Coxiella burnetii infections in aborted sheep in eastern Turkey.
abstract: Q fever is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide and is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of C. burnetii infection in aborted sheep in eastern Turkey using PCR. A total of 200 fetuses were collected from aborted sheep belonging to 200 herds in different locations in the eastern part of Turkey. Foetal organ samples such as liver, spleen, lung and stomach were taken and the DNA was purified from two hundred pooled samples. PCR analysis of C. burnetii presence in infected organs was performed, and 4 samples (2%) were found positive. In addition, the pooled organ suspensions were inoculated to embryonated chicken eggs, and PCR analysis of yolk sacs showed C. burnetii DNA in 5 samples (2.5%). This study shows that C. burnetii infection has an important role in sheep abortions in eastern Anatolia region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Sivrice Vocational High School, University of Firat, 23119 Elazığ, Turkey;
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kılıç
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Firat, 23119 Elazığ, Turkey;
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kalender
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Veterinary Control Institute, 23200 Elazığ, Turkey;
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Koç
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Veterinary Control Institute, 23200 Elazığ, Turkey;
authors.forename: Ü
authors.initials: Ü
authors.lastname: Kılınç
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Veterinary Control Institute, 23200 Elazığ, Turkey;
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Irehan
authors.affiliation: UMR Infectiologie et Santé Publique (UMR ISP 1282), Site 311, Route de Crotelles, 37380 Nouzilly, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berri
keywords: Abortion; Eastern Turkey; PCR; Q fever; Sheep