Evaluate the seropositivity and presence of Coxiella burnetii in two naturally-infected goat herd without Q fever vaccination antecedents, as well as its associated microbiota in goats and bucks, including the environmental influence monitored over t
Two goat herds were longitudinally monitored following the implementation of a whole-herd vaccination protocol after a Q fever outbreak. Faecal, milk, vaginal, preputial,nasopharyngeal, environmental (qPCR and 16S rRNA), and blood samples (serology) were analysed. Before vaccination, over 70% of animals were seropositive, with qPCR positivity samples in 52% of the study animals. Seroconversion remained complete until the second kidding season and reached approximately 90% by the third. After primary vaccination, a reduction near to 40% of shedder animals was observed. During the second kidding, the pathogen was detected in 10% of animals in each herd, and only in a single goat (3%) from one herd during the third kidding. The persistent presence of animal shedders and environmental contamination supports early, whole-herd vaccination as a long-term strategy at least two years.Nasopharyngeal samples showed a potential relevant role for Q fever infection monitoring in goats. Metabarcoding revealed a significant reproductive impact, with vaginal microbiota richness remained lower in aborted goats together with Fusobacteriota dominance in the next kidding after the Q fever outbreak. These result underscore the importance of preventing C. burnetii infection in caprine herds due to its reproductive and productive consequences, which remain partly unknown.
Two goat herds were longitudinally monitored following the implementation of a whole-herd vaccination protocol after a Q fever outbreak. Faecal, milk, vaginal, preputial,nasopharyngeal, environmental (qPCR and 16S rRNA), and blood samples (serology) were analysed. Before vaccination, over 70% of animals were seropositive, with qPCR positivity samples in 52% of the study animals. Seroconversion remained complete until the second kidding season and reached approximately 90% by the third. After primary vaccination, a reduction near to 40% of shedder animals was observed. During the second kidding, the pathogen was detected in 10% of animals in each herd, and only in a single goat (3%) from one herd during the third kidding. The persistent presence of animal shedders and environmental contamination supports early, whole-herd vaccination as a long-term strategy at least two years.Nasopharyngeal samples showed a potential relevant role for Q fever infection monitoring in goats. Metabarcoding revealed a significant reproductive impact, with vaginal microbiota richness remained lower in aborted goats together with Fusobacteriota dominance in the next kidding after the Q fever outbreak. These result underscore the importance of preventing C. burnetii infection in caprine herds due to its reproductive and productive consequences, which remain partly unknown.