Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) Exposure in Smallholder Dairy Cattle in Tanzania

Simple Summary Infectious zoonotic diseases that cause infertility and abortion, such as Q fever, negatively impact the growing dairy sector in low- and middle-income countries and represent a risk of spillover of disease into human populations. A cross-sectional study was conducted in smallholder dairy cattle in six regions of Tanzania, between July 2019 and October 2020, to determine the prevalence and the risk factors associated with Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) exposure. A total of 2049 dairy cattle blood samples were collected and tested for antibodies to C. burnetii. The overall seroprevalence was 3.9%. The final logistic mixed effects regression model showed extensive feeding management and low precipitation as factors associated with Q fever seropositivity. The findings indicate that C. burnetii is circulating at relatively low levels among smallholder dairy cattle across the major dairy producing regions in Tanzania. Control efforts could focus on extensive management systems from areas with relatively low precipitation or during the dry season to further reduce the risk of C. burnetii exposure. Moreover, concerted efforts to carry out active surveillance employing a One Health approach to understand the epidemiology and its impact in animal production and human health are recommended. Q fever is a zoonotic disease, resulting from infection with Coxiella burnetii. Infection in cattle can cause abortion and infertility, however, there is little epidemiological information regarding the disease in dairy cattle in Tanzania. Between July 2019 and October 2020, a serosurvey was conducted in six high dairy producing regions of Tanzania. Cattle sera were tested for antibodies to C. burnetii using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A mixed effect logistic regression model identified risk factors associated with C. burnetii seropositivity. A total of 79 out of 2049 dairy cattle tested positive with an overall seroprevalence of 3.9% (95% CI 3.06-4.78) across the six regions with the highest seroprevalence in Tanga region (8.21%, 95% CI 6.0-10.89). Risk factors associated with seropositivity included: extensive feeding management (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.25-3.77), and low precipitation below 1000 mm (OR 2.76, 95% 1.37-7.21). The disease seroprevalence is relatively low in the high dairy cattle producing regions of Tanzania. Due to the zoonotic potential of the disease, future efforts should employ a One Health approach to understand the epidemiology, and for interdisciplinary control to reduce the impacts on animal and human health.

Automated summary

This study conducted a serosurvey in six high dairy producing regions of Tanzania to investigate the presence of Q fever (C. burnetii) in smallholder dairy cattle. The overall seroprevalence was relatively low, and risk factors associated with seropositivity included extensive feeding management and low precipitation. The study recommends employing a One Health approach for active surveillance and interdisciplinary control to minimize the impact on animal and human health.