This study aimed to detect C. burnetii antibodies and active C. burnetii infection in cattle slaughtered at the Sokoto main abattoir. 184 serum samples (121 from males and 63 from females) were systematically obtained and analyzed using a C. burnetii indirect ELISA kit obtained from ID.vet Innovative Diagnostics Grabels, France. The test was carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The microplates were read at 450 nm using a plate reader. Seropositive samples were further analyzed for the molecular identification of the organism, involving DNA extraction, DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gel electrophoresis. The study found an overall seroprevalence of 5.4% for C. burnetii antibodies. A statistically significant association was observed between C. burnetii seropositivity and the presence of ectoparasites (P=0.001). However, no statistically significant associations were found between seropositivity and sex (p=0.094), age (p=0.213), or breed (p=0.934). Additionally, no detectable band was obtained on the gel image after repeated PCR cycles, indicating that active C. burnetii infection was not detected in the study. The findings from the study indicated the presence of circulating antibodies against C. burnetii among cattle presented for slaughter in the study area, though no active infection was detected. It is recommended that ectoparasites, especially ticks, should be studied to understand their role in the epidemiology of C. burnetii in the area. Further studies are also needed to determine the prevalence of the disease in other parts of the state, sedentary herds, and among other species of ruminants.
Key words: Seroprevalence, C. burnetii, ELISA, Polymerase chain reaction, Zoonosis, Abattoir
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