Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium that is the causative agent of Q fever, an important zoonotic. Domestic ruminants, mainly goats and sheep, are the main source of Q fever outbreaks in humans. Very scant information is available on the role and status of Q fever in wildlife in Kenya.
This seroepidemiological survey was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence and associated factors of coxiellosis in sheep, goats and impalas at the Amboseli National Park wildlife-livestock corridor in Kenya. 5 ml whole blood was collected through jugular venepuncture from 300 sheep, 200 goats and 20 impalas. Sera were then collected and tested for antibodies against Coxiella burnetii using ELISA CHEKIT Q fever test kit. The seroprevalence at 95% confidence interval in sheep was 6% (2.7%, 9.3%), 21.7% (17%, 26.4%) in goats and 25% (6%, 44%) in impalas. The study also concluded that species and sex were significant risk factors. A semi-structured questionnaire was also administered in all the households to gather general household data and assess pastoralist knowledge on Q fever, none of the respondents had ever heard of the disease. These findings demonstrate that Q fever could be circulating among the wildlife, livestock and humans in the study area and further investigation is required. http://ijirk.com/archive_v2i10_paper_pdf/IJIRK-2.10.03.pdf