Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A comparison of the serological evidence of Coxiella burnetii exposure between military working dogs and feral canines in Iraq.
- Journal:
- Military medicine
- Year:
- 2011
- Authors:
- Havas, Karyn A & Burkman, Kay
- Affiliation:
- Army Medical Department Center and School · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at military working dogs (MWDs) and feral dogs in Iraq to see if they had been exposed to a germ called Coxiella burnetii, which causes a disease known as Q fever that can affect humans. Blood samples were taken from 115 MWDs and 165 feral dogs between 2007 and 2008. The results showed that none of the MWDs had been exposed, while about 5.5% of the feral dogs had, which is a significant difference. This suggests that the measures taken to protect MWDs from this disease, like using tick control and giving them a preventive antibiotic called doxycycline, are working well. However, if a MWD has a fever and has recently returned from deployment, veterinarians should still consider the possibility of Q fever and inform the appropriate authorities if it is diagnosed.
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of the zoonotic disease Q fever. Military working dogs (MWDs) are exposed to disease while deployed and are a potential source for human infection. This study assesses the exposure of MWDs via postdeployment antibody serology. In 2007 and 2008, 115 deployed MWDs and 165 feral Iraqi canines had blood samples taken and evaluated for antibodies to C. burnetii. None of the MWDs seroconverted, alleviating the need to consider predeployment titers, while 5.5% of feral canines seroconverted. This difference was significant with a p value of <0.05. MWD vector control measures and prophylactic doxycycline administration are effective in Q fever disease control and prevention. Thus, MWDs may be less effective as sentinels for human populations in regards to tickborne diseases caused by C. burnetii. Nonetheless, veterinarians presented with an MWD with a fever of unknown origin should consider C. burnetii if the dog has recently redeployed, and if diagnosed should make the kennel master and medical treatment facility aware of the zoonotic risk.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22128642/