Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Q fever exposure found in police officers and working dogs in Brazil
By Danilo Alves de França et al.·Published in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease·2024·Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 05508-220, Brazil, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Serosurvey of <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> in Police Officers and Working Dogs in Brazil: Case Report and One Health Implications
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of working dogs in Brazil, specifically police K-9s, were tested for exposure to a bacteria called Coxiella burnetii, which can cause Q fever. Out of 30 dogs, 9 tested positive for antibodies, indicating they had been exposed to the bacteria. Interestingly, female dogs showed a higher rate of infection compared to males. This study highlights the potential risk of transmission between dogs and their human handlers, suggesting that both groups should be monitored for this infection. Further research is needed to understand the prevalence of Q fever in other police dog units.
People also search for: dog Q fever symptoms · police dog health issues · Coxiella burnetii in dogs · how to protect my dog from infections
Abstract
Background: Although the <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> infection has been investigated in dogs, its role in human transmission remains to be fully established, particularly in close and daily human–dog contact settings, such as in Police K-9 Units. Methods: Accordingly, this study aimed to assess anti-<i>C. burnetii</i> antibodies in clinically healthy police officers by an in-house indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and working dogs by a commercial IFA Kit, from the State Special Operations Battalion, Paraná, Southern Brazil. Results: Overall, 1/18 (5.5%) police officers and 9/30 (30.0%; CI 95% 16.66–47.88) dogs tested seropositive to anti-<i>C. burnetii</i> IgG antibodies. Conclusions: To date, this is the highest prevalence of Q fever seropositivity among military dogs worldwide. Despite the low sampling rate, a statistically significant association was found between seropositivity and female dogs (<i>p</i> = 0.0492). Further studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to establish the prevalence of Q Fever in other Brazilian K-9 Units. In summary, this study is the first to conduct a concomitant serosurvey of police officers and working dogs, and its findings should be considered a warning for cross-exposure and transmission of <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> among Police K-9 Units in Brazil and worldwide.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9040078