Prevalence and risk factors of Coxiella burnetii seropositivity in Danish beef and dairy cattle at slaughter adjusted for test uncertainty

The prevalence was significantly higher in dairy breeds (AP = 9.11%; TP = 9.45%) than in beef breeds (AP = 4.32%; TP = 3.54%), in females (AP = 9.10%; TP = 9.40%) than in males (AP = 3.62%; TP = 2.61%) and in dairy herds (AP = 15.10%; TP = 16.67%) compared to beef herds (AP = 4.54%; TP = 3.66%). The Bayesian logistic regression model identified breed group along with age, and number of movements as contributors for C. burnetii seropositivity. The risk of seropositivity increased with age and increasing number of movements between herds. Results indicate that seroprevalence of C. burnetii is lower in cattle sent for slaughter than in Danish dairy cows in production units. A greater proportion of this prevalence is attributed to slaughtered cattle of dairy breeds or cattle raised in dairy herds rather than beef breeds.