Molecular and serologic detection of Coxiella burnetii in native Korean goats (Capra hircus coreanae)

•The PCR-based assay used in this study is of significant importance because no comprehensive data are available on the direct detection of C. burnetii in blood samples from small ruminants.•First study on C. burnetii infection in native Korean goats using PCR and ELISA.•Out of 597 goats, 114 (19.1%) seropositive by ELISA and 57 (9.5%) positive by PCR.•Eighteen animals (3.0%) were C. burnetii-positive by both ELISA and PCR.•A relatively high prevalence of Q fever infection in native Korean goats confirmed.

The occurrence of Q fever in native Korean goats (Capra hircus coreanae) was investigated for the first time in the country using ELISA and PCR. A total of 597 blood samples were collected from goats belonging to five different provinces of Korea. To detect Coxiella burnetii, sera were separated from the whole blood and analysed by ELISA; DNA was extracted directly from the whole blood and analysed by PCR. Overall, 114 (19.1%, 95% C.I. = 16.1-22.4) and 57 goats (9.5%, 95% C.I. = 7.5-12.2) tested positive for C. burnetii in the ELISA- and PCR-based screening, respectively, while 18 goats (3.0%, 95% C.I. = 1.9-4.7) tested positive in both the assays. There was a significant difference between the number of ELISA- and PCR-positive goats (P < 0.05). The seroprevalence of Q fever was significantly higher among the adult goats (≥1 y, 22.0%) than among the young goats (<1 y, 13.8%) (P < 0.05). While the results of the serologic analysis showed no seasonal variation, data from the PCR-based assay indicated that there were a higher number of positive cases during the cold seasons. Because Q fever infection has high rates of prevalence in native Korean goats, further studies on humans at a high risk of contracting this disease should be conducted. The PCR-based assay used in this study is a useful method for the direct detection of C. burnetii in blood samples from small ruminants.