Seroprevalence of Q fever Among Small Ruminants in Herat – Afghanistan

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Published Dec 30, 2023
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Vol. 2 No. 04 (2023): December

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Mohammad Hakim Niazmand
Noor Ali Mohmand
Aziz-ur-Rahman Niazi
Wahidullah Bahear
Hirai Takuya

Abstract

Background: Q fever is a zoonotic disease that poses a substantial threat to both public health and the economy. While small ruminants typically carry the infection without exhibiting symptoms, humans can experience severe clinical manifestations and complications, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Q fever among small ruminants in Herat province, Afghanistan.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional seroprevalence study was conducted in five sheep and goat farming locations in Herat. Sera samples were collected from 700 small ruminants (400 goats and 300 sheep) selected via a simple random sampling technique and analyzed using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ID Screen® Q Fever Indirect Multi-species; IDvet, France).  
Findings: The study revealed a high prevalence of Q fever in both goat (46.5%) and sheep (51.7%) populations. Local breed ruminants and goats that grazed outdoors exhibited the highest seroconversion rates, with 35.0% each. Geographically, the Guzara district, particularly Zangahab village, showed the highest seroprevalence among goats, with 19.7% positive serum samples. Similarly, among sheep, Guzara, Injil, and Pashton Zargon districts had seroprevalence rates of 24.4%, 17.3%, and 10.0%, respectively. No significant difference in seroprevalence was observed between sheep and goats. However, a significant association between seroprevalence and location (p<0.001) and village (p<0.001) was evident for both goats and sheep. Additionally, seroprevalence was significantly linked to ruminant breed and farming type for goats (p<0.001).
Conclusion: This study highlights the alarmingly high seroprevalence of Q fever among sheep and goats in the studied region, underscoring the need for effective control measures to protect both animal and human health.

Keywords

Guzara district, Heart province, Outdoor grazing, Q fever, Seroprevalence, Small ruminants

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How to Cite
Niazmand, M. H., Mohmand, N. A., Niazi, A.- ur-R., Bahear, W., & Takuya, H. (2023). Seroprevalence of Q fever Among Small Ruminants in Herat – Afghanistan. NUIJB, 2(04), 37–43. Retrieved from https://nuijb.nu.edu.af/index.php/nuijb/article/view/114

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