Q-fever research – retrospective studies on roe deer samples

This project has been finalized. The findings have been reported to the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and have been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

The results indicate that roe deer may be infected with Coxiella burnetii., so previously published recommendations to minimize zoonotic risk are still valid.

The project

From 2007 to 2010, a Q-fever epidemic occured in humans in the Netherlands. Q-fever is a disease caused by Coxiella burnetii infection. The epidemic is still ongoing, and has been associated with infected dairy goat farms. Humans are assumed to be infected mainly through aerosols. This is also a route of infection in animals.

C. burnetii infection has been described in mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian species, as well as in ticks. Little is known about C. burnetii infection in wildlife in the Netherlands.

Hunters and nature managers showed particular interest into more insight into the situation in roe deer, given the zoonotic potential of the agent, and given possible effects of the disease on roe deer reproduction.

In first instance, serum and tissue samples available at the Dutch Wildlife Health centre were tested retrospectively for evidence of Coxiella burnetii infection. The serological and PCR tests were performed by the Central Veterinary Institute (CVI) of Wageningen UR.

This research was made possible by funding of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.