Detection of Coxiella burnetii infection in a saharawi dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas neglecta)

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, can infect a wide range of host species, but limited information exists on the occurrence and implications of infection in wild species. This study describes a natural infection in a population of dorcas gazelles (Gazella dorcas) from a zoo. A 9-yr-old male Saharawi dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas neglecta) tested positive on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Despite treatment with oxytetracycline, the animal did not clear the infection after 6 mo, as confirmed by a PCR test on a semen sample. This is the first report of a Saharawi dorcas gazelle infection with C. burnetii and the first time that C. burnetii was detected in semen from a zoo animal, suggesting the possibility of venereal transmission in captive wild species. This may have major implications for management of zoo populations, particularly in endangered species. © 2016 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	García-Seco, T., Pérez-Sancho, M., Martínez-Nevado, E., Álvarez, J., Santiago Moreno, Julián, Goyache, J., Domínguez, L., García, N.
Format:	artículo biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 2016
Subjects:	Coxiella burnetii, Gazella dorcas neglecta, Saharawi dorcas gazelle, Semen, Wild ruminants,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12792/1626 http://hdl.handle.net/10261/291313
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