Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) and Toxoplasma gondii among dairy goats in California

Abstract

The prevalence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii and Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agents of Q fever and toxoplasmosis, was examined in goats to determine the extent of the potential of goats to tansfer these infections to persons. Of 1,054 goats from 234 premises in California, 248 goats (24%) were seropositive for C burnetii and 246 (23%) were seropositive for T gondii. Of 29 dairy goats tested, 2 (7%) were found to be shedding the Q fever rickettsia in their milk; T gondii was not detected. Factors of sex, age, location, and herd size are discussed.