SEROPREVALENCE OF COXIELLA BURNETII IN BULK TANK MILKSAMPLES OFFERED FOR SALE IN ERZURUM

Coxiellaburnetii is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes Q fever in humans. Detection of Coxiellaburnetii in raw milk sample is accomplished by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of coxiellaburnetii in bulk tank milk samples of 24 cattle and 8 goats, which were offered for sale in Erzurum, Turkey. Moreover, pH values were also measured to detect possible relation with pH value and C. burnetiiseropositivity of milk sample. C. burnetii was found positive in 16 (66.7%) of the 24 cattle bulk tank milk samples, and 1 (12.5%) of the 8 goat milk. No statistically significant relation was observed between pH values and positivity of cattle bulk tank milk samples. In conclusion, seropositivity of the milk samples were very high in Erzurum, Turkey. The raw milk sold in local market may cause shedding of Q fever. Therefore, the raw milk should be subjected to heat treatment before consumption to prevent possible transmission of Q fever disease.