Summary
This investigation of a C. burnetii abortion cluster in a Uruguayan dairy herd demonstrates that vertical transmission to live-born calves was not a significant route of infection in this population. Instead, the study reveals that imported commercial colostrum replacer was likely the source of seroconversion in 95% of seronegative newborn calves, a finding with important implications for seroepidemiological interpretation in herds using such replacers and for understanding the epidemiology of Q fever in dairy cattle.
UK applicability
The findings are relevant to UK dairy herds that use imported colostrum replacers, suggesting a potential confounding factor in serological surveys for C. burnetii. The result highlights the need for caution in interpreting neonatal serology when commercial colostrum products are used, and may inform biosecurity and product sourcing practices in UK dairy operations.
Key measures
Anti-C. burnetii IgG serology by ELISA; C. burnetii DNA detection by PCR; timing of seroconversion relative to colostrum ingestion
Outcomes reported
The study determined seroprevalence of C. burnetii in cows and newborn calves, and identified whether seronegative calves seroconverted after ingesting imported commercial colostrum replacer. All calves born to seropositive cows were seronegative at birth, but 95% of seronegative calves became seropositive within 24 hours of consuming colostrum replacer.
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