الفهرس 
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Abstract
This study was performed to report epidemiology of Q-fever in cows, buffalo and human in Assiut Governorate by detection of C. burnetii in the sera of cows, buffalo and human by using ELISA, as well as identification of C. burnetii by RT- PCR in selected blood samples of cows, buffalo and human and ticks’ samples.
I. Animals
In this study, samples were collected from 364 blood samples from cows (268) and buffalo (96). The age of these animals was ranged between 5 months to more than 3 years in buffalo, and between 2 months to more than 3 years in cows. The examined animals included 47 females and 49 males for buffalo, in addition to 92 females and 176 males for cows. Screened for C. burnetii ELISA was conducted. A total of 15.67% and 37.5% in cows and buffalo, respectively were serologically positive.
The seropositivity was higher in females than males of cows and buffalo. Higher seroprevalence in cows was observed in the age group more than 1Y - 2Y. In buffalo, higher seroprevalence was reported in the age group more than 3Y. Dairut city recorded the highest seroprevalence rate of C. burnetii in cows, while in buffalo, the highest seroprevalence rate was reported in Manfalut city. Cow C. burnetii seroprevalence was higher in the hot season than in the cold season, while in buffalo, the seroprevalence was higher in the cold season than in the hot season.
Cows and buffalo with no ticks recorded higher seroprevalence rates than those had ticks. The native breed in cows was more infected than Friesian and mixed breeds. Cows with clinical signs recorded higher seroprevalence than those apparently healthy. Cows with fever and pneumonia recorded higher seroprevalence compared with animals with other signs.
In this study, molecular identification of C. burnetii in blood samples of cows and buffalo was performed. selected blood samples (42) in cows and (36) in buffalo were examined. In cows and buffalo, 33 (78.57%) and 34 (94.44%) blood samples were positive to C.burnetii in animals, respectively.
II. Human
A total number of 90 patient suffering from fever of unknown origin was used in this study. The age of people ranged from 16 to more than 60 years-old, from urban (32) and rural (58) regions, and including females (52) and males (38). In this study, ELISA was used for detection of C. burnetii infection in human serum samples. The seroprevalence rate of C. burnetii was 14.44%. The seroprevalence rate of C. burnetii was higher in male than female. According to age, the highest seroprevalence rate of C. burnetii in this study was detected in the age group between 41 and 50 years-old.
According to residence, the seroprevalence rate of C. burnetii in this study was higher in rural regions than urban regions. Moreover, the seroprevalence rate of C. burnetii was higher among farmers than housewives and students. Molecular identification of C. burnetii in blood samples of human was performed. selected blood samples (13) were examined, and all selected samples (100%) were positive to C. burnetii.
III. Ticks
Cows and buffalo were infested by two different species of ticks Rhipicephalus annulatus and Hyalomma dromedarii identified by dissecting microscope. Molecular identification of C. burnetii in ticks from cows and buffalo was performed. selected ticks’ pools (7) in cows and (2) in buffalo were examined, each pool represent a region. Nine ticks (100%) were positive to C. burnetii.