First molecular genotyping of Coxiella burnetii associated reproductive disorders in domestic ruminants, Tamil Nadu, India.

Coxiellosis is an important zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. In most animals, the disease is subclinical, whereas in humans, more pronounced clinical manifestations are observed. Domestic ruminants, especially goats, act as an important reservoir of the agent. In animals, it causes reproductive disorders and is excreted in high numbers along with abortion contents. Molecular characterization of C. burnetii strains is very important in epidemiological investigations and is useful in outbreak investigations and identification of probable source of the agent. To date, no such studies have been carried out on C. burnetii strains of Indian origin. In this study, we report the plasmid typing and MLVA typing of 17 strains of C. burnetii strains obtained from cases of reproductive disorders in cattle, sheep, and goat. Two different plasmid types QpH1 and QpRS, were detected among the 17 samples, and in MLVA typing, ms23 locus could not be typed for all 17 strains, hence, they were classified as partial. A total of three novel allelic combinations were observed among the 17 samples in MLVA typing. The results indicate that novel genotypes are involved in causing reproductive disorders in domestic ruminants, and further studies are warranted to understand the implications of these strains in humans.