First genetic detection of Coxiella burnetii in Zambian livestock.

Q fever is a widespread zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, an obligate intracellular gram-negative bacterium. The investigation of C. burnetii infection in Zambian livestock was carried out using molecular detection techniques. A total of 489 cattle and 53 goat blood samples were collected from Chama, Chongwe, Monze, and Petauke districts in Zambia. Molecular screening by polymerase chain reaction was performed using C. burnetii-species-specific primers. In total, 38 cattle and 4 goat samples were positive. The prevalence of C. burnetii differed among the four sites, with Chama (Eastern province) recording the highest, although Monze (Southern province) did not record any case of the bacteria. This study reports the first genetic detection of C. burnetii in Zambia.