Study on the Serological Diagnosis of Q-Fever in Animals

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present work is a study of the dynamics of the complement fixing antibodies (1^st-phase) in sheep and cattle after experimental and spontaneous infection with Coxiella burnetii. The results are used to explain their importance in the serological diagnostics of Q-fever. In the complement fixation test (CFT) are used 1^st-and 2^nd-phase Henserling antigens. Blood sera from sheep and cows are examined during a period of 18 months. The results show that the CF-antibodies against C. burnetii 1^st-phase antigen appear on 40–60 day post infection and persists for 1, 5–2 years. The 2^nd-phase CF-antibodies appear on to 7–19^th-day post infection and hold back up for at least five years (observation term). The parallel testing of bovine and ovine sera using 1^st-and 2^nd-phase antigens can be used for finding out of active Q-fever foci.