Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Vaccination with monovalent Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni and its implication for the diagnosis of natural infection in dogs","authors":"Christine Griebsch,&nbsp;Nicolle Kirkwood,&nbsp;Michael P. Ward,&nbsp;Jacqueline M. Norris","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Using microscopic agglutination test (MAT), a single titre ≥ 1/800 in dogs unvaccinated against leptospirosis is considered suggestive of infection. The emergence of canine leptospirosis in Sydney, Australia, led to considerable vaccination uptake with monovalent <em>Leptospira interrogans</em> serovar Copenhageni, yet the humoral response post-vaccination has not been described. Aims were to characterise magnitude and duration of humoral response post-vaccination with serovar Copenhageni (Protech®C2i, Boehringer Ingelheim, Australia) in healthy dogs to assess potential effects on diagnosis. Serial MAT testing (24 serovars) was performed before and after annual booster vaccination (group 1, n = 13) and primary vaccination (group 2, n = 14). Serum was collected before and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 26, 39 and 52 weeks post-vaccination. Antibodies against serovar Copenhageni developed in 62 % (8/13) in group 1 (highest titre 1/100) and 71 % (10/14) in group 2 (highest titre 1/400). Antibodies developed against seven other serovars both from the same and from multiple different serogroups and exceeded titres to Copenhageni in 33 %. In group 2, titres reached 1/800 in weeks 1 and 2 post-vaccination (serovar Bratislava). One dog (group 1) developed antibodies to Bratislava but not Copenhageni. Four in group 1 (31 %) and group 2 (29 %) had no antibody response detected. There was no association between vaccination history and seroconversion, however response was more pronounced after primary vaccination. Most (group 1, 77 % (10/13); group 2, 71 % (10/14)) had no antibodies by week 12. Vaccination elicited a weak, short humoral response, unlikely to interfere with diagnosis, except within two weeks of completing a primary vaccination course.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102418"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145395039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The changing reservoir of the zoonotic Hepatitis E virus in Türkiye: A novel potential threat to public health?","authors":"Hakan Aydin ,&nbsp;Mehmet Ozkan Timurkan ,&nbsp;Osman Aktas","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102407","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102407","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pigs are considered the main reservoir of the zoonotic Hepatitis E virus (HEV) world-wide. However, in countries where there is no pork industry or pork consumption, the adaptation of zoonotic HEV (genotype 3) to different species has remained a controversial issue. The objective of our study was to investigate wild rodents as a potential new reservoir or host animal for the transmission of HEV to humans. In this study, HEV RNA was investigated in liver, lung, and spleen samples from 391 rodents of the genus <em>Microtus</em> collected from areas close to rural settlements and in blood samples taken from 50 anti-HEV IgG/IgM-positive individuals living in these regions. Sequence analyses and molecular characterizations of the HEV strains identified in both species were performed and phylogenetic trees were constructed. HEV RNA was detected in 8 of 50 human blood samples (16 %) and 6 of 391 rodents (1.5 %). When compared with the reference sequences obtained from NCBI, our rodent and human HEV strains were found to be genotype 3. It was determined that the rodent and human HEV sequences obtained from our study were 97.6–98.6 % identical. Reference rodent HEV strains formed a separate phylogenetic branch from the study strains and clustered within the Rocahepevirus group. Our study has shown that wild small mammals may play a role in the epidemiology of zoonotic HEV infection and therefore should be considered as potential reservoirs of the disease. Multidisciplinary collaboration (“One Health” approach) is required for the surveillance and control of HEV infection which threatens the public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102407"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145253260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of neutralizing antibody to Feline herpesvirus type 1 in cat serum","authors":"Jia Yang ,&nbsp;Rui Mei ,&nbsp;Kangyixin Sun ,&nbsp;Fuqiang Xu ,&nbsp;Fan Jia","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102419","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102419","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Feline Herpesvirus-1 is a major pathogen that causes feline viral rhinotracheitis, pneumonia, and ocular diseases. This virus is transmitted through direct or indirect contact with secretions from infected cats. Approximately 80 % of infected cats establish lifelong latent infections, making FHV-1 a persistent and significant threat to feline health. Current control strategies mainly rely on antiviral medications and vaccines to mitigate disease severity and reduce viral transmission. However, the extent to which individual cats can develop protective immunity following FHV-1 infection or vaccination remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, a double-reporter FHV-1 was employed to detect neutralizing antibody titers in serum samples collected from 89 domestic cats. The results revealed that 93.75 % of unvaccinated cats exhibited a positive FHV-1-neutralizing antibody, whereas 82.19 % of the cats in the vaccinated group lacked detectable neutralizing antibodies, indicating individual variation in immune responses. Subsequent correlation analyses within the vaccinated group demonstrated that cats aged 3–12 months and aged ≥ 12 months were 11.32-fold and 9.22-fold more likely to exhibit viral suppression compared to those aged ≤ 3 months, respectively. These findings suggest that FHV-1 has a high natural infection rate, and vaccination can enhance the levels of neutralizing antibodies, although vaccine effectiveness varies among individuals. Therefore, the development of diverse vaccine formulations and the implementation of routine serological screening are crucial for disease control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102419"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145363056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toward assessing serodiagnosis of Q fever in high occupational-risk workers","authors":"Anna Morea ,&nbsp;Paolo Trerotoli ,&nbsp;Angela Stufano ,&nbsp;Valentina Schino ,&nbsp;Giorgio Di Leone ,&nbsp;Isabella Intino ,&nbsp;Francesca Indraccolo ,&nbsp;Mariaelisa Carbonara ,&nbsp;Giacomo Guido ,&nbsp;Francesco Di Gennaro ,&nbsp;Annalisa Saracino ,&nbsp;Domenico Otranto ,&nbsp;Filipe Dantas-Torres ,&nbsp;Piero Lovreglio ,&nbsp;Roberta Iatta","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Q fever, a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium <em>Coxiella burnetii</em>, occurs in acute or chronic forms in humans. Diagnosing acute and chronic Q fever relies mainly on detecting antibody titers against phase II and I antigens by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), the reference standard test. This study assessed the seroprevalence of anti-<em>Coxiella burnetii</em> antibodies by IFAT in 269 high occupational-risk workers along with the accuracy of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA), routinely used in diagnostic laboratories, compared to IFAT, in detecting both IgM and IgG against phase II and I antigens. The overall seroprevalence in the screened population detected by IFAT was 55 %, including one case with phase I IgG titer &gt; 1:1024 (possible chronic form) and three cases with phase II IgG titers <u>&gt;</u> 1:128 (possible acute form). The seroprevalence recorded by the three tests varied from 36.8 % (IFAT) to 57.2 % (CLIA), up to 78.1 % (ELISA) for phase II IgG. Similarly, phase II IgM and phase I IgG were detected in 3 % and 22.7 % by IFAT and 27.9 % and 39 % by ELISA. ELISA presented high sensitivity (100 % and 96 %) and negative predictive value (100 % and 93.2 %) in detecting phase II IgM and IgG, respectively. Conversely, ELISA and CLIA presented the lowest specificity (i.e., 32.4 % and 55.3 %, respectively) in detecting phase II IgG. These findings suggest that the results of ELISA and CLIA should be confirmed by IFAT, being useful in discriminating between acute, chronic, and past disease, when risk factors (e.g., employment in high-risk occupations) and/or clinical signs for Q fever are suspected.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modeling and field-derived insights into canine leptospirosis in feral and domestic dogs of Texcoco, Mexico: A One Health approach","authors":"José Salcedo-Jiménez ,&nbsp;Yazmín Alcala-Canto ,&nbsp;Ernestina Valadez-Moctezuma ,&nbsp;Juan José Pérez-Rivero","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102420","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102420","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Leptospirosis, a globally important zoonosis, poses a significant health risk to both human and animal populations. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of <em>Leptospira</em> spp. in feral and domestic dogs in Texcoco, Mexico, and to model the disease's transmission dynamics. We tested 349 asymptomatic dogs using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) for antibodies against multiple serovars. To simulate disease spread, we developed a Susceptible–Exposed–Infectious–Chronic–Recovered–Deceased (S-E-I-C-R-D) compartmental model, simulating transmission over 365 days. Overall seropositivity was 51 % (178/349), with a higher prevalence in feral dogs (55.3 %) and in non-vaccinated animals. The most frequent serovars were <em>L. canicola</em> (79.7 %) and <em>L. bratislava</em> (45.6 %). The model projected sustained transmission within the feral dog population, with prevalence peaking and stabilizing at a high level. This finding, with a simulated prevalence that approached 98 %, suggests that chronic carriers and constant environmental exposure could drive high pathogen circulation. Domestic dogs, while showing a lower simulated prevalence, likely contribute to the pathogen's persistent circulation. The combination of high field seroprevalence and model-based findings underscores that leptospirosis remains a significant public health concern in Texcoco, highlighting the urgent need for integrated control strategies that include vaccination, rodent management, and community education, aligned with a One Health approach that links animal, human, and environmental health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102420"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145394988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and risk factors of Chlamydia abortus infection in small ruminants from North-Central Algeria","authors":"Nabila Boukhalfa ,&nbsp;Mohamed Douifi","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102408","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102408","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Chlamydia abortus</em> is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for enzootic abortion in sheep and goats, posing a significant threat to both livestock productivity and public health. In order to assess the prevalence of <em>Chlamydia abortus</em> and associated risk factors in the small ruminant population, a cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2023 and December 2024 across four provinces in north-central Algeria (Medea, Blida, Aïn Defla, and Djelfa). A total of 896 sheep and goats from 96 herds were tested using an indirect ELISA targeting anti-<em>C. abortus</em> IgG antibodies. The prevalence at the herd level and the individual level was 84.4 % and 30.4 %, respectively. Mixed-species herds showed the highest herd-level prevalence (87.8 %), followed by sheep (82.8 %) and goat herds (77.8 %). Transhumant herds (91.4 %) and those with reproductive losses (90.5 %) exhibited elevated prevalence rates, although the differences were not statistically significant. In contrast, large herds (&gt;100 head) had significantly higher infection rates (95.2 %). At the individual level, females had a higher, though non-significant, prevalence than males (31.8 % vs. 25.3 %). Animals older than four years and females with reproductive disorders exhibited the highest seroprevalence rates (38.2 % and 60.0 %, respectively), both associations being statistically significant. The province of Djelfa emerged as the most affected province, with the highest herd-level (91.4 %) and individual-level (36.5 %) prevalence. These findings confirm the endemicity of <em>Chlamydia abortus</em> in north-central Algeria and call for improved surveillance and prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102408"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geospatial distribution of Glanders in a tropical area of northeastern Brazil: A retrospective spatial and spatiotemporal approach (2020–2024)","authors":"Valdir Vieira da Silva ,&nbsp;Wanessa Ingrid de Albuquerque Paiva ,&nbsp;Magadyel Matias Moura de Melo ,&nbsp;Isabelle Valente Neves ,&nbsp;Samy Bianchini ,&nbsp;Denny Parente de Sá Barreto Maia Leite ,&nbsp;Jonatas Campos de Almeida ,&nbsp;José Wilton Pinheiro-Junior ,&nbsp;Pollyanne Raysa Fernandes de Oliveira ,&nbsp;Rinaldo Aparecido Mota","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102409","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102409","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Glanders is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium <em>Burkholderia mallei</em>, affecting equids and posing a public health risk. In Brazil, the disease remains endemic in several regions, particularly in the Northeast. This study aimed to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of glanders cases and the risk of infection in equines in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, between 2020 and 2024. Official data on confirmed glanders cases in equines from all 185 municipalities of Pernambuco were used. Incidence risk (IR), global and local spatial autocorrelation (Moran's Index), Kernel density analysis, and space-time cluster identification using SaTScan™ software were applied. A total of 120 glanders cases were reported across 43 municipalities, with the highest concentration in the Metropolitan, Agreste, and Zona da Mata mesoregions. The year 2022 showed the highest number of cases (38) and the highest IR (2.87 per 10,000 equines). Spatial analysis revealed a positive autocorrelation (I = 0.023; p = 0.005), with high/high risk patterns in the municipalities of Olinda, Paulista, Camocim de São Félix, and Sairé. Cluster analysis identified primary high-risk clusters in Olinda under both retrospective (RR = 582.77) and prospective (RR = 299.80) approaches. It is concluded that glanders displays a heterogeneous and regionalized distribution in the state, with critical transmission areas. The results underscore the importance of integrated and targeted surveillance for the prevention and control of the disease in endemic and border areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102409"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145321319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surveillance of avian influenza viruses in the Izumi plain reveals the role of wild ducks in the introduction of H5N1 HPAIVs during the 2023/24 winter season.","authors":"Mana Esaki, Kosuke Okuya, Kaori Tokorozaki, Yuko Haraguchi, Jun Ito, Makoto Ozawa","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102389","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102389","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Izumi plain, located in the southern part of Japan, serves as a major overwintering site for endangered crane species, including the hooded crane (Grus monacha) and the white-naped crane (Grus vipio). Since the 2012/13 winter season, continuous surveillance of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in environmental water and wild birds has been conducted in this region. During the 2023/24 winter season, 45 isolates of H5N1 high pathogenicity AIVs (HPAIVs) and 24 isolates of low pathogenicity AIVs (LPAIVs) were obtained at different time points from crane roost water. Additionally, H5N1 HPAIVs were detected in four wild ducks in November 2023 and in eight cranes in December 2023. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that all H5N1 HPAIVs belonged to subclade G2d of clade 2.3.4.4b, with early winter isolates-particularly those from wild ducks and roost water-occupying more ancestral phylogenetic positions. These findings suggest that wild ducks likely introduced HPAIVs into the overwintering site. Genotype analysis based on the genetic constellations of all eight gene segments indicated the co-introduction of multiple HPAIV genotypes into the Izumi plain and suggested bidirectional gene segment exchange between HPAIVs and LPAIVs. Hemagglutination inhibition assays detected no H5 HA-specific antibodies in six overwintering cranes, implying a limited role for cranes in virus dissemination. Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of continued virological surveillance and genetic monitoring of AIVs at major overwintering sites, where close ecological interactions between wild ducks and cranes facilitate cross-species transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"123 ","pages":"102389"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"FPV induces apoptosis in PBMCs through intrinsic pathways both in vivo and in vitro","authors":"Haibing Dong ,&nbsp;Jiahui Li ,&nbsp;Xinyue Zhang ,&nbsp;Yongle Yu,&nbsp;Haiyan Yang,&nbsp;Chuanmei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102402","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Feline parvovirus (FPV) is a typical carnivore parvovirus that infects felines as well as foxes, raccoons, and other animals in their natural habitats. Cats infected with FPV exhibit symptoms of leukopenia. However, there are limited literature reports on the cause. We hypothesized that leukopenia might be related to the induction of PBMCs apoptosis by FPV. In this study, we explored the effect of FPV on PBMCs by IFA, CCK-8, and qPCR. The results showed that FPV could decrease cell viability and accelerate cell apoptosis. The expression levels of Intrinsic and extrinsic cytokines were significantly increased in cultured cells, and the expression levels of Intrinsic apoptosis-related cytokines were increased in vivo PBMCs. These results indicate that FPV can induce apoptosis through both Intrinsic and extrinsic pathways in vitro, but only through Intrinsic pathways in vivo.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102402"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145026707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global epidemiology and molecular typing of Coxiella burnetii: A systematic review of Q fever in humans and animals","authors":"Mohamed Rahal ,&nbsp;Omar Salhi ,&nbsp;Imane Ouchetati ,&nbsp;Nadjet Amina Khelifi Touhami ,&nbsp;Nassim Ouchene","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, provides a comprehensive synthesis of epidemiological data on Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, in humans and animals worldwide. A total of 1321 publications were identified, of which 166 met the inclusion criteria. Q fever, first described in 1937 in Australian abattoir workers, remains a globally distributed zoonosis, with domestic ruminants (sheep, goats, cattle) serving as the primary reservoirs and sources of human infection. Transmission occurs mainly via inhalation of contaminated aerosols, particularly during parturition or abortion events. The pathogen is a strict intracellular bacterium with a small genome (∼2 Mb) and plasmid diversity that contributes to strain variation. Laboratory diagnosis relies primarily on serology (IFA as gold standard) and PCR for early detection, while cultivation is restricted to BSL-3 facilities due to biosafety concerns. Molecular epidemiology has progressed with typing methods such as Multispacer Sequence Typing (MST), Multiple-Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA), and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). MST is widely used due to its reproducibility and application to clinical and environmental samples, though MLVA and WGS provide higher discriminatory power. Genotyping has revealed significant host- and region-specific diversity, with some lineages, such as MST17 in French Guiana, associated with severe disease. Geographically, Q fever shows marked heterogeneity. In Europe, sporadic cases coexist with large outbreaks, exemplified by the Netherlands epidemic (2007–2010) with &gt; 4000 confirmed human cases linked to goat farms. France, Germany, Spain, and Italy also report endemicity, often with regionally distinct genotypes. In Africa, prevalence varies widely, reaching up to 32 % in Egypt and &gt; 70 % in camels in Algeria, though surveillance is limited. North America, Latin America, Asia, and Australia also document circulation, with underdiagnosis common outside Europe. Overall, the study highlights Q fever as a persistent global zoonosis with underestimated burden, requiring strengthened surveillance, molecular epidemiology, and One Health approaches to mitigate human and animal health impacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102401"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144932701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}