Metabarcoding analysis of the microbiota in flocks naturally infected by <i>Coxiella burnetii</i>: First description of the global microbiota in domestic small ruminants.

ABSTRACT: This study investigates Q fever in sheep and goats, key reservoirs for human infection, by metabarcoding and comparing it with q-PCR and serology. Samples from 26 small ruminants (aborted and normal-delivery) and six males across three Q fever-affected herds were analyzed. In sheep herds, seropositivity was 50 and 80 % respectively, with Coxiella (C.) burnetii shedding detected vaginally in the second herd. In goats, 100 % seropositivity and 90 % C. burnetii detection were observed, with nasal and vaginal samples showing the highest detection rates. Metabarcoding revealed significant differences in alpha diversity, with greater richness in blood and evenness in milk from normal-delivery sheep and higher evenness in faeces from aborted sheep. Beta diversity showed distinct vag

SUBMITTER: Toledo-Perona R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11908555 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature