European Rabbits as Reservoir for Coxiella burnetii

Abstract

We studied the role of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a reservoir for Coxiella burnetii in the Iberian region. High individual and population seroprevalences observed in wild and farmed rabbits, evidence of systemic infections, and vaginal shedding support the reservoir role of the European rabbit for C. burnetii.

Keywords

• Coxiella burnetii
• bacteria
• lagomorph
• Q fever
• European rabbits
• Oryctolagus cuniculus