1997 Volume 2 Issue 2 Pages 101-106
Q-fever, caused by Coxiella(C) burnetii, is one of the most important zoonoses. In the present study, the antibody against C.burnetii was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence antibody(IFA) test in 168 individuals of Japanese deer (Cervus nippon) to determine the prevalence of Q-fever in wild deer of northern Japan. Specific antibody against C.burnetii was found in 72(42.9%) deer, including 24 of 46(52.2%) in Hokkaido and 48 of 122(39.3%) in Tohoku. In Toya and Shari, the positive rate between adult(66.7%) and immature animals(17.6%) was significant (p<0.01). In adult deer, a significant difference was also noted between Hokkaido and Tohoku(p<0.01).
