Q fever in cattle and sheep in Southern Africa. A preliminary report.

In the course of a study initiated to elucidate the role of known abortifacient in ruminants in Southern Africa, Coxiella burnetti was identified in smears prepared from bovine and ovine placental tissues obtained from 12 farms. The organism was also isolated in embryonated eggs, and specific antibodies were demonstrated in sera of animals originating from these farms. In 7 of the 12 herds in which Q fever was diagnosed, other pathogens were identified concomitantly.