What are the most documented clinical effects of Q fever in goats and sheep?

• A. Abortions, stillbirths, early neonatal mortality
• B. Diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting
• C. Skin lesions, fever, arthritis
• D. Neurological signs, seizures, coma

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is how Q fever presents in small ruminants, specifically goats and sheep. Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, most reliably causes reproductive problems in these animals. The most consistently documented outcome is abortion in late pregnancy, often accompanied by stillbirths and early neonatal mortality. This pattern is due to the pathogen’s strong affinity for placental tissue, leading to placentitis and fetal death, with heavy shedding of bacteria in placental tissue and birth fluids. Because the reproductive tract is the primary site affected, abortions and weak newborns are the hallmark findings, and large outbreaks (abortion storms) can occur.

Diarrhea, dehydration, and vomiting are not typical features of Q fever in goats and sheep, so they don’t fit the common disease pattern. Other signs like skin lesions, arthritis, fever, or neurological signs can occur with different diseases or in other contexts, but they’re not the most documented or characteristic manifestations of Q fever in these animals.