Genetic Diversity, Phylogenetic Structure, and Assessment of the Zoonotic Potential of Coxiella burnetii Strains Circulating in Africa: Review Study

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Coxiella burnetii, the bacterium responsible for Q fever, is an obligate intracellular pathogen. Q fever is a global zoonotic disease, except in New Zealand, and has significant economic and public health consequences. In Africa, although studies on human and animal seroprevalence are well documented, knowledge regarding the evolution and phylogenetic structure of circulating C. burnetii strains remains incomplete. This review analyses the genetic diversity, phylogenetic structure, and zoonotic potential of C. burnetii strains circulating in Africa and assesses the zoonotic potential of the various identified genotypes. This study involved reviewing scientific data published in Africa between January 2006 and January 2026 on molecular characterisation, as well as on the diagnostic methods used: MST (Multispacer Sequence Typing) and MLVA (Multiple-Locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis). Our analysis show marked genetic heterogeneity, characterised by the predominance of variants specific to the African continent. The MST group QT19 is more prevalent in West Africa, whereas East and North Africa exhibit distinct profiles. An assessment of pathogenicity reveals that African C. burnetii strains harbour important virulence determinants, such as the QpH1 plasmid, the adaA gene, and specific Type IVB secretion system effectors, causing acute forms of Q fever, case of atypical pneumonia, and chronic endocarditis in humans. Based on these findings, this study highlights the need to implement a comprehensive One Health surveillance strategy that combines systematic genetic characterisation with rigorous clinical monitoring to stay ahead of the threat of emerging zoonotic diseases in Africa. This structured literature review offers recommendations aimed at strengthening molecular surveillance, developing African C. burnetii genomics networks, and integrating One Health approaches to improve understanding of the epidemiology of Q fever and its zoonotic potential on the African continent.

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