ISOLATION OF COXIELLA-BURNETII FROM BULL SEMEN

Previous observations on the dissemination of Coxiella burnetii betwee n laboratory animals strongly support the hypothesis of venereal trans mission. Serum and semen samples, from 57 bulls used for artificial in semination, were assayed for specific C. burnetii phase II antibodies and the presence of the organism respectively. Viable C. burnetii were detected in the semen of seropositive bulls. These findings indicate the possibility of sexual transmission of C. burnetii between cattle a nd further our knowledge of the epidemiology of the organism. The proc edures used for investigations into the source of infection and route of transmission should be modified to take these findings into account .