Associate ProfessorKatrina Bosward

Project Opportunities

Title: Investigations into the impact of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) on livestock production systems

Summary of opportunity:

The bacterial pathogen, Coxiella burnetii is known for its public health impacts as the cause of Q fever in humans however its health and production impacts on livestock reservoirs (cattle and sheep) are still poorly understood. This exciting field- and laboratory-based project will focus on detecting Coxiella burnetii infection in cattle and sheep and measuring its impacts along the production cycle to produce highly applicable guidelines and recommendations for the livestock industry. 

Opportunity synopsis:

The project will involve field work to sample large numbers of animals at various stages along the production cycle to determine when transmission of Coxiella burnetii occurs in sheep flocks and cattle herds and to measure the impacts of infection upon the animal's health and various production parameters (e.g. fertility, weight gain in calves). The project will involve laboratory analysis of samples utilising various molecular, serological, immunological and cell culturing methodologies (e.g. PCR, ELISA, whole blood stimulation assays) as well as genotyping techniques. There is the opportunity to also develop epidemiological skills in study design and data analysis. The project is highly focused on producing practical and highly applicable outcomes for the livestock industry. 

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Project Opportunities

Title: Modelling the impact of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) on livestock production systems

Summary of opportunity:

The bacterial pathogen, Coxiella burnetii, is known for its public health impacts as the cause of Q fever in humans however its health and production impacts on livestock (cattle and sheep) are still poorly understood as is the financial cost of these impacts to the livestock industries. This exciting project will involve the design and implementation of epidemiological observational studies and the development of simulation models, to assess transmission and/or impacts of Coxiella burnetii in ruminant (cattle and sheep) production systems in Australia. 

Opportunity synopsis:

The research will encompass the design and implementation of epidemiological observational studies to assess the effects of Coxiella burnetii on reproductive performance of cattle and calf growth on commercial farms. The aim will be to define transmission rates of the organism within and between cattle mobs within herds. Subsequent to this a beef heard simulation model will be developed to explore the impacts of Coxiella burnetii on physical and financial performance of the herd under various assumptions and scenarios. There is the possibility of the modelling being extended to other ruminant production systems, including sheep production and potentially also being used for other agents of disease. 

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Project Opportunities

Title: The impact of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) on cattle and sheep

Summary of opportunity:

The bacterial pathogen, Coxiella burnetii is known for its public health impacts as the cause of Q fever in humans however its health and production impacts on livestock reservoirs (cattle and sheep) are still poorly understood. This exciting field- and laboratory-based project will focus on detecting Coxiella burnetii infection in cattle and sheep and measuring its impacts along the production cycle to produce highly applicable guidelines and recommendations for the livestock industry. 

Opportunity synopsis:

The project will involve field work to sample cattle and sheep at various stages along the production cycle to determine when transmission of Coxiella burnetii occurs and to measure the impacts of infection upon the animal's health and various production parameters (e.g. fertility, weight gain in calves, lambing percentage). The project will also involve laboratory analysis of samples utilising various molecular, serological, immunological and cell culturing methodologies (e.g. PCR, ELISA, whole blood stimulation assays) as well as potentially genotyping techniques. There is the opportunity to also develop epidemiological skills in study design and data analysis. The project is highly focused on producing practical and highly applicable outcomes for the livestock industry.