AN OUTBREAK OF ABORTION IN AFSHARI SHEEP WITH PROBABLE INVOLVEMENT OF CAMPYLOBACTER FETUS

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Abortion is one of the most important factorsreducing lambing rate and consequently profitability of sheepfarms. In addition to financial losses, it is also important from azoonotic point of view. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study wasto investigate bacterial abortifacient agents in an outbreak ofabortion occurring in Afshari sheep in the northwest of Zanjanprovince. METHODS:Vaginal swab samples were collected from217 Afshari ewes (129 samples were taken from aborted ewes, 3samples from ewes with crippled and deformed lambs, and 85samples from animals that had given birth to healthy lambs) fromreported flocks involved in outbreak. Swabs were examined byPCR assay to detect DNAfrom Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydophilaabortus, Salmonella enterica, Yersinia enterocolitica, Campylobacterfetus, Brucella ovis and Leptospira interrogans. RESULTS:Based on the results, only DNA of Campylobacter was detectedin the samples. A 266 bp fragment specific for Campylobacterwas amplified from 51.52% and 34.12% samples belonging toaborted and non-aborted ewes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Significant presence of the bacterium in aborted ewes (p<0.001)compared to the non-aborted groups with odd ratio of 3,emphasizes that Campylobacter could be involved in theoutbreak of the abortion. Considering the importance of thedisease, prophylactic measures are needed to reduce the disease.However, further investigations are required to determine theimpact of this bacterium in prevalence of abortion in sheep inother areas.