Seroprevalence of brucellosis and chlamydiosis in sheep and goats with history of abortion in Iran

Abstract

• Brucellosis and chlamydiosis are common causes of abortion in livestock. • The prevalence of brucellosis was significantly higher in goats compared to sheep. • Inversely, goats showed a lower prevalence of chlamydiosis compared to sheep. • Brucella melitensis biovars 1 was identified in sheep and goats aborted fetuses. Abortion in small ruminants is a critical issue in many developing countries including Iran and causes devastating economic losses in small ruminant industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of brucellosis and chlamydiosis in sheep and goats with a history of abortion during lambing seasons in Iran. Samples were collected during 2019 from sheep and goat flocks located in Fars province (Southern Iran). A total of 124 sera (101 sheep and 23 goats) from aborted females as well as 29 aborted fetuses were sampled and analyzed for Chlamydia abortus and Brucella spp. using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA) for chlamydiosis and a set of serological (RBT, SAT and 2-ME and i-ELISA) and bacterial tests for brucellosis. Seropositivity to C. abortus was also detected in 21.7 % and 4.3 % of sheep and goats, respectively. Brucella specific antibodies were found in 29.1 %, 22.6 %, 20.9 % and 23.4 % of tested sheep and goats using RBT, SAT,2-ME and i-ELISA, respectively. Bacterial isolation and biotyping led to the characterization of B. melitensis biovars 1 in sheep and goats aborted fetuses of Fars province. High prevalence of infection associated with brucellosis and chlamydiosis in both sheep and goat with a history of abortion highlights risks of human zoonotic infections by these pathogens. Therefore, special attention is required for further study and control program to counteract these infections in animals and humans.