Serosurvey and associated risk factors for Chlamydia abortus infection in cattle from Egypt

Abstract

Chlamydia abortus is an important gram-negative pathogen poses serious public health problem in human and reproductive disorders in animals. There are very few data on the prevalence of C. abortus in cattle and none on the associated risk factors for infection in cattle in earlier literature. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the risk factors and seropositivity of C. abortus infection in cattle. In northern Egypt, 400 cattle from five governorates were examined using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a cross-sectional study. The results revealed that the overall prevalence for C. abortus in cattle was 20.75 % and the highest level was observed in Gharbia 26.67 % while the lowest rate was found in Menofia governorate 15.38 %. The age, herd size, application of disinfection and history of abortion or stillbirth had significant association with prevalence of C. abortus infection by univariate analysis. In addition, Cattle above the age of 4 years, a median herd size of 10–50, the absence of disinfectant application, a history of stillbirth, and a history of abortion were all found as risk factors for C. abortus infection using multivariable logistic regression. These findings could be used to establish effective management strategies to prevent and control C. abortus infection in cattle and lower the risk of C. abortus infection in cattle in Egypt.