Abortion In Sheep Research Articles

Acute phase proteins, proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress biomarkers in sheep, goats and she-camels with Coxiella burnetii infection-induced abortion

Acute phase proteins (APPs) and oxidative stress are helpful markers in diagnosis of several infectious diseases. APPs, proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers were evaluated for their role in the diagnosis of naturally acquired Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) associated with abortion in sheep, goats and she-camels. Blood, aborted materials and vaginal swabs were collected from mixed herds in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Antioxidant biomarkers showed significant decline in cases of abortion compared to control animals at delivery time. The correlation between disease status and all parameters ranged from moderate to high. The APPs, cytokines and the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) displayed a high degree of distinction between aborted sheep and goat and normal delivered animals (AUC > 0.90). However, only MDA showed a high degree of differentiation (AUC > 0.90) between aborted she-camels and normal delivered controls. In conclusion, results from our study allow us to recommend using APPs, cytokines and oxidative stress markers as an additional tool for diagnosis of naturally occurring C. burnetii infection in sheep, goats and she-camels. However, it does not replace standard procedures for detection of C. burnetii.

Toxoplasma gondii in Aborted Fetuses of Sheep in Ardebil Ar-ea, North-West of Iran

One of the severe complications of toxoplasmosis is the induction of abortion in sheep, goats, and human beings. The rate of abortions related to toxoplasmosis in sheep varies between 10% and 23% in the United States and European countries. In Iran, Toxoplasma infection were diagnosed in aborted ovine fetuses between 13.5% and 69% in the brain samples based on PCR. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of abortions related to T. gondii among the aborted fetuses of sheep in Ardabil area, North-West of Iran. The brains of 75 aborted sheep fetuses in Ardebil area were investigated with nested PCR method using fragments of the GRA6 gene during lambing seasons in 2014-2015. Meanwhile, thoracic and abdominal fluids of aborted fetuses and 200 serum samples collected from the herds affected by abortion were examined for the existence of anti-T. gondii IgG. For 48 out of the 75 fetal brain samples (64%), the results of nested PCR test were found to be positive. Furthermore, antibodies against Toxoplasma was observed in 136 (68%) collected samples of sheep and 21 samples (28%) of fetal fluids. There is the significant role of T. gondii in the abortions of sheep in Ardabil area. Meanwhile, this condition can also be dangerous for human beings because of their consumption of sheep meat.

Seroprevalence Investigation for Viral Determined Agents of Abortion in Ewes at El-Menoufia Province

Abortions in sheep represent an important cause of the reduction of productivity and the increase economic losses. There are numerous potential reasons for abortion in ewes, yet making an authoritative finding is frequently difficult. This investigation, identified instances of abortion among sheep in various areas in El-Menoufia governorate. One hundred and ten serum samples were collected from 65 aborted sheep and 45 in contact one. The samples were analyzed to determine the suggested viral etiological determinants. The antibodies against of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV), Bovine Herpes Virus (BHV), Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) and Bluetongue Virus (BTV) were detected in the serum samples obtained from aborted sheep by serum neutralization test (SNT) and indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (IELISA). The result of SNT showed positive percentage against BVD, BHV, RVF and BTV as 14.54%, 0.9%, 66.36% and 0.9% respectively. While the results of ELISA test was 18.18%, 3.63%, 77.27% and 2.72% for the four viruses respectively. The results of present study concluded that the RVF is the main viral cause for abortion in sheep in El-Menoufia governorate.

Molecular Study of INF gamma Gene in Aborted Placenta Induced by Brucella Melitensis in Ewes

Brucella melitensis is an important cause of ovine abortion in several sheep rearing countries, The immunological control of the pathogen in the placenta or by the fetus could be the key to determine the mechanism of abortion and ⁄ or transplacental transmission to the fetus. This work was performed to detect INF gamma gene sequence in the DNA of AL- ousi breed, . and in association with ovine abortion caused by Brucella melitensis. The cytokine gene expression, analyzed by PCR, was performed to explore the immunological regulatory mechanisms of IFN-γ on and its effect on abortion. The results indicated the presence of amplified fragment around ∼340 bp in length compared to the ∼55 bp that was predicted, also, the level of DNA expression was the highest in placenta of normal delivered group and the lowest in aborted placental.

Histopathology and Spatial Distribution of Putative Growth Factors in Relation to Bacterial Localization of Campylobacter jejuni Within the Ovine Gallbladder.

Campylobacter jejuni is an important zoonotic pathogen that is the leading cause of both human foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and ovine abortion in the United States. Previous studies have demonstrated that the gallbladder of ruminants is often positive on culture for Campylobacter sp., suggesting that this environment may serve as a chronic nidus of infection for maintenance of disease within populations. The objective of this study was to determine if previously identified putative growth promoting factors of C. jejuni are present within the gallbladder mucosa of sheep and to evaluate for bacterial co-localization of C. jejuni with these compounds following experimental inoculation. Direct gallbladder inoculation with C. jejuni sheep abortion (SA) clone clinical isolate IA3902 followed by immunohistochemical analysis and scanning electron microscopy allowed for identification of C. jejuni at the gallbladder mucosal surface and within the gallbladder submucosal glands. Histochemistry identified several putative Campylobacter growth promoting factors including neutral and acid mucins as well as L-fucose to be present both on the mucosal surface as well as in the gallbladder submucosal glands. In summary, following experimental inoculation of the ovine gallbladder, C. jejuni IA3902 was identified in direct contact with the gallbladder mucosal surface and deep mucosal glands in the same location as several putative growth promoting factors. This suggests the yet to be tested hypothesis that under natural conditions of infection, the gallbladder submucosal glands have the potential to provide a protected niche for chronic carriage of C. jejuni in animal hosts.

Treatment with Bumped Kinase Inhibitor 1294 Is Safe and Leads to Significant Protection against Abortion and Vertical Transmission in Sheep Experimentally Infected with Toxoplasma gondii during Pregnancy.

Previous studies on drug efficacy showed low protection against abortion and vertical transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant sheep. Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs), which are ATP-competitive inhibitors of calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1), were shown to be highly efficacious against several apicomplexan parasites in vitro and in laboratory animal models. Here, we present the safety and efficacy of BKI-1294 treatment (dosed orally at 100 mg/kg of body weight 5 times every 48 h) initiated 48 h after oral infection of sheep at midpregnancy with 1,000 TgShSp1 oocysts. BKI-1294 demonstrated systemic exposure in pregnant ewes, with maximum plasma concentrations of 2 to 3 μM and trough concentrations of 0.4 μM at 48 h after each dose. Oral administration of BKI-1294 in uninfected sheep at midpregnancy was deemed safe, since there were no changes in behavior, fecal consistency, rectal temperatures, hematological and biochemical parameters, or fetal mortality/morbidity. In ewes infected with a T. gondii oocyst dose lethal for fetuses, BKI-1294 treatment led to a minor rectal temperature increase after infection and a decrease in fetal/lamb mortality of 71%. None of the lambs born alive in the treated group exhibited congenital encephalitis lesions, and vertical transmission was prevented in 53% of them. BKI-1294 treatment during infection led to strong interferon gamma production after cell stimulation in vitro and a low humoral immune response to soluble tachyzoite antigens but high levels of anti-SAG1 antibodies. The results demonstrate a proof of concept for the therapeutic use of BKI-1294 to protect ovine fetuses from T. gondii infection during pregnancy.

Biosurveillance study of Schmallenberg disease in Azerbaijan in 2012-2017

ObjectiveSchmallenberg virus (SBV) is an orthobunyavirus that primarily infects domestic and wild ruminants and causes symptoms such as transient fever, diarrhea, reduced milk production, congenital malformations and abortion. The first virus was identified in 2011 at the onset of a major outbreak in Europe (Germany, Hungary, and France).IntroductionIn 2012 - 2017 in Azerbaijan there was an unexpected increase of abortions in cattle and sheep that was unrelated to brucellosis or chlamydia infection. The first confirmed case of Schmallenberg disease was received from Beylagan district of Azerbaijan in October 2012. The import of cattle from Europe to Azerbaijan has commenced in 2012. Therefore, the surveillance study was launched to determine spread of infection among cattle and sheep and to monitor the situation in the country.MethodsState Veterinary Control Service notified 42 Regional Veterinary Offices of Azerbaijan to commence the monitoring of Schmallenberg disease. Blood samples were collected from sheep, and cattle and biopsies of heads or necks from aborted fetuses were sampled too.. The collected samples were tested in the Republican Veterinary Laboratory. ELISA was used to investigate the presence of specific antibodies against Schmallenberg virus in the blood samples using IDEXX Schmallenberg Ab Test Kit. The commercially available real-time PCR kits (VetMAX™ Schmallenberg Virus Kit) were applied to test the biopsy samples. Both tests were recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health.ResultsTotal, 40,257 blood samples were collected from suspicious cattle and sheep. 671 biopsies samples were taken from fetuses. 4,281 cattle and 999 sheep with antibodies against SBVwere detected. The PCR results showed that the 77 biopsies samples were positive for SBV. The highest numbers of seropositive animals were found in Ganja, Aghdash, Barda, and Baku.ConclusionsThis biosurveillance study determined SBV in the samples of cattle and sheep in Azerbaijan, therefore, it is important to carry out annual seromonitoring and start the vaccination program. It is essential to check the passport of imported cattle, which has the disease history and seroprevalence of SBV.ReferencesLaloy, E., Breard, E., Sailleau, C., Viarouge, C., Desprat, A., Zientara, S., Klein, F., Hars, J., Rossi, S., 2014. Schmallenberg virus infection among red deer, France, 2010-2012. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 20, 131–134. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2001.130411Larska, M., Krzysiak, M.K., Kesik-Maliszewska, J., Rola, J., 2014. Cross-sectional study of Schmallenberg virus seroprevalence in wild ruminants in Poland at the end of the vector season of 2013. BMC Vet. Res. 10, 967. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-014-0307-3

Risk factors for reproductive disorders and major infectious causes of abortion in sheep in the highlands of Ethiopia

Community-based sheep breeding programs (CBBPs) were established in Ethiopia since 2010. Improved rams from CBBPs need to be disseminated. However, there is a risk of transmitting reproductive diseases to other community flocks. To investigate this a cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015/16 to determine serological status of major infectious causes of abortion and associated risk factors in sheep in the highlands of Ethiopia. A total of 120 households from three districts (Bonga, Horro and Menz) were enrolled in the study. Per farm, 3–4 samples of animals aged >2 years were collected. A total of 445 sera were tested for Chlamydia spp., Coxiella burnetti, Toxoplasma, Brucella spp. and Border disease virus. Poison regression was used to model the number of abortions, number of neonatal lost and number of stillbirths in the flocks. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was fitted to identify covariates associated with prevalence of infectious causes of abortion. The study found that 20% [95% CI 12.74, 27.26] of flocks had recent experience of sheep abortion, lamb losses was at 65% [95% CI 56.34,73.65] and still birth at 10% [95% CI 4.55,15.44]. The incidence risk ratio for abortion was higher in larger flocks. Neonatal losses were higher in C. burnetii and Toxoplasma gondii positive flocks, in one of the districts, and in flocks with more than 30 animals. The serological analyses revealed the presence of three abortive infections, while none of the samples tested positive for Brucella spp. or Border disease virus. Of the 120 flocks tested, 107 (89.17%) were positive for Chlamydia spp., 82 (68.33%) for C. burnetii, and 85 (70.83%) for T.gondii. The results highlight the likely contribution of different infectious agents in the reproductive disorders in sheep production in Ethiopia. The high sero-prevalence of infectious agents, especially Chlamydia spp., at both flock and animal level, warrants more in-depth research to attribute reproductive problems to these pathogens.

Isolation and identification of Brucella melitensis using bacteriological and molecular tools from aborted goats in the Afar region of north-eastern Ethiopia

BackgroundInfection with Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis) is one of the most important causes of abortion in goats and sheep, and also causes severe systemic disease in exposed humans. In Ethiopia, based on seroepidemiological studies, brucellosis is known to be endemic. However, there is little information on the isolation and molecular detection of Brucella species in small ruminants. Therefore, the present study was conducted in the Amibara district of Afar Region of Ethiopia to isolate and molecularly detect Brucella infection in small ruminants.ResultsOut of the total 64 samples cultured, eight samples (five vaginal swabs and three milk) were positive for Brucella species based on colony morphology, growth characteristics, modified acid fast staining and biochemical tests results. Further identification using Brucella- ladder PCR method showed that four of the isolates (three from vaginal swabs and one from milk) from goats amplified fragments of 1071 bp, 794 bp, 587 bp, 450 bp and 152 bp in band size. The molecular result combined with the microbiological and biochemical characteristics of the isolates indicated that the isolates were strains of B. melitensis.ConclusionThe finding of this study could suggest economic and zoonotic significance of B. melitensis and warrants for the need for control strategies in livestock and creation of awareness in the pastoral communities on the safe consumption of foods of animal origin and avoidance of physical contact with aborted materials.

First reported detection of biofilm formation by Campylobacter fetus during investigation of a case of prosthetic valve endocarditis

AimsCampylobacter fetus subsp fetus (CFF) can cause intestinal illness, particularly in immunocompromised humans, with the potential to cause severe systemic infections. CFF is a zoonotic pathogen with a broad host...

Celebrating 40 years of In Practice

With the publication of this issue, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of In Practice. This represents over 300 issues of the journal and nearly 3000 articles. In Practice was started...

Risk factors associated with seropositivity to Toxoplasma among sheep and goats in Northern Iraq.

Serum samples from 423 small ruminants (335 sheep and 97 goats) from 72 farms in 6 districts in the province of Dohuk, north Iraq, were tested for the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using a latex agglutination test (Latex) and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). When the test results were interpreted in parallel, 42.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.7, 47.7) of sheep and 36.1% (95% CI: 26.6, 46.5) of goats were found to have antibodies against Toxoplasma. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed to determine the risk factors for Toxoplasma seropositivity in small ruminant flocks. Factors which increased the risk of infection included the presence of cats near the feed of animals (Odds ratio (OR) = 6.3; 95% CI 1.6, 24.6) and a history of abortions in sheep in the preceding 12 months (OR = 13.4; 95% CI 2.1; 86.7). For every ten goats aborting in the preceding 12 months the odds of seropositivity increased significantly (OR = 6.7; 95% CI 1.3; 32.9). Results of the regression model indicate that for every 1000 Iraqi Dinars (~0.85 USD) spent by the farmers on prophylactic treatment in their flocks the odds of Toxoplasma seropositivity decreased significantly (OR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.90, 0.98). This study contributes to the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in small ruminants in northern Iraq.

Genotyping of Coxiella burnetii in sheep and goat abortion samples

BackgroundQ fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a zoonosis that presents a worldwide distribution and affects both humans and animals. The route of dispersal of the pathogen by ruminants into the environment usually involves stages of abortion and parturition, nevertheless the agent can, also, be detected in other animal samples. Therefore it is considered as important in terms of proper diagnosis, as well as, for epidemiology and surveillance purposes, to genotype the pathogen. The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence of different genotypes of the agent in animals that had suffered from abortion during a two-year survey in Greece.ResultsSixty nine tissue samples (37 stomach contents, 11 liver samples, 21 cotyledons) were collected from 59 abortion cases in sheep (N = 45) and goats (N = 14) from 65 farms at eight different areas of Greece. Samples were screened by qPCR and positive ones were further genotyped using a 10-locus multiple loci (ms 1, 3, 7, 12, 20, 21, 22, 26, 30 and 36) variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) method.Three genotypes were identified in sheep (A, B, C). Samples representing each of the obtained MLVA profile were further used for MST genotyping. Ten spacers (Cox 2, 5, 6, 18, 20, 22, 37, 51, 56 and 57) were amplified. A close relatedness among the identified MLVA genotypes was confirmed since they all belonged to MST group 32.ConclusionsThe current study introduces into the aspect of genotyping of C. burnetii in Greece. Further studies are needed to explore the presence of more genotypes, to associate the genotypes circulating in the animal and tick population with those causing human disease in order to further expand on the epidemiological aspects of the pathogen.

SEROLOGICAL STUDY FOR DETECTION OF NEW EMERGING ECTOPARASITES BORNE DISEASE (SCHMALLENBERGE VIRUSE) IN DUHOK PROVINCE - IRAQ

Schmallenberg disease, an ectoparasite borne disease, is one of the most important emerging disease that discovered recently and was first reported in Germany in 2011. The disease affects animal industries through causing many clinical signs ranging from reduce milk production, weight loss to abortion and death of newborn animal. To our knowledge this is considered the first preliminary study on the presence of circulating Schmallenberg virus in Iraqi Kurdistan. In this research, only ELISA was used for detection of antibodies and antigens of the virus. Serological study showed that out of 192 animals, 16.1% were tested positive. There was not significantly different between geographical places (p 0.05). However, this study showed that the incidence of abortion in sheep due to Schmallenberge virus was significantly different between geographical places (p 0.05). The overall incidence of abortion in this study was nearly about 47%. The highest incidence was observed in shexan with at 90%.

Seroprevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep from the rapidly expanding flock of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Neosporosis is primarily a disease of cattle and dogs, but Neospora caninum has been linked to abortion and neonatal mortality in sheep. Since the economic, clinical and epidemiological importance of the infection in sheep remains uncertain, this work investigated the seroprevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies and associated factors in the rapidly expanding flock of Rio de Janeiro state. Blood samples from 388 sheep of 12 farms were collected and sera tested by a commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Seroprevalence at the animal-level was of 6.2% (24/388) and, at the herd-level, 50% (6/12) of the studied farms had at least one seropositive animal. Multivariate analysis detected that occasional veterinary assistance (P < 0.05) was significantly associated to higher seroprevalence, which is also associated to age (P < 0.001) and gender (P < 0.0001). Farmers' investments should focus on making technical assistance more frequent and future studies should assess the association of veterinary assistance with anti-N. caninum antibodies in sheep flocks.

Prevalence of seropositive toxoplasma cases in association with the frequency of abortion in sheep and goat

Toxoplasmosis are a serious public-health problem inhuman and animals especially in developing countries, it appear approximately thirty percent from all cases and have higher level of morbidity .At every stage of life the Toxoplasma gondii infections are a significant cause .The epidemiology and handling of this condition are various in the developing world, where infectious agents became predominate .This study was proceed during the period from March 2017 to August 2017 to detect Toxoplasma gondii in sheep and goat serum by characterize them using two assays Latex agglutination test and IgG and IgM Toxoplasmosis ELISA kits.A total of 74 sera samples were collected from sheep and goat from different ages ranged 6 month to 2.5 years old were achieved in different reign in AL- Najaf city / Iraq ,they suffered from endemic abortion and still birth. The overall prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in were32(62%),18(75%) by Latex agglutination test for sheep and goat, respectively, with non-significant variation (P&gt;0.05) between the two them ,The serum are arranged as follows in a total of 23 (71.8%) and 9 (28.2%)abortion and still birth of sheep ,respectively, and17(94.4%) 1(5.6%) aborted and still birth of goat ,respectively, with significant differences (P≤0.05) between the two them. Out of 32 serum positive of Toxoplasmosis in sheep by using Latex agglutination test, there were 23(71,9%) and 11(43,4%) positive serum by using IgG and IgM ELISA kits, respectively, On the other hand out of 18 toxoplasmosis parasite in goat have positive result in Latex agglutination test, there were 11(61,1%) and 6(33,3%) by using IgG and IgM ELISA kits, respectively, our study was accelerated due to endemic clinical abortion and instill birth for sheep and goat and narrowing functional range of molecular assays by time consumption, in this regard the aim of our study used two functional assay diagnosis Latex agglutination assay and ELISA techniques with increase the accuracy for the detection of the Toxoplasmosis in sheep and goat.

Short communication: Broadening the diagnosis panel of reproductive pathogens associated with abortion in ruminants

Diagnosis of abortion in cattle, sheep and goat have been mainly focused on abortive pathogens with a recognized impact in outbreaks, but the aetiologic diagnosis rates have been historically low worldwide. Thus, we analysed the presence of pathogens in abortion outbreaks, focusing on the less-common pathogens in cattle farms with control programmes for reproductive pathogens, and in ovine and caprine farms. Thirty-one cases from Galician farms submitted to our laboratory during 2013-2015 were analysed (16 bovine, 7 ovine and 8 caprine farms) by polymerase chain reaction and culture from foetal tissues (n = 52 foetuses). Diagnosis was reached in 21/31 farms: 9/16 in bovine, 6/7 in ovine and 6/8 in caprine. Campylobacter spp. were found in all three species (3/9 diagnosed cases in bovine, 2/6 in ovine and 4/6 in caprine). Furthermore, Ureaplasma diversum was detected in cattle (4/9 of diagnosed cases), Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus – 2 was detected in sheep (2/6) and Neospora caninum in goats (1/6). Our results prove the occurrence of abortion in response to pathogens that are traditionally considered less relevant and rarely included in the diagnosis of ruminant abortion. Therefore, differential diagnosis of abortion should consider these pathogens (at least when other causes have been ruled out), to effectively control abortion in farms.

English

English

Chlamydial abortion of ewes and goats. I. Current aspects on etiology, pathogenesis, immune mechanisms and epizootiology of disease

Chlamydial abortion constitutes one of the major causes of infectious abortion in sheep and goats. The disease leads to considerable losses in most sheep and goat-rearing countries, as well as, in Greece. In this paper, a review of the causative agent, pathogenesis, host immune response and epizootiology is presented. After recent changes, that have occured in the taxonomy of chlamydiae, it is necessary to refer to new families, new genera and new species within the order Chlamydiales, with emphasis on new species of Chlamydophila abortus, the causal agent of chlamydial abortion. This study reviews the recent experimental data which indicate the sites of entry of the organism, the way of its dissemination and establishment to the placenta. It also reviews current research on the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, the role of the IFN-γ in latent infection and this of Tcells in the protective immune response. Finally, particular reference is given on the role of the male in the disease transmission and the role of inter-species contamination in chlamydial abortion.

Epizootiological. Study of sheep and goat abortion by Salmonella abortus ovis in Greece

The epizootiological data concerning sheep and goat abortion cases were studied between 1980-1989. The abortion cases were investigated by cultural or serological exaninations. From the affected flocks, where abortions took place, 1.69% to 19.35% were considered as infected by Salmonella abortus ovis SAO after isolation of the organism. The serological examinations of flocks with abortions, revealed a positivity to SAO of 2.7% to 47%. The infected sheep flocks, that were ascertained by isolation of SAO prevailed against the corrensponding goat herds with an average of 11.25% to 6% respectively.