Prevalence and Identification of Infectious Abortion Pathogens in Sheep Flocks of North Khorasan, Iran

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran

2 Department of Immunopathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research branch, Tehran, Iran.

3 2Laboratory of North Khorasan Veterinary Head Office, Bojnurd, Iran

4 Laboratory of North Khorasan Veterinary Head Office, Bojnurd, Iran

10.32592/ARI.2025.80.2.531

Abstract

Abortion is one of the main causes of reproduction losses in small ruminant’s flocks in the world. Infection with the agents including Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter spp., Chlamydia abortus, and Coxiella burnetii frequently occurs worldwide. Brucella melitensis is the most important cause of abortion in Iran and its neighbors. Other abortifacient agents such as C. abortus and C. burnetii are prevalent among sheep flocks as well. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of the most common abortifacient pathogens in sheep in North Khorasan, Iran. The samples were collected from 133 aborted sheep fetuses. Then, using ELISA, conventional PCR and bacteriological examination the presence of pathogens including Escherichia coli, B. melitensis, Salmonella spp., C. burnetii, Campylobacter spp., Leptospira spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Toxoplasma gondii, Border disease virus and Blue Tongue virus were assessed. Using bacteriological culture, E. coli (9%) and B. melitensis (12%) were isolated. C. burnetii (2.5%), Toxoplasma gondii (12%), Border disease virus (3%) and Blue Tongue virus (9%) were identified in fetal serology. B. melitensis (12%), Salmonella (8.5%), Campylobacter spp. (1.7%), Leptospira spp. (2.5%), Chlamydia abortus (25.6%) C. burnetii (14.5%), and T. gondii (6.8%) were detected by PCR. C. abortus was the most frequent pathogen detected by PCR (25.6%). The present results showed the studied sheep flocks are infected with the most important abortifacient pathogens which emphasize the demand for more investigations for the detection of abortion causes based on the different geographical regions using simple and sensitive methods. Epidemiological and risk factors contribute in ovine abortion is further necessary.

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Main Subjects

References

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Archives of Razi Institute
Volume 80, Issue 2
March and April 2025
Pages 531-535

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