Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Chlamydia abortus Infection in Sheep and Goats in North-Western Italy. in Animals : an open access journal from MDPI / Animals (Basel). 2024 Jan 17;14(2):291. doi: 10.3390/ani14020291.

2024
ASL Torino 5

Tipo pubblicazione

Journal Article

Autori/Collaboratori (7)Vedi tutti...

Mandola ML
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, S.S. Diagnostica Virologica Specialistica, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.
Vitale N
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, S.S. Osservatorio delle Regioni, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.
Renna G
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, S.S. Diagnostica Virologica Specialistica, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.

et alii...

Abstract

Chlamydia abortus, although poorly recognized as a human pathogen, is a zoonotic microorganism that can cause many different symptoms in humans, including subclinical infection and fatal illnesses in pregnant women. C. abortus is one of the most common causes of ovine and caprine infectious abortion worldwide, known as the causative agent of the enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE) or ovine enzootic abortion (OEA). To estimate C. abortus seroprevalence and the risk factors related to C. abortus in small ruminants, the sera from 3045 animals (both sheep and goat) belonging to 202 herds were tested and a questionnaire investigating flock management was administered. At the herd level, the true seroprevalence was 56.6% (CI(95%): 46.9-66.3%), at sheep-farm and goat-farm level, the true seroprevalence was 71.4% (CI(95%): 54.6-88.3%) and 44.8% (CI(95%): 41.3-57.0%), respectively. The true seroprevalence was significantly higher among the sheep than the goats. The logistic regression model identified four factors associated with Chlamydia seropositivity: flock size (i.e., farms with >50 heads), contact with cattle, introduction of animals, and Coxiella seropositivity. The study evidenced a high seroprevalence of Chlamydia abortus in small ruminant farms in the Piedmont region. Considering its zoonotic potential and the health consequences in humans, communication to farmers on the importance of vaccination, as well as the sensibilization of farm vets, seem to be strategical.

Accesso banca dati bibliografica

PMID : 38254460

DOI : 10.3390/ani14020291

Keywords

risk factors; OEA; Chlamydia abortus; seroprevalence; small ruminant;