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Abortion in small ruminants in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2011
R van den Brom1, K Lievaart-Peterson, S Luttikholt
1Department of Small Ruminant Health, Animal Health Service, Deventer, the Netherlands. r.vd.brom@gddeventer.com
Tijdschrift Voor Diergeneeskunde
|August 21, 2012
Summary
Infectious agents caused nearly half of ovine and a third of caprine abortions. Many identified pathogens, including Chlamydia abortus and Campylobacter, pose zoonotic risks, necessitating hygiene during lambing.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Microbiology
- Animal Reproduction
Background:
- Abortion in sheep (ovine) and goats (caprine) poses significant economic and health challenges in livestock farming.
- Identifying infectious causes is crucial for disease control and prevention in animal populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and types of infectious agents causing ovine and caprine abortions.
- To assess the diagnostic yield of submitting both fetal and placental samples.
- To highlight the zoonotic potential of identified abortion-causing agents.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 453 abortion submissions (282 ovine, 171 caprine) over five lambing seasons (2006-2011).
- Laboratory investigation to identify infectious agents in fetal and placental tissues.
- Categorization of identified pathogens and assessment of placentitis.
Main Results:
- Infectious agents identified in 48% of ovine and 34% of caprine submissions.
- Common ovine pathogens: Chlamydia abortus, Campylobacter spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Listeria spp., Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.
- Common caprine pathogens: Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydia abortus, Listeria spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter spp.
- A causal agent remained unidentified in 42% of ovine and 56% of caprine cases.
- Placentitis noted in 12% of ovine and 10% of caprine cases without identified agents.
- Submitting both fetus and placenta improved diagnostic yield by 17% (ovine) and 21% (caprine).
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of ovine and caprine abortions are linked to infectious agents.
- Several identified pathogens, such as Chlamydia abortus and Campylobacter, have zoonotic potential.
- Pregnant women and individuals in close contact with livestock should practice stringent hygiene measures during lambing seasons.
