Salmonella sheep abortion: Distribution, diagnosis, and control measures

The purpose of the study is to identify and isolate the causative agent of Salmonella sheep abortion in the sheep breeding industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study aims to provide a basis for the development and testing of vaccines against salmonella sheep abortion using the isolated epizootic strains of Salmonella abortus-ovis AN 9/2 and Salmonella abortus-ovis 372 as control strains for immunogenicity testing. Biomaterials and pathologic materials were investigated of 114 abortions, dead ewes, and newborn lambs using the bacteriological method with the diagnostic purpose from 2009 to 2019. As a result of the bacteriological studies, the causative agent of salmonella sheep abortion was isolated and identified - Salmonella abortus-ovis. The study concludes that salmonella sheep abortion is a significant infectious disease that can cause massive economic losses and high mortality rates in sheep breeding. Prevention and control measures, such as regular cleaning, disinfection of premises, clinical examination, and thermometry of lambs, bacteriological studies, and vaccination against salmonella sheep abortion, are essential in reducing the incidence of the disease and increasing animal productivity.