Chlamydiosis in cattle and in man: an epidemiologic and serologic study

In the Pardubice area, the systematic examinations for Chlamydia-specific antibodies in cattle were started in 1967. In the years 1967-1978 the detectable levels of antibody to Chlamydia were demonstrated in 16.1% of 38,394 sera from cattle and in 18.6% of 5,244 sera from slinking cows. In the year 1979 the percentage of seropositivity in cattle increased significantly to 23.5% of the 4,197 sera examined. Examinations in 1980 revealed that 23.1% of 4,042 sera from cattle, 34.4% of 319 sera from slinking cows and 17.9% of 209 sera from calves were found antibody positive. Over the period from 1974 to 1978 isolates of Chlamydia organisms were obtained from 11.7% of 452 bovine slinks and from 10% of 271 dead or prematurely slaughtered calves. In the years 1979-1981 a total of 775 individuals were subjected to medical and serological examinations for Chlamydia infection using the BIOVETA group antigen. The first group of examinees included 307 farm personnel, attendants to healthy breeds of cattle. Detectable levels of antibody to Chlamydia were recorded in 1.3% of clinically healthy individuals and in 12% of the 75 healthy, randomly selected cows taken care of by this group of personnel. The second group included 280 individuals who were in charge of slinking cows or calves with chlamydial pneumonia, or who were employed in a rendering plant. A total of 7.5% of antibody-positive individuals was found in this group of examinees. Of the 439 calves attended 17.9% had serologic evidence of infection and the 30 dead calves examined were isolate-positive: sera from 176 slinking cows showed positivity in 23.8% of cases. In the third group of 188 persons serving as controls 5.3% had serologic evidence of chlamydial infection. The statistical analysis of deviations from the Gaussian variance normal curve showed neither sex-related nor inter-group differences. At the time of serologic examinations of humans the epidemiologic situation in the given area was extremely favorable. The importance of a close cooperation between the public health and veterinary service personnel (notification of abortions in cattle) and the need of a due attention of gynecologists, dermatologists and urologists are emphasized.