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In vitro survival of the BS isolate of Chlamydia psittaci (ovis) in ruminal and abomasal contents
1Department of Animal Health, Royal Veterinary College, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire.
Abstract:
The ability of the pathogenic BS isolate of Chlamydia psittaci (ovis) to survive after inoculation into ruminal or abomasal contents, and chlamydial transport medium held at 39 degrees C, was assessed by taking hourly samples which were cultured in mitomycin-treated McCoy cells. The chlamydiae survived for nine hours in the ruminal contents, eight hours in the abomasal contents and for 12 hours in transport medium, when the experiment was concluded. There was a steady decrease in the numbers of the organism in the ruminal and abomasal contents as their pH decreased, but the numbers in the transport medium also decreased without a corresponding change in pH. It is therefore possible that ewes may become infected with C psittaci (ovis) orally via the gastrointestinal tract.
Insights
Chlamydia psittaci (ovis) survived in sheep gastrointestinal contents for up to nine hours. This suggests oral infection is possible in ewes, highlighting a potential transmission route for this ovine pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Ovine Pathology
Background:
- Chlamydia psittaci (ovis) is an important ovine pathogen.
- Understanding its survival in the gastrointestinal tract is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the survival of Chlamydia psittaci (ovis) in ruminal and abomasal contents.
- To determine the potential for oral infection via the gastrointestinal tract in ewes.
Main Methods:
- Inoculation of pathogenic Chlamydia psittaci (ovis) into ruminal and abomasal contents and transport medium.
- Incubation at 39°C with hourly sampling.
- Culturing of samples in mitomycin-treated McCoy cells to determine chlamydial viability.
Main Results:
- Chlamydiae survived for 9 hours in ruminal contents and 8 hours in abomasal contents.
- Survival time decreased with decreasing pH in both gastrointestinal contents.
- Chlamydiae survived for 12 hours in transport medium, with numbers decreasing without pH change.
Conclusions:
- The survival of Chlamydia psittaci (ovis) in ovine gastrointestinal contents supports the possibility of oral infection.
- The gastrointestinal tract may serve as a route for C. psittaci (ovis) transmission in ewes.
- Further research into oral transmission dynamics is warranted.