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Epizootic bovine abortion in a dairy herd: characterization of a Chlamydia psittaci isolate and antibody response
P C Griffiths1, J M Plater, T C Martin
1Virology Department, Central Veterinary Laboratory, Addlestone, Surrey, UK.
Insights
A chlamydial agent, identified as a serotype I Chlamydia psittaci strain, was isolated from an aborting cow. This finding suggests potential transmission from sheep to cattle, impacting dairy herd health.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Bovine Pathology
Background:
- Chlamydial infections pose a significant threat to livestock reproduction.
- Understanding the epidemiology and strain identification of Chlamydia in dairy herds is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a chlamydial agent isolated from a case of bovine abortion.
- To determine the serotype and genetic relatedness of the chlamydial isolate.
- To investigate the potential for interspecies transmission of Chlamydia in a mixed-species farm environment.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culture of chlamydial agent from bovine placental cotyledons.
- Immunoblotting analysis of purified elementary bodies for antigenic characterization.
- Nucleotide sequencing of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene for strain identification.
- Serological analysis of sequential sera from the affected cow.
Main Results:
- A chlamydial agent, designated BA1, was successfully recovered from an aborting cow.
- Immunoblotting and MOMP gene sequencing confirmed BA1 as a serotype I Chlamydia psittaci strain, identical to the ovine enzootic abortion type strain.
- BA1 was antigenically and genetically distinct from serotype II Chlamydia pecorum strains.
- Serological analysis showed reactivity to chlamydial antigens over a 110-day period in the affected cow.
Conclusions:
- The isolated chlamydial agent belongs to serotype I Chlamydia psittaci, closely related to strains causing ovine enzootic abortion.
- The findings suggest a potential transmission of Chlamydia from sheep to cattle within the studied dairy herd.
- This highlights the importance of considering interspecies transmission in the diagnosis and management of chlamydial reproductive diseases in cattle.
Abstract:
A chlamydial agent was recovered from the placental cotyledons of an aborting cow from a 100-cow dairy herd in Cumbria. Immunoblotting analysis of purified elementary bodies of the isolate revealed a reactivity pattern typical of serotype I Chlamydia psittaci strains. Nucleotide sequencing of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene further confirmed the isolate, BA1, as a serotype I strain. The sequence was identical to that of the type strain of ovine enzootic abortion, B577. In both the antigenic and MOMP sequencing analyses BA1 was distinguishable from serotype II C. pecorum strains. A sequential series of sera obtained from the aborting cow, from which BA1 was recovered, was analysed by immunoblotting against the homologous isolate, and demonstrated reactivity to major chlamydial antigens over a 110-day period. Close contact between ruminant species on the farm suggested that the C. psittaci strain may have been transmitted to cattle from infected sheep.
