PREVALENCE OF CHLAMYDOPHILA ABORTION AMONGST LOCAL SMALL RUMINANTS IN NINAVAH PROVINCE –IRAQ

Rhaymah Majid 1 , AL-Hankawi Omer 2 , Hussain Khder 2 and AL-Farwachi Maab 2 . 1. Misan University, College of medicine Department of microbiology. 2. Mosul University, College of veterinary medicine, Department of internal and preventive medicine, Mosul , Iraq. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History

The aim of study to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydophila abortus (C. abortus ) in small ruminants in Ninavah province , Iraq from September 2012 to September 2013 using C. abortus indirect multispecies ELISA. The study was conducted on 736 sera divided equally between both species (sheep and goats) 368 for each ( 150 sera from aborted animals , 150 sera from pregnant animals and 68 from newborn animals) .The results were revealed that total prevalence of anti-C. abortus antibodies in both species was 4.34% .The prevalence of antibodies were significantly higher in sheep( adults 8.33% and lambs 2.94%) than that of goats ( adults 1.33% and kids 1.47%).Asignficantly higher prevalence rate were recorded in aborted ewes (10%) and does (2%) than pregnant ewes( 6.66%) and does( 0.66%) . This is the first report on chlamydophilial antibody survey in goats in Ninavah province, northen of Iraq.

ISSN: 2320-5407
Int. J. Adv. Res. 6(4), 1028-1032 1029 Materials and methods:-Blood samples:-A736 blood samples ( 368 sheep and 368 goats) were collected randomly from ten flocks of local breed animals with history of abortion around Ninavah province in the September 2012 to September 2013.Samples were collected aseptically from jugular vein using vaccutainer tubes from 300 aborted ewes and does ( N=150 samples for each species ) mostly after 10 -14 days post abortion , 300 pregnant ewes and does at late stage of pregnancy ( N=150 samples for each species ) and from 136 lambs and kids aged 7-21 days old ( N=68 samples for each species ).Sera were separated and stored at -20 0 C until use.
Serological examination:-Serological examination were done using indirect multi species ELISA ID screen TM C. abortus kit ( ID-Vet innovative Diagnostics, montpeilier, France).According to manufacturer , s instruction.The % of optical density (OD) was calculated as %OD= Sample OD \ Oppc X 100 Oppc = Mean of positive control . Sera were considered to be positive when OD ≥ 60.
Statistical analysis of chlamydiophila abortion prevalence in small ruminants of different ages ,with abortion and pregnancies were performed by Chi-squared test, using soft of SPSS ( statistical analsis system , version 11.5 , Chicago , IIIionis).The differences wereconsidered statistically significant if P< 0.05.

Discussion:-
Chlamydophila abortion (Enzootic ovine and caprine abortion) is one infectious disease characterized by weak neonates and abortion during the last third of gestation (1,2,20,21,22).In present study 4.34% of examined animals ( sheep and goats) were found positive to indirect multi species ELISA ID screen TM C. abortus kit.These test have been suggested to be highly sensitive and specific for detection of anti C. abortus antibodies in small ruminants (5,8,22,23,24,25).The kit uses a synthetic peptide antigen from a major outer membrane protein (MOMP) specific to C. abortus and allows discrimination of infections by C. pecorum (26,27,28). This is the first record of anti-C. abortus antibodies in goats in Ninavah province , Iraq. The only other reference to this infection in sheep in Iraq is a recent report by (18)  In our study , the prevalence of antibodies was significantly higher in sheep (7.33 % )than goats (1.35%). The above result was supported by higher seropositive rate of lambs(2.94%) than kids(1.47%). Similarly higher prevalence in sheep versus goats was recorded by others (29,30,31). However, this is not necessarily an indication of higher susceptibility of sheep to Chlamydophilosis as compared to goats, some studies reported no difference in prevalence of C. abortus between these two species (13,15) while still others reported even higher prevalence in goats than in sheep (14,32,33).
In current study, the seroprevalence of chlamydophilosis in aborted ewes 10% and does 2% were significantly higher than that in pregnant ewes 6.66% and does 0.66 %. The higher rate of seropositivily in our study is in agreement with (12 ,14, 34).
Abortion storm may occur due to chlamydophilosis which can affect up to around 30% of ewes (1). Its known that susceptibility increases with pregnancy as the stage of gestation increases (1,2).
In non-pregnant animals, the antibody level usually drops rapidly off but there are also studies that report a systemic antibody response even when a period of several years has elapsed from the infection and abortion (35). The significant highest prevalence was found in adult animals than in newborn animals.Vertical transmission can have occurred from carrier dam to their neonates in two methods either during passage through the birth canal or by congenitally in utero ( 36) It could be concluded from this study that chlamydophila abortion is highly endemic in small ruminants in Ninavah province , Iraq.