doiSerbia

Infectious abortion in sheep

Vidić B. (Scientific Veterinary Institute, Novi Sad)
Savić-Jevđenić S. (Scientific Veterinary Institute, Novi Sad)
Grgić Ž. (Scientific Veterinary Institute, Novi Sad)
Bugarski D. (Scientific Veterinary Institute, Novi Sad)
Maljković M. (Scientific Veterinary Institute, Novi Sad)

The abortions in sheep are important at various aspects, i.e. economical, animal healthcare or zoonotic. Abortions in sheep may occur sporadically or as enzootic outbreaks. The causative agent of the abortion is investigated if more than 2% of abortions in pregnant animals are registered within the herd. The amount of suspect material to be delivered for examination ranges from 12% to 21% of all registered abortions. Our research was carried out at the territory of AP of Vojvodina. Over a three-year-period we investigated 367 serum samples obtained from sheep that have aborted. Serum samples were examined for brucellosis, leptospirosis, listeriosis, toxoplasmosis, enzootic abortion (chlamydiosis), Qfever, salmonellosis. All examined sera were negative to brucellosis. Leptospirosis was diagnosed in 3.2% cases. Specific antibodies were detected for L.hardjo and L. grippotyphosa . Serotype L.hardjo was first identified in cattle at the territory of Vojvodina, and in the recent years it has been also registered in sheep. T.gondii was detected in 7.1% abortions in sheep. Presence of specific antibodies against C.burnetii was established in 19.6% of investigated serum samples. Vojvodina is considered endemic region for Q-fever, and sheep are the primary reservoir of C.burnetii that was confirmed in this research.

Keywords: abortions, sheep, infectious diseases