article · Pathogens
Chlamydia abortus is a bacterial pathogen that causes enzootic abortion in small ruminants. A cross-sectional investigation in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia evaluated the extent of infection and associated management risks across 21 sheep flocks and 14 goat flocks. Serum testing showed a flock-level seroprevalence of 100 percent for both species, while individual animal seroprevalences were 11.1 percent for sheep and 10.6 percent for goats. Molecular testing confirmed the bacterial pmp gene in the vast majority of aborted tissue and swab samples. Statistical analysis revealed that introducing new stock was a primary risk factor for seropositivity across both species. In sheep, breeding systems, animal movement, and age were also linked to infection, whereas good farm hygiene significantly lowered infection odds in goats. These findings establish clear operational targets for controlling reproductive disease in regional herds.
Enzootic abortion caused by Chlamydia abortus causes substantial reproductive losses in livestock production. By showing that exposure is widespread across regional herds, this work highlights a serious animal health concern. Identifying actionable risk factors, such as uncontrolled animal movement and poor farm sanitation, equips farmers and veterinary authorities with the evidence needed to design targeted disease management and biosecurity protocols.
The research provides applied epidemiological data that directly informs farm-level biosecurity guidelines, diagnostic screening routines, and veterinary extension services. The primary beneficiaries are livestock producers and animal health authorities seeking to minimise reproductive losses. As an observational field study, the work does not offer a proprietary technology or product, but it provides ready-to-use operational guidance that is immediately applicable to herd management.
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<i>Chlamydia abortus</i> (<i>C. abortus</i>) is intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium that cause enzootic abortion in sheep and goats. Information on <i>C. abortus</i> seroprevalence and flock management risk factors associated with <i>C. abortus</i> seropositivity in sheep and goats in Saudi Arabia are scarce. The objectives of this study were to (i) estimate the animal, flock, and within-flock seroprevalence of <i>C. abortus</i> among Eastern Province sheep and goat flocks and (ii) identify the flock management and animal risk factors associated with <i>C. abortus</i> seropositivity in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study with a two-stage sampling process was carried out in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, between 2015 and 2016. A total of 1717 sheep and 1101 goat serum samples were collected from 21 sheep and 14 goat flocks, then were tested for <i>C. abortus</i> antibodies using a commercial ELISA Kit. In addition, vaginal swabs and aborted tissue samples were collected from sheep (n = 48) and goats (n = 15) with recent history of abortion for detection of <i>C. abortus</i><i>pmp</i> gene using PCR. A questionnaire was constructed to collect information about flock management and animal risk factors possibly associated with <i>C. abortus</i> infection in sheep and goats. The true sheep and goat-level seroprevalences were 11.1% (95% CI: 9.7-12.7) and 10.6% (95% CI: 8.8-12.5), respectively. The true flock-level seroprevalence was 100% for both sheep and goats. However, the average within sheep and goat flocks true seroprevalences were 9.6% (95% CI: 1.8-22.9) and 9.3% (95% CI: 1.8-19.5), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that introduction of new sheep to the flocks (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.5-4.4), type of breeding system (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.0-3.4), flocks allowing females in (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3) or females out (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.3), and sheep age 1.4-2.8 years (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3-2.9) were potential risk factors for <i>C. abortus</i> seropositivity in sheep flocks. However, in goat flocks, the introduction of new goats to the flocks (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2-3.0) was identified as a risk factor, whereas good farm hygiene (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.2-0.7) was identified as a protective factor. <i>C. abortus pmp</i> gene was identified in 45 (93.8%) and 15 (100%) of samples collected from sheep and goats, respectively. These results could be used to implement efficient management measures to prevent and control <i>C. abortus</i> infection in sheep and goats in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, but also could be used to reduce the risk of <i>C. abortus</i> infection in sheep and goat flocks with similar management practices in other regions.
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DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040489
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