Seroprevalence studies on animal chlamydiosis amongst ruminants in five states of India

Abstract

Background and Aim:Animal chlamydiosis, caused by different chlamydial species, is characterized by clinical or subclinical disease manifestations in cattle, buffalo, ovine, caprine and wild animal species. Animal chlamydiosis often remains underdiagnosed or undiagnosed, and its status in many parts of India is still unknown. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of animal chlamydiosis amongst ruminant livestock species of five states of India.Materials and Methods:Totally, 2127 randomly selected serum samples collected from ruminant livestock species viz. cattle (n=430), buffaloes (n=429), sheep (906) and goats (n=362), were tested by agar gel precipitation test for chlamydiosis between 2002 and 2011. Precipitating antigen was prepared from locally isolated strain of Chlamydia psittaci after treatment with sodium deoxycholate.Results:The chlamydial seroprevalence detected amongst ruminants in five states of India was: Himachal Pradesh: Cattle-10.90%, sheep-10.60% and goats- 22.46%; Punjab: Cattle-1.45%; Andhra Pradesh: Cattle-2.80%, buffaloes-0.93%, sheep-8.90% and goats-9.46%; Maharashtra: goats-8.33%; Jammu and Kashmir: sheep-12.50%. The mean seroprevalence values of each animal species are: Cattle-4.65%, buffaloes-0.93%, sheep-9.82% and goats-19.33%.Conclusion:The results indicate the endemic nature of animal chlamydiosis across five states in India. Hence, it requires further extensive studies in other parts of India also using chlamydial species-specific diagnostics to ascertain overall countrywide prevalence of the disease. The zoonotic nature of the chlamydiae of ruminant origin further adds significance to such prevalence studies.

First Report of Chlamydia Seroprevalence and Risk Factors in Domestic Black-Boned Sheep and Goats in China

“…Chlamydia seroprevalence has been reported in sheep and goats worldwide. For example, 10.60% seroprevalence has been reported in sheep in India (21), and 33% seroprevalence has been reported in Spain (22). The different seroprevalences in different counties in our study is probably attributed to the differences in sanitation, husbandry practices, and animal welfare.…”

Seroprevalence of Chlamydia abortus Among Cattle of Selected Areas in Terai Belt of Nepal

“…2.17% (total sample=92) in Nawalpur and Chitwan District. Seroprevalence of Chlamydia abortus in ruminants varies widely from one country to another, 0.82% in Iraq (Majed et al, 2018), 4.75% in Ireland (Wilson et al, 2012) and 4.65% in five states of India (Chahota et al, 2015).…”

“…C. abortus is endemic in ruminants throughout the world (Li et al, 2015) and it causes epizootic bovine abortion in cattle (Gokce et al, 2007). This bacterium causes abortion, infertility, weak calves, fetal loss, and mastitis in cattle and also in sheep and goat (Chahota et al, 2015). Animals can become infected at any time of the year, especially via the ingestion of elemental bodies from an aborted fetus, placentas, and uterine discharge from infected individuals that contaminate drinking water or food (Longbottom and Coulter, 2003).…”

A comprehensive review on avian chlamydiosis: a neglected zoonotic disease

“…Bhardwaj et al ( 2017 ) conducted a study, and they reported that only a few strains of C. psittaci are circulating in the region of Himachal Pradesh and apart from the respiratory problems, C. psittaci causes reproductive issues also in the livestock population. Sero assays conducted by antigens developed from the local strain of C. psittaci concluded that chlamydial infections are endemic amongst ruminants in five states (Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir) of India, which may represent one of the causes of pneumonia, abortion, arthritis, enteritis, and other clinical outcomes (Chahota et al 2015 ). Interestingly, C. psittaci has been isolated from the cervidae family in tissues and faeces samples in the North-Western Himalayan region (Rattan et al 2005 ).…”