An investigation on the potential role of Q fever and chlamydiosis of ovine abortion

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 35 - 41, 30.04.2025

Aliye Gülmez Sağlam , Elif Çelik , Gökhan Koçak , Seda Gökdemir , Muazzez Yeşilyurt Semra Kaya

https://doi.org/10.31797/vetbio.1581736

Abstract

Chlamydia abortus and Coxiella burnetii are among the significant pathogens that result in economic losses in small ruminants, particularly sheep, on a global scale. Both agents have been linked with disorders of the reproductive system in animals and are among the primary causes of abortion cases. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Q fever and ovine enzootic abortion (OEA) in aborted sheep during lambing seasons. Samples of blood and vaginal swabs were obtained from sheep flocks in the Iğdır province. In total, both blood samples and vaginal samples from 100 aborted sheep were analyzed for C. abortus and C. burnetii. Both agents were investigated by ELISA in serum and by direct PCR in vaginal swabs. The results of the study indicate that 44% of the sheep sera exhibited positive antibody reactivity to C. burnetii. Five out of 100 sera samples from sheep tested were positive for ovine enzootic abortion. In addition, three samples were serologically positive for both agents. Molecular analyses of vaginal swabs were negative for both agents. The results of this study confirm the existence of exposure of sheep flocks in the Iğdır province to both agents. The detection of Q fever and OEA in abortive sheep indicates that these pathogens carry a risk of infection in humans due to their zoonotic properties

Keywords

Aborted sheep , chlamydiosis , Q fever , seroprevalence

References

• Abnaroodheleh, F., Emadi, A., & Dadar, M. (2021). Seroprevalence of brucellosis and chlamydiosis in sheep and goats with history of abortion in Iran. Small Ruminant Research, 202, 106459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106459
• Agerholm, J. S. (2013). Coxiella burnetii associated reproductive disorders in domestic animals. a critical review. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 55(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-55-13
• Ali, H. H. M., & Al-Bayati L. H. (2022). Serological and histopathological investigation of Chlamydia abortus in aborted ewes in Wasit, Iraq. Archives of Razi Institute, 77(3), 1105-1111. https://doi.org/10.22092/ARI.2022.357270.2009
• Alkahachi, S. A., Salman S. S., & Mahmood, A. K. (2020). Serosurvey of brucello, coxiellosis and chlamydiosis in sheep from Baghdad City. Plant Archives, 20(1), 1664-1668.
• Berri, M., Laroucau, K., & Rodolakis, A. (2000). The detection of Coxiella burnetii from ovine genital swabs, milk and fecal samples by the use of a single touchdown polymerase chain reaction. Veterinary microbiology, 72(3-4), 285–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-1135(99)00178-9
• Borel, N., Polkinghorne, A., & Pospischil, A. (2018). A review on chlamydial diseases in animals: still a challenge for pathologists?. Veterinary Pathology, 55(3), 374-390. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985817751218
• Büyük F, Özgen EK, Karakurt E, Coşkun MR, Büyük E, Özmen M, Dağ S, Çelik E, Gülmez Sağlam A, Karadeniz Pütür E, Ulucan M, Nuhoğlu H, Şahin M (2020). Accomplished management of Chlamydophila abortus-induced enzootic sheep abortions: The case of Şavşat (Turkey). Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, 26(6), 777-785. https://doi.org/10.9775/kvfd.2020.24380
• Çaya, H., Aslantaş, Ö., İyisan, A. S., Mirioğlu, M., & Tunca, T. (2006). Chlamydophıla abortus’a (Chlamydıa Psıttacı Serotype 1) karşı oluşan antikorların mikrokomplement fikzasyon (mCFT) ve enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) ile araştırılması. Etlik Veteriner Mikrobiyoloji Dergisi, 17(1-2), 7-12.
• Ertaş, F., Sona Karakuş, A., & Ayan, A. (2022). The prevalence of commonly encountered parasites in sheep in Iğdır province, Turkey. Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 10(2), 260–262. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v10i2.260-262.4662
• Esmaeili, H., Bolourchi, M., & Mokhber-Dezfouli, M. R. (2015). Seroprevalence of Chlamydia abortus infection in sheep and goats in Iran. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 9(2), 73-77. https://doi.org/10.22059/ijvm.2015.54004
• Gökçe, H. İ., Kaçar, C., Genç, O., & Sözmen M. (2007). Seroprevalance of Chlamydophila abortus in aborting ewes and dairy cattle in the northeast part of Turkey. Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Pulawy, 51(1), 9-13.
• Greco, G., Totaro, M., Madio, A., Tarsitano, E., Fasanella, A., Lucifora, G., & Buonavoglia, D. (2005). Detection of Chlamydophila abortus in sheep and goat flocks in southern Italy by PCR using four different primer sets. Veterinary Research Communications, 29(1),107-115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-005-0841-3
• Guatteo, R., Seegers, H., Taurel, A. F., Joly, A., & Beaudeau, F. (2011). Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection in domestic ruminants: a critical review. Veterinary Microbiology, 149 (1-2), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.10.007
• Gülaydın, O., Öztürk, C., Ekin, İ. H., İlhan, Z., & İlhan, F. (2023). Investigation of selected bacterial agents causing sheep abortion in the Van province by RT-PCR and histopathological methods. Acta Veterinaria Brno, 92(1), 69-77. https://doi.org/10.2754/avb202392010069
• Gülmez Sağlam, A., & Şahin, M. (2016). Coxiella burnetii in samples from cattle herds and sheep flocks in the Kars region of Turkey. Veterinární Medicína, 61(1), 17–22. https://doi.org/10.17221/8678-VETMED
• Hamedi, M., Esmaeili, H., Madani, S. A., & Tajik P. (2020). The frequency of abortion caused by Chlamydia abortus in aborted fetuses of sheep and goats in Iran. Journal of Medical Bacteriology, 9(1-2), 1-8.
• Hireche, S., Ababneh, M. M., Bouaziz, O., & Boussena, S. (2016). Seroprevalence and molecular characterization of Chlamydia abortus in frozen fetal and placental tissues of aborting ewes in Northeastern Algeria. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 48, 255–262. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0944-y
• Iraninezhad, Z., Azizzadeh. M., Taghavi Razavizadeh, A., Mehrzad, J., & Rashtibaf, M. (2020). Seroepidemiological feature of Chlamydia abortus in sheep and goat population located in Northeastern Iran. Veterinary Research Forum, 11(4), 423-426. https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2019.101946.2429
• Kaplan, M. F., Kaplan, E., Raza, A., Demirler, M., Baran, A., Cengiz, S., & Adiguzel, M. C. (2024). Evaluation of raw milk samples and vendor-derived Staphylococcus aureus and Coxiella burnetii prevalence in dairy delicatessens in eastern Turkey. Food Science & Nutrition, 12(8), 5942–5950. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4236
• Karaca, M., Akkan, H. A., Cetin, Y., Keles, I., Tutuncu, M., Özkan, C., Tasal, I. (2009). Studies on the determination of seroprevalance of Q fever in sheep in the region of Van. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 8(10), 1925-1928.
• Karagül, M. S., Malal, M. E., & Akar, K. (2019). Investigation of Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydia abortus antibodies in sheep in Düzce region. Düzce Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, 9(3), 106-109. https://doi.org/10.33631/duzcesbed.562838
• Kaya, M., & Öztürk, D. (2020). Seroprevalance of Chlamydophila abortus infections in goats in Burdur province. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Health Sciences Institute, 8(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.24998/maeusabed.688264
• Kilbas, I., Kahraman Kilbas, E.P., & Ciftci, I.H. (2023). Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in human and animal populations in Türkiye: Metaanalysis. Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 29 (6), 571-579. https://doi.org/10.9775/Kvfd.2023.29953
• Kiliç, A., & Hakan Kalender, H. (2016). A Study of the correlation between Coxiella burnetii seropositivity and abortions in sheep in eastern and southeastern Turkey. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 50 (3), 401-405. https://doi.org/10.18805/ijar.9364
• Küçükayan, U., Dakman, A., Ülker, U., & Müştak, K. (2007). Koyun kan serumları ve fetuslarının bakteriyel atık etkenleri yönünden incelenmesi. Etlik Veteriner Mikrobiyoloji Dergisi, 18(1-2), 11-16.
• Mcquiston, J. H., & Childs, J. E. (2002). Q fever in humans and animals in the United States. Vector Borne Zoonotic Disease, 2(3), 179-91. https://doi.org/10.1089/15303660260613747
• Nokhodian, Z., Feizi, A., Ataei, B., Hoseini, S. G., & Mostafavi, E. (2017). Epidemiology of Q fever in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis for estimating serological and molecular prevalence. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 22, 121. https://doi.org/10.4103/jrms.JRMS_586_17
• Otlu, S., Şahin, M., Ünver, A., & Çelebi, Ö. (2007). Detection of Brucella melitensis and Chlamydophila abortus antibodies in aborting sheep in the Kars province of Turkey. Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Pulawy, 51, 493-495.
• Öztürk, D., Türütoğlu, H., & Kaya, M. (2016). Burdur ilindeki koyunlarda Chlamydophila abortus enfeksiyonunun serprevalansı. Veterinary Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, 1(2), 17-20. https://doi.org/10.24880/maeuvfd.287347
• Öztürkler, Y. (2015). Short-term estrus synchronization in ewes and does. Türkiye Klinikleri Reproduction and Artificial Insemination - Special Topics, 1(2), 9-19.
• Radostits, O. M., Gay, C. C. Hinchcliff, K. W. & Constable, P. D. (2007). Veterinary Medicine. A textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats (10nd ed.). Elsevier Saunders.
• Ramo, M. D. L. A., Benito, A. A., Quílez, J., Monteagudo, L. V., Baselga, C., & Tejedor, M. T. (2022). Coxiella burnetii and co-infections with other major pathogens causing abortion in small ruminant flocks in The Iberian Peninsula. Animals, 12(24), 3454. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12243454
• Rodolakis, A., & Laroucau, K. (2015). Chlamydiaceae and Chlamydial infections in sheep or goats. Veterinary Microbiology, 181(1-2), 107-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.07.010
• Runge, M., Binder, A., & Schotte, U., Ganter M. (2012). Investigations concerning the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydia abortus in sheep in correlation with management systems and abortion rate in Lower Saxony in 2004. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 125(3-4), 138-143.
• Santos, S., Azenha, D., Oliveira, C., Almeida, A. (2022). Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydia spp. coinfection in small ruminant abortion in Portugal. Small Ruminant Research, 207, 106616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2022.106616
• Sebastiani, C., Curcio, L., Ciullo, M., Cruciani, D., Crotti, S., Pesca, C., Torricelli, M., Sebastianelli, M., Felici, A., & Biagetti, M. (2018). A multi-screening fast qPCR approach to the identification of abortive agents in ruminants. Journal of Microbiology Methods, 148, 12–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2018.03.009
• Serifoğlu Bagatir, P., Okumus, B., Ozgen, E. K., Ulucan, M., Yanmaz, B., & Aktas, O. (2021). Seroprevalence of Q Fever in small ruminants in The Northeast Anatolian Region in Turkey. Medycyna Weterynaryjna, 77 (7), 337-340. http://dx.doi.org/10.21521/mw.6522
• Sillis, M., & Longbottom, D. (2011). Zoonoses. S. R. Palmer, L. R. Soulsby, D. W. G. Brown, (Eds.), Chlamydiosis (pp. 146–157). Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.
• Türütoğlu, H., İyisan, A. S., Öztürk, M., & Gülyaz, V. (2000). Abortions related to Chlamydia psittaci and Salmonella Abortus Ovis in a sheep farm. Pendik Veteriner Mikrobiyoloji Dergisi, 31(2), 5-17.
• Villagra-Blanco, R., Dolz G., Montero-Caballero, D. & Romero-Zúñiga, J. J. (2015). Detection of antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus in costa rican sheep flocks. Open Veterinary Journal, 5(2), 122-126.
• Wolf, A., Prüfer, T. L., Schoneberg, C., Campe, A., Runge, M., Ganter, M., & Bauer, B. U. (2020). Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in German sheep flocks and evaluation of a novel approach to detect an infection via preputial swabs at herd-level. Epidemiology and Infection. 148, e75. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268820000679