Prevalence and Identification of Infectious Abortion Pathogens in Sheep Flocks of North Khorasan, Iran

Abortion is one of the main causes of reproduction losses in small ruminant’s flocks in the world. Infection with the agents including Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter spp., Chlamydia abortus, and Coxiella burnetii frequently occurs worldwide. Brucella melitensis is the most important cause of abortion in Iran and its neighbors. Other abortifacient agents such as C. abortus and C. burnetii are prevalent among sheep flocks as well. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of the most common abortifacient pathogens in sheep in North Khorasan, Iran. The samples were collected from 133 aborted sheep fetuses. Then, using ELISA, conventional PCR and bacteriological examination the presence of pathogens including Escherichia coli, B. melitensis, Salmonella spp., C. burnetii, Campylobacter spp., Leptospira spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Toxoplasma gondii, Border disease virus and Blue Tongue virus were assessed. Using bacteriological culture, E. coli (9%) and B. melitensis (12%) were isolated. C. burnetii (2.5%), Toxoplasma gondii (12%), Border disease virus (3%) and Blue Tongue virus (9%) were identified in fetal serology. B. melitensis (12%), Salmonella (8.5%), Campylobacter spp. (1.7%), Leptospira spp. (2.5%), Chlamydia abortus (25.6%) C. burnetii (14.5%), and T. gondii (6.8%) were detected by PCR. C. abortus was the most frequent pathogen detected by PCR (25.6%). The present results showed the studied sheep flocks are infected with the most important abortifacient pathogens which emphasize the demand for more investigations for the detection of abortion causes based on the different geographical regions using simple and sensitive methods. Epidemiological and risk factors contribute in ovine abortion is further necessary.