Detection of the genome of Chlamydophila abortus in samples taken from the uteri of 304 sheep at an abattoir
- E. Michalopolou, DVM, PhD, MRCVS1,
- A. J. Leigh, BSc, PhD2 and
- L. G. Cordoba, DVM, MRCVS3
Abstract
A pcr was used to detect the genome of Chlamydophila abortus in samples of uterine tissue collected from 304 sheep by a sterile technique at an abattoir. The stage of pregnancy of the sheep was determined by measuring the dimensions of the embryo/fetus, and its morphology was recorded. Only samples from non-pregnant sheep and sheep up to 100 days of gestation were retained; the clinical history of the animals was unknown. The total prevalence of the chlamydial genome was 30·9 per cent, with a significantly higher prevalence in the pregnant animals (46·9 per cent). Higher detection rates were recorded during early gestation than during mid-gestation.
- British Veterinary Association. All rights reserved.
