Detection of the genome of Chlamydophila abortus in samples taken from the uteri of 304 sheep at an abattoir.
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.
Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, South Wirral CH64 7TE.
E
E
Michalopoulou
A J
AJ
Leigh
L G
LG
Cordoba
D000003:Abattoirs; D000034:Abortion, Veterinary; D000818:Animals; D023501:Chlamydophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014599:Uterus / Q000382:microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial