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Veterinary research communications2005; 29 Suppl 1; 37-49; doi: 10.1007/s11259-005-0835-1

High prevalence of chlamydial (Chlamydophila psittaci) infection in fetal membranes of aborted equine fetuses.

Abstract: Seventy-seven cases of equine abortion from 49 Hungarian farms that occurred between 1998 and 2000 were investigated for the presence of chlamydiae by immunohistochemistry, PCR and/or MZN staining. Evidence of the presence of these bacteria was obtained in 64 cases (83.1%) from 41 (83.7%) different farms. Partial ompA gene sequencing of PCR products revealed that the agent was Chlamydophila psittaci. Based on the findings of microbial diagnosis, pathology and case history, chlamydial infection was considered to be the most likely cause of abortion in at least 11 (14.3%) cases. In the remaining 53 Chlamydophila-positive cases, either other bacterial and viral agents (n = 22 or 28.6%) as well as non-infectious factors (n = 14 or 18.2%) were identified as more probable primary causes of disease, or the role of chlamydiae remained unclear because lesions in fetuses and fetal membranes were absent (n = 17 or 22.1%). When chlamydial antigen was detected in aborted equine placental tissue using immunohistochemistry it was seen only in the chorionic epithelial cells, but not in other parts of the fetal membranes nor in any of the fetal tissues. In conclusion, chlamydial infection of the genital tract should be considered a possible factor in equine reproductive disorders.
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Publication Date: 2005-06-10 PubMed ID: 15943064DOI: 10.1007/s11259-005-0835-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article studied 77 cases of horse abortions from 49 Hungarian farms to investigate the presence of a bacterial infection, Chlamydophila psittaci. They found evidence of this bacteria in 83.1% of the cases and found that the infection was the most probable cause of 14.3% of these abortions.

Research Study Procedure

  • The research was conducted on samples collected from 77 equine abortion cases across 49 different farms in Hungary, during the period 1998-2000.
  • The presence of a certain type of bacteria, chlamydiae (specifically Chlamydophila psittaci), in the fetal membranes was investigated using various techniques, including:
    • Immunohistochemistry: a laboratory method that uses antibodies to check for certain antigens (substances that cause an immune response) in a sample of tissue.
    • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): a technique used to amplify small segments of DNA.
    • MZN staining: a special staining technique used in the identification of certain types of bacteria.

Research Findings

  • Evidence of chlamydiae was found in 64 out of the 77 cases (an 83.1% prevalence rate) from 41 different farms – a farm prevalence rate of 83.7%.
  • After sequencing the ompA gene in the PCR products, the researchers identified the specific agent as Chlamydophila psittaci.
  • Taking into consideration the microbial diagnosis, pathology, and case history, the chlamydial infection was seen as the most likely cause of abortion in at least 11 out of the 77 cases, i.e., a 14.3% causative rate.
  • In the remaining 53 chlamydia-positive cases, the primary causes of disease were other bacterial and viral agents in 22 cases (28.6%), non-infectious factors in 14 cases (18.2%), or unclear in 17 cases (22.1%) due to lack of lesions in the fetuses and fetal membranes.
  • The chlamydial antigen was found only in the chorionic epithelial cells within the placental tissue, not in other parts of the fetal membranes or fetal tissues.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that a chlamydial infection of the genital tract can be a potential factor in equine reproductive disorders, emphasizing its prevalent nature.

Cite This Article

APA
Szeredi L, Hotzel H, Sachse K. (2005). High prevalence of chlamydial (Chlamydophila psittaci) infection in fetal membranes of aborted equine fetuses. Vet Res Commun, 29 Suppl 1, 37-49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-005-0835-1

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 0165-7380
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 29 Suppl 1
Pages: 37-49

Researcher Affiliations

Szeredi, L
  • Central Veterinary Institute, Tábornok u. 2, H-1149 Budapest, Hungary. szeredil@oai.hu
Hotzel, H
    Sachse, K

      MeSH Terms

      • Aborted Fetus / microbiology
      • Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology
      • Animals
      • Chlamydophila / isolation & purification
      • Chlamydophila Infections / epidemiology
      • Chlamydophila Infections / veterinary
      • Chlamydophila psittaci / isolation & purification
      • Extraembryonic Membranes / microbiology
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / microbiology
      • Horses
      • Pregnancy
      • Prevalence
      • Psittacosis / epidemiology
      • Psittacosis / veterinary

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      This article has been cited 17 times.
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