Investigation of Chlamydophila spp. in dairy cows with reproductive disorders

Abstract

Background: Reports worldwide indicate high prevalence of Chlamydophila spp. infection in cattle. To assess the prevalence in Sweden, 525 cows in 70 dairy herds with reproductive disorders was investigated.

Methods: To detect antibodies two commercially available kits were used. Moreover, 107 specimens, including vaginal swabs, organ tissues and milk were analysed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Results: Two (0.4%) cows were seropositive in the Pourquier Cp. abortus ELISA. The seroprevalence with the Chekit ELISA was 28% with no difference between cases and controls. Five specimens were positive in real-time PCR and further analysed by nested PCR. Cp. pecorum was confirmed by partial omp1 DNA sequencing of the nested PCR product of vaginal swabs from control cows.

Conclusion: The results suggest that Cp. abortus infection is absent or rare in Swedish cows whereas Cp. pecorum is probably more spread. They also suggest that Chlamydophila spp. are not related to reproduction disorders in Swedish cattle.

Figure 1

Results of Pourquier^® Cp. abortus ELISA serology in 525 Swedish dairy cows from 70 herds with reproductive disorders, sampled during January 2000 to December 2005. The dotted line shows the cut-off value. The seroprevalence among cases was 0.4% (2/286) and among controls 0%.

Figure 2

Results of CHEKIT^®-Chlamydia enzyme immunoassay serology in 525 Swedish dairy cows from 70 herds with reproductive disorders, sampled during January 2000 to December 2005. The dotted line shows the cut-off value. The seroprevalence among cases was 28% (81/286) and among controls 28% (67/239).