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. 2022 Aug 15;10(8):1647.
doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10081647.

Co-Infection of L. monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii in a Sheep Flock Causing Abortion and Lamb Deaths

Maria Elisabetta De Angelis  1 , Camillo Martino  2 , Alexandra Chiaverini  1 , Chiara Di Pancrazio  1 , Violeta Di Marzio  1 , Serena Bosica  1 , Daniela Malatesta  1 , Stefania Salucci  1 , Nadia Sulli  1 , Vicdalia Aniela Acciari  1 , Francesco Pomilio  1
Affiliations

Co-Infection of L. monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii in a Sheep Flock Causing Abortion and Lamb Deaths

Maria Elisabetta De Angelis et al. Microorganisms. .

Abstract

Abortion in livestock is a public health burden, and the cause of economic losses for farmers. Abortion can be multifactorial, and a deep diagnostic investigation is important to reduce the spread of zoonotic disease and public health prevention. In our study, a multidisciplinary investigation was conducted to address the cause of increased abortion and lamb mortality on a farm, which detected a co-infection of Listeria monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii. Hence, it was possible to conclude that this was the reason for a reduced flock health status and the cause of an increased abortion rate. Furthermore, the investigation work and identification of the L. monocytogenes infection root allowed the reduction of economic loss.

Keywords: L. monocytogenes; T. gondii; abortion; sheep.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Brainstem section. In Situ detection of Listeria monocytogenes antigen (green color) and cellular nuclei (blue color), scale bar: 25 µm.
Figure 2
Figure 2
cgMLST of the 15 L. monocytogenes strains.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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