Detection of Chlamydophila abortus in sheep abortions in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province using Nested PCR

Chlamydophila abortus، the aetiological agent of enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE) is a major cause of lamb loss in many sheep-rearing countries throughout the world. Usually the first clinical manifestation of disease is abortion in the last 2–3 weeks of gestation or when the ewe gives birth to stillborn or weak lambs. Because Chlamydophila does not grow in vitro، organisms usually are not found by routine diagnostic tests. Therefore، it is recommended to detect antigen or genome. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of these bacteria in aborted sheep fetuses in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. Samples included 48 aspirated liquid from abomasums of aborted fetuses during two lambing seasons، 2011- 2012. The samples were tested by Nested PCR to identify specific 16S rRNA sequence. In this study، EAE accounted for around 52% of all diagnosed abortions. It suggests that C. abortus was a main abortion agent in tested samples and caused considerable reproductive losses particularly in areas where flocks were kept closely congregated during lambing season. Therefore، due to the severe economic losses and the risk of human infection، more research should be planned and done for prevention and control of C. aborus infection.