Aborto infeccioso em pequenos ruminantes no Estado de Pernambuco : aspectos epidemiológicos, sorológico, molecular e anátomo-histopatológico

Abstract

The objective was investigating participation of the Chlamydophila spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in reproductive disorders and identifies risk factors associated to infection for these agents in goat and sheep in the regions of the Coastal Zone of Mata and Wasteland of the State of Pernambuco. Serum samples were collected from 290 animals, from which 123 were sheep and 167 goats, in 12 properties, to search antibodies anti-Chlamydophila spp, using Complement Fixation micro technique, and from 262 animals, being 167 goats and 95 sheep to search antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii, using Indirect Imunofluorescent Antibody technique. Questionnaires were applied to owners to identify risk factors associated to infections. Samples of 23 goats and sheep aborted fetus, stillborn and newborn were used to investigate causes of abortion. Tissues were processed for histopathology and PCR examination. Frequency of animals serum-reagents for Chlamydophila spp was 10,3%, with 12.0% for goats and 8.1% for sheep, It was identified 11/12 (91.6%) focus of infection. All flocks had animals serum-reagents for T. gondii, and frequency of positives was 31.7% for goats and 16.9% for sheep. Risk factors associated to Chlamydophila spp infection for goats were breed (OR=9,10), intensive handling (OR=6,41), the milk exploration (OR=3,19) and natural breeding (OR=3,77). Risk factors associated to T. gondii infection for goats were intensive handling (OR=2,40), milk exploration (OR=2,10), animals originating from other states (OR=7,89) and natural breeding (OR=5,69). The most frequent anatomic and histopathologic findings in fetus were presence of serohaemorhagic fluid in thoracic cavity in 17 (73.91%) fetus, subcutaneous edema in 10 (43.48%) fetus, serohaemorhagic fluid in abdominal cavity in 7 (30.43%), in pericardial sac in 9 (39.13%) and subcutaneous hemorrhage in 8 (34.78%) animal ones; vascular endothelium reaction was seen in lungs, heart, liver, kidney, spleen and brain in nine (39.13%) fetus. Five fetuses (21.74%) had presented compatible injuries with toxoplasmosis as mummification (4/5) and focus of necrosis in placenta and brain (1/5). Search for Chlamydophila spp DNA in fetal tissues was negative for all the samples. One concludes that infections for T. gondii and Chlamydophila spp is widely spread in goat and sheep flocks studied and that Toxoplasma gondii is involved as cause of abortions in these species. Sanitary measures must be adopted to control risk factors identified in this study.