Sero-epidemiological survey on infectious abortions of small ruminants in Mauritania

Abstract

A sero-epidemiology study of abortive diseases of small ruminants in Mauritania was conducted from October 1984 to March 1985. Sixty-five p. 100 of the herds show an annual rate of abortions up to 4 p. 100 and more although no other noticeable pathology could be brought to evidence among aborted females as well as among young animals. Caprine have an average rate of abortion higher than ovine. As far as the serological results are concerned, enzootic abortion shows the highest percentage of positivity (15 to 30 p. 100), and then Rift Valley fever (10 p. 100), Wesselsbron disease (8 to 17 p. 100) and Q fever (1 to 4 p. 100). The screening for brucellosis and abortive salmonellosis antibodies was negative. An examination of eventual correlations between the characteristics of abortion and seropositivity of females to chlamydiosis and Q fever stressed the following: 1. There is a strong correlation between the infections factor and the abortive phenomenon; 2. Three abortions out of 10 can be attributed to this infections etiology; 3. Primiparous/multiparous and unique/multiple characteristics do not seem to be due to the infections factor. Infection due to the Rift Valley fever virus could be related to an abortive or neonatal pathology. The probable role of other etiologies, particularly the nutritional factors are briefly discussed.