Small Ruminant Abortive Chlamydiosis in Morocco: Epidemiological Value of an rELISA Kit of Chlamydophila abortus (Chlamydia psittaci Serotype 1)

Abstract

Recombinant ELISA (rELISA) based on the 80 to 90 kDa Chlamydophila abortus specific protein and developed at INRA Nouzilly France was studied in Morocco. Three hundred and seven sera from five groups of sheep and goats were tested. The animals either came from farms with high abortion rates or were presented for veterinary control. Results were compared with those obtained with the complement fixation test (CFT) and revealed great differences between the two techniques. Only 16 sera were positive with rELISA versus 130 positive with CFT. In particular, out of 55 sera from aborted animals, 48 were positive with CFT versus 16 with rELISA. This brings to light the question of the role that Chlamydophila pecorum plays in small ruminant abortions in Morocco. A differential research of diseases caused by Chlamydophila abortus and Chlamydophila pecorum is necessary to specify the differences observed between rELISA and CFT.