Chlamydial (Enzootic) Abortion

• • Enzootic abortion in sheep is caused by the bacterial pathogen Chlamydia abortus

• • The disease is variously known as Enzootic Abortion of Ewes (EAE), Ovine Enzootic Abortion (OEA), chlamydial abortion and ovine chlamydiosis

• • C. abortus has an affinity for the placenta (afterbirth) which is damaged by the invading pathogen and can lead to abortion or the birth of weak lambs

• • Aborted lambs, placentas and vaginal discharges from infected ewes are heavily contaminated with C. abortus and are a danger to other susceptible sheep and to pregnant women

• • Prompt isolation of aborted ewes, destruction of their placentas and dead lambs and disinfection of the abortion site are essential for limiting spread of infection

• • Ewes that have experienced enzootic abortion develop immunity to the disease which protects them from disease in subsequent pregnancies

• • Enzootic abortion may be prevented by vaccination and/or buying replacement stock from sources known to be free from EAE
    Currently there are 3 vaccines (two live and one inactivated) available in the UK

• • Management practices to keep a flock “clean” can be supported by joining the Premium Sheep and Goat Health Scheme (EAE accreditation)

• Oxytetracycline can be used to treat in-lamb ewes during an outbreak to reduce the number of abortions

Moredun has a major programme of research aimed towards understanding the pathogenesis of C. abortus in sheep and developing improved methods and strategies for the management, diagnosis and control of infection.

The aim of our research is a better understanding of the immunological mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis as well as the identification and characterisation of chlamydial components that interact with the host, with a view to the development of improved vaccines and diagnostic tools.

The development and commercialisation of a Chlamydia abortus diagnostic bloodtest has been a major achievement. The test allows for accurate diagnosis of the disease by offering high specificity and sensitivity of detection. The test detects the presence of antibodies to C. abortus in blood samples from infected sheep using an indirect ELISA technique.

Specific objectives include:

• • Identification of the immunological correlates of protection

• • Identification of mechanisms of disease pathogenesis in the placenta and uterus

• • Identification and characterization of chlamydial pathogenicity factors, such as those of the type V secretion system (BBSRC Project BB/E018939/1 – funded through the Combating Endemic Diseases of Farmed Animal Species initiative)

• • Development of improved serological and molecular tools for the specific detection of chlamydial species

• • Investigation of the protective efficacy of candidate vaccine antigens in pregnant mouse and sheep models of infection towards the development of new vaccines

• • Conducting deep genome sequencing of C. abortus strains to investigate strain variation in collaboration with the Sanger Institute (BBSRC Project BB/E018939/1)

• Studying the prevalence and pathogenesis of novel Chlamydia-related organisms in UK cattle (BBSRC IPA Project BB/J015083/1)

• BMGF project, Supporting Evidence-Based Interventions (SEBI): Causes and extent of mortality of domestic ruminants in Tanzania.

Scientists at the Moredun Research Institute are working closely with colleagues at the University of Glasgow and colleagues from several organisations within Tanzania in order to determine the significance of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydia as infectious causes of abortion in sheep, cattle and goats in Tanzania.

• Genome Sequencing Project (BBSRC BB-E018939-1)

In collaboration with the Sanger Institute

• Chlamydia related bacteria (BBSRC IPA Project BB-J015083-1)

Funded through the Combating Endemic Diseases of Farmed Animal Species initiative.

• BBSRC IPA project (BB/J015083/1), Studying the prevalence and pathogenesis of novel Chlamydia-related organisms in UK cattle.