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Title: IMMUNOCYTOLOGIC DETECTION OF CHLAMYDIA PSITTACI FROM CERVICAL AND VAGINAL SAMPLES OF CHRONICALLY INFECTED EWES

Author
item PAPP, JOHN - UNIV. OF GUELPH, CANADA
item SHEWEN, PATRICIA - UNIV. OF GUELPH, CANADA
item THORN, CATHY - UNIV. OF GUELPH, CANADA
item Andersen, Arthur

Submitted to: Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Chlamydia psittaci is a bacterium that can cause abortion in a number of animals and humans. It is considered to be a significant cause of reproductive failure in sheep and goats in many parts of the world. C. psittaci often produces a chronic infection following abortion. Chronically infected sheep are a source of reinfection in many flocks. Detection of chlamydia during the chronic phase is difficult. Procedures to detect the chlamydiae in cytology specimens from cervical swabs were developed. Increased numbers of infected cells were detected at the time of ovulation in the estrus cycle. This test will make it possible to identify chronically infected sheep so that they can be removed from the flock.

Technical Abstract: An immunocytologic method was developed for the detection of chronic Chlamydia psittaci infection from the reproductive tract of ewes. Vaginal and cervical samples from 8 infected and 2 non-infected ewes were stained with a C. psittaci-specific monoclonal antibody. Cells containing C. psittaci were only detected from the 8 infected ewes, and the level of detection varied with respect to the estrus cycle. An increased number of infected cells were observed during the peri-ovulation period, thus indicating an optimal window for detection.