Preliminary evidence of the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Chlamydia abortus infection in goats on the Canary Islands, Spain

Abstract

The aims of this cross-sectional study were to estimate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against Chlamydia abortus, the cause of enzootic abortion, in goats and to determine its associated risk factors on the Canary Islands. A total of 325 goats from 11 non-vaccinated herds were sampled and assessed using a commercial ELISA kit. Related data were also obtained for further statistical analysis and associated risk factors to seropositive flocks. For comparison, abortion rates between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated herds were compared. The overall seroprevalence of the unvaccinated herds was 33%, which can be considered as high when compared to other European regions. Associated risk factors such as herd size, management system, diet, and manure removal frequency were found statistically significant. However, no significant differences were found in the abortion rates between vaccinated and non-vaccinated flocks, indicating that other microorganisms could also cause abortions in goats on the region. Despite this, the seroprevalence of C. abortus is relatively high in this limited survey of goat herds and may pose a threat to both human and animals on the Canary Islands.