DETECTION OF SEROLOGIC ANTIBODIES AGAINST Chlamydophila abortus IN TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE EXPOSED TO RISK IN OVINE FARMS IN XALATLACO, MEXICO

Abstract

Chlamydophila abortus (Cp. abortus) is the bacterial etiologic agent of the ovine enzootic abortion; zoonotic relevance rises during handling of ill animals.  The present work estimates the prevalence of serum antibodies against Cp. abortus in groups of people at risk of infection derived from working activities, and estimates possible risk factors involve in the infection. A transversal study was conducted in two groups of exposed people. In Group A 86 sheep flock owners or workers were included. In Group B 52 veterinary doctors were included. Antibody titers were determined by rELISA assay, additionally it was asked to people sampled to answer a questionnaire to establish risk factors. Overall serum antibody prevalence against Cp. abortus in both groups was 6.52% (IC95%, 3.02-12.01%). According to the risk group, people from group A was 4.45% (IC95% 1.28 – 11.48) and in group B 9.62 (IC95% 3.19 – 21.02), according to gender prevalences were 5.07% (IC95% 1.99 – 11.29)and 1.44% for women and men respectively; no differences were found (P>0.05). It is concluded that serum anti Cp. abortus antibody prevalence in relatively low among sheep flock owners, workers and veterinarians and no significant differences were found among possible risk factors.