An outbreak investigation of Chlamydial abortion and infectious keratoconjunctivitis in goats of Punjab

Abstract

Chlamydiosis is a highly contagious abortive disease of sheep and goat caused by Chlamydia abortus, and characterized by necrotic placentitis, metritis, retention of placenta and abortion. Chlamydia spp. is also a major cause of keratoconjunctivitis in small ruminants. This study investigated an outbreak of abortion and keratoconjunctivitis associated with chlamydial infection in a goat flock in Punjab. Nine goats (7 does and 2 kids) were clinically affected among which 5 does had aborted the fetus in their last month of gestation. -All the affected goats had corneal opacity and bilateral keratoconjunctivitis. Evaluation of haematological parameters revealed reduced haemoglobin (7.44±0.13 g/dL) and increased TLC (16518±1050 x103/μl) and relative neutrophil count (55.33±3.59 %), suggestive of bacterial inflammation. Cytological examination of conjunctival smear revealed intracytoplasmic basophilic elementary bodies indicating chlamydial infection. Furthermore, numerous degenerated neutrophils along with few lymphocytes indicated ongoing inflammation of conjunctiva. The affected does and pregnant does in the farm were administered long acting oxytetracycline @ 20 mg/kg, intramuscularly, for two times at fifteen days interval. The kids were treated with 150 mg of oral chlortetracycline powder. Remission of clinical signs were observed within 15 days of treatment, without any subsequent abortion in pregnant does. In conclusion, cytological examination of conjunctival smear confirms the diagnosis of chlamydial infection, and oxytetracycline stood very effective against chlamydiosis in goats.