CHLAMYDIA-PSITTACI INFECTION IN COWS AND EWES IN NORTHERN BADEN-WURTTEMBERG

The excretion of Chlamydia psittaci by cows and ewes in herds and floc ks experiencing fertility problems was studied to elucidate the potent ial sources of infection for the transmission of this pathogen. The pr evalence of infection in cows, as determined by testing of samples of genital swabs, placentae andfetuses, using the capture ELISA was 37% w ith 73% of the herds infected The corresponding values for ewes and fl ocks were 71% and 87%, respectively. The complement fixation test (CFT ) on sera revealed an 8% prevalence and the ELISA a 40% prevalence of the cows sampled, and herd prevalences of 45% and 91%, respectively. S erological examinations of ewes revealed a prevalence of 22%, using th e CFT, and 64% using the ELISA, with flock prevalences of 74% and 91%, respectively. The zoonotic significance of C. psittaci is discussed.