Abortion in large number in sheep caused by toxoplasmas

The authors report the diagnosis of abortion in sheep caused by toxoplasmas in Hungary in connection with abortion in large number in a sheep stock Ab ortions started in January 1999 in the eastern part of Hungary in a sheep s tock of 400 ewes. Previously 80 yearlings were bought to the holding from d ifferent places. 20% of the animals bought had abortion. Abortion occurred in the second half of pregnancy and only among the newly bought animals. Altogether 5 foetus and foetal membranes were examined in laboratory. Durin g routine bacteriological and mycological cultural examinations no organism causing abortion in sheep was demonstrated. During the serological examination of ewes aborted antibodies against Toxop lasma gondii were demonstrated by latex agglutination. The results of serol ogical examination for the purpose of demonstrating antibodies against Bruc ella, Leptospira, Chlamydia and Coxiella were negative. For the purpose of histopathological examination the sections made from brain, foetal membrane , liver, kidney, skeletal muscle and myocardium fixed in formaline of 10% w ere stained with haematoxilin eosin. In the brain focal necrotic encephalit is and around the central necrotic focus proliferation of glia cells and al l over in the substance of brain mononuclear infiltration were found. In th e skeletal and heart muscle focal and diffuse mononuclear inflammation was observed (Figure 2 and 3). During the immunohistological examinations polyclonal anti-Toxoplasma gondi i serum (Biogenex), DAKO ISAB 2 KIT and AEC (3-amino-3-ethylcarbazole, SIGM A) chromogen were used. In the foetal membrane strong, in the brain weak positive reaction was obse rvable during the immunohistological examination. In the cells of cotyledon developmental forms of Toxoplasma gondii and pseudocysta-like formations w ere demonstrated (Figure 4 and 5). On the basis of histopathological and im munohistological examinations abortion caused by Toxoplasma gondii was diag nosed.